Wow! Christian Bale has some anger issues!

[Tomader]

I really don't see anyone burning their Batman DVDs in effigy over this.

I will. You never know what people will do. When a person makes the amount of money these actors make you bet everything they do and say will be judged by the public.

 

[jenny105]

By all accounts he is a very dedicated actor and perfectionist. If you've seen El Machinista you know he will do anything necessary for a role.

I thought he was "cleared" on the mother/sister thing from a few months back. So, I would not say he needs anger management just yet. He sounds very frustrated that the lighting crew is not doing their jobs correctly.

(Yes, I am a huge fan)

I'm a huge fan too but there's no excuse to act like that. If I were a director, as good as an actor as he is, I would NOT want to work with him if that's how he is on set.

I never believed the rumors of the mother/sister assault but I don't think they're so far fetched anymore. Is he doing any damage control for this?

 

[Breezie]

If you search online this morning you will find that some ingenious sound engineer has mixed his tirade into a hip-hop/rap single. It is seriously one of the funniest things I've heard in awhile!! I would give the link but found out recently that even with warnings it will get you points to link to sites with profanity.

I heard it last night, it's so well done and hysterical!

 

[Stitchfans]

Sounds like he was unable to state his case without a tirade. On and on and saying the same thing over and over.
The guy apologised right off what more did he want, his job?

Honestly there is no excuse for this behavior.

I agree. There is no doubt he does have some serious anger issues.

 

[Nik's Mom]

If you search online this morning you will find that some ingenious sound engineer has mixed his tirade into a hip-hop/rap single. It is seriously one of the funniest things I've heard in awhile!! I would give the link but found out recently that even with warnings it will get you points to link to sites with profanity.

Too funny! Thanks for sharing. I think the creator of that clip has more talent that Christian Bale!

 

[agnes!]

Wow, *funny* clip.

agnes!

 

[TomLovesBecky]

Not exactly what I'm trying to say. Let me explain. What I am saying is that people just see this behavior as no big deal. We just become kind of immune to rude, offensive behavior and just shrug our shoulders. People yell and scream, push and shove, and it's no big deal. People get beaten on the street in front of witnesses and no one steps in. A pregnant woman gets pushed at WDW over a dang picture! And it doesn't seem to bother some people. In fact, excuses are made for the crazy behavior.

So, no I am not saying that you all would push over a pregnant woman. I'm saying that society has become so used to crazy behavior, that we will either stand by and watch, or make excuses for it. People are allowed to get away with such crazy behavior these days. It's very sad to me. 'Nuff said. I'm sorry if this bothers you though.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JenM]

I will. You never know what people will do. When a person makes the amount of money these actors make you bet everything they do and say will be judged by the public.

If I tossed out a DVD every time I heard someone acted irrationally behind the scenes, I wouldn't have any DVDs left.

 

[Deb in IA]

Jimmy Kimmel also had it "acted out" last night. Pretty funny.

 

[singingpixie]

Film sets, theater and I'm sure other places are not like your typical daily job. I've seen actors yell, cry, complain, freak out, scream, run away, have break downs. invent ridiculous conflicts, and throw things at people. I've seen directors, designers, and technicians have screaming matches.
I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying it happens. I don't participate, In fact I walk away if this happens.
And these are not A list peoples, in fact there may not even be a letter in the alphabet to classify them.

I am not saying it's all actors either, just that it has happened with many.


Youtube Lily Tomlin behind the scenes footage of I heart Huckabees. Check that rant/tirade out.

I've had the same kinds of experiences. For better or worse, the arts are full of highly strung people who get emotionally invested in their work, sometimes beyond the point of rationality. Not saying it's right, but these types of outbursts are pretty common in theatre and I'd assume in film as well. Honestly I don't think there's a show I worked on when I was working longer runs (as opposed to the shows I do now where a company can be in and out of our venue the same day) where there wasn't at least one exchange like this. Now with the quicker turnaround shows, it's probably maybe 10 times a year.

 

[Deb in IA]

I've had the same kinds of experiences. For better or worse, the arts are full of highly strung people who get emotionally invested in their work, sometimes beyond the point of rationality. Not saying it's right, but these types of outbursts are pretty common in theatre and I'd assume in film as well. Honestly I don't think there's a show I worked on when I was working longer runs (as opposed to the shows I do now where a company can be in and out of our venue the same day) where there wasn't at least one exchange like this. Now with the quicker turnaround shows, it's probably maybe 10 times a year.

Let me tell you, there are plenty of these types of incidents in the medical field too, probably because of the same personalty types - demanding, exacting, perfectionistic folks who are emotionally invested in their work.

The difference is that Bale got recorded, while most of these grown-up temper tantrums don't.

Remember Alex Baldwin's little tirade at his daughter Ireland?

And I'll bet that there are people here who don't look so good when they are having hissy-fits too.

 

[loco4dis]

Indeed. There is a very clear hierarchy on a film set, the DP is second only to the Director (and possibly the stars). I would hesitate to interfere (not that I would NEVER interfere, but I had better be darn sure I was willing to possibly lose my job) in a shouting match between two of the most powerful people on a set - they'd both turn on ME and I'D get fired.

Not what anyone wants in today's work climate. Whatever is going on in other industries right now, it's much MUCH worse in the film/TV industry.

I am gobsmacked by those who would indict an entire industry of at least several hundred thousand people for the behavior of a few.

agnes!

I did not "indict an entire industry," and you know it. I criticized the other INDIVIDUALS who were there and did not object to the abhorrent, abusive behavior. Bosses, underlings, I don't care. In MY workplace I'm not standing by while one colleague threatens to kick the a-- of another. That's not how I roll. Quit defending the indefensible.

 

[JenM]

Let me tell you, there are plenty of these types of incidents in the medical field too, probably because of the same personalty types - demanding, exacting, perfectionistic folks who are emotionally invested in their work.

The difference is that Bale got recorded, while most of these grown-up temper tantrums don't.

Remember Alex Baldwin's little tirade at his daughter Ireland?

And I'll bet that there are people here who don't look so good when they are having hissy-fits too.

Exactly. People act like that when they get cut off in traffic. Anyone ever work a customer service department? I have, and angry people aren't exactly throwing roses when they're unhappy with a policy.

James Cameron is reportedly a tyrant on his films - he even admits that he wants his sets run like a military campaign. The rumor is that during the filming of Titanic he had a strict no-food rule on the set, and once yelled at Leonard DiCaprio in front of the entire crew until he was in tears when he caught him sneaking food to a diabetic extra.

 

[jenny105]

Remind me not to ask that guy for an autograph.

 

[Scornelius]

I knew Feralpeg would have something good to say. I agree with you completely!

Well I guess you're no Batman then

*snork!*

An interesting take on the story. Warning AICN uses adult language. Read at your own risk.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39984

That's pretty much how I figured it all happened.


I really can't believe people are so upset about this. He lost his temper at a guy who is supposed to be a professional, who royally screwed up multiple times. I read this mistake made them work an extra 7.5 hours. I'd be really, really irked too. Plus, think of what was going on in Bale's life 8 months ago.

I worked in a printing shop with 3 men, and rants like this probably came every week or two. It wasn't a big deal. One guy would screw up, the boss would lose his mind while we all reset things, and then everything was fine. DH was in construction, and he says the same thing. I seriously think people are over reacting.

 

[luvsJack]

Regardless of why people get angry and how many people get angry it does not make it okay to talk to people like this.

I am not going to quit watching the guy's movies or whatever but I just don't excuse this kind of behavior because of a personality type. That just does not cut it. There are a lot of "highly strung" talented people out there who are emotionally invested in their work, there are many many artistic people in the world and many many perfectionist in the world. That does not make it ok. No more than it makes it ok for Brittany Spears to act like an unfit mom or Alec Baldwin to go off on his daughter the way he did (although at least he had the excuse of being drunk).

I just don't understand saying "its ok he is highly talented or high strung" or has some certain type of personality. None of that makes him better or more important than the next guy. It doesn't matter if he is an actor, a doctor or a lawyer--none of that makes it ok. Why do these personality "types" get away with it? Because everyone continues to excuse it and lets them get away with it.

Have I ever thrown an adult temper tantrum? Probably. The difference is I didn't verbally abuse anyone in the process. I just looked a fool yelling in my car with the windows rolled up, or yelling at my keys for not being where I left them or whatever. And if I have yelled at someone then that was not ok either.

Incidently, I really don't care whether this guy acts like this all the time or not. To tell you the truth, I don't have a clue who he is and do not plan to actually discuss this with anyone other than here. Its just not an important detail IRL. I was simply making a point on the behavior and that regardless of why and who, should not be excusable. Not a big deal to me though.

 

[agnes!]

I listened to the tape. The whole F-in thing! Christian Bale is either mentally ill, or a vicious bully. And the rest of the crew who stood there and let that tirade continue — not ONE person coming to that man's defense or telling Bale to shut it — well, what a bunch of cowards. They're just as bad as Bale is, in my book. Just. As. Bad. If this is how "actors" behave on Hollywood sets, however, and NOT ONE PERSON steps up to call them on their abusive behavior, well it certainly makes me understand Hollywood a lot more. What a bunch of useless, weak people. I'll never watch a film by this piece of human waste again. Couldn't stomach it. Out here where I live and work, it's the bully who unleashes the profane tirade against a co-worker who gets fired, not the other way around.

what about if your two bosses were going at it? That is a better analogy...
The DP IS in charge!!! LOL

BTW I am not defending CB... i am defending the crew....who you called "cowards"....

Indeed. There is a very clear hierarchy on a film set, the DP is second only to the Director (and possibly the stars). I would hesitate to interfere (not that I would NEVER interfere, but I had better be darn sure I was willing to possibly lose my job) in a shouting match between two of the most powerful people on a set - they'd both turn on ME and I'D get fired.

Not what anyone wants in today's work climate. Whatever is going on in other industries right now, it's much MUCH worse in the film/TV industry.

I am gobsmacked by those who would indict an entire industry of at least several hundred thousand people for the behavior of a few.

agnes!

I did not "indict an entire industry," and you know it. I criticized the other INDIVIDUALS who were there and did not object to the abhorrent, abusive behavior. Bosses, underlings, I don't care. In MY workplace I'm not standing by while one colleague threatens to kick the a-- of another. That's not how I roll. Quit defending the indefensible.

Actually, when I was finally able to listen to the entire tape just now I think I did hear some individuals (other than the DP) speak up. I would think they might have done so at probably great peril to their jobs. Mr. Bale ignored them and kept on ranting - maybe he's embroiled in 'roid rage, maybe he's just a jerk, maybe he was justified - I don't know. And perhaps I misinterpreted what you meant by referring to "the entire crew" as "a bunch of cowards" and "it [your reading of the incident] certainly makes me understand Hollywood a lot more" and [either 'Hollywood' or this film's crew] are "a bunch of weak, useless people"?

I'm glad you're righteous about this - people should take stands in their lives, but I guess you don't know me and I in turn don't really know you. You have no idea what I have stood up to and for in my life. If I am defending the indefensible in your eyes by saying there might be other considerations at play in this particular situation, then so be it. The next time you are in fear of losing your livelihood - and therefore you just hesitate for a *moment* and not immediately jump into a situation? - remember the cowards and useless people trying to support their families that you denigrated here.

agnes!

 

[Rebelmom67]

Interesting that you guys really don't see that he was out of line. Maybe that's why we hear such crazy stories over on the theme park board? I just read a thread where a 6 month pregnant dis'r was pushed because she made the mistake of stepping in the way of someone taking a picture. Our society is sick!

Count me as another one who doesn't see this as a big deal. The guy was having a bit of a tantrum, he is human, it happens.

How you connected a pregnant woman being assaulted to this, I'm not really sure, but good luck stretching it further.

 

[joviroxx]

The lack of standards in this country is alarming. The inability to hold people in the public eye who are our leaders and who hold a position to influence to some kind of standard is scary. This excuse that we are human, no one is perfect is such a cop out. Everything is ok because people just can't seem to behave properly or respect the fact that we are examples for generations of kids coming behind us. And we wonder why each generation is more and more out of control.

Yes, its just one outburst, big deal right? One inconsequential actor on a movie set. In the big scheme of things its nothing. That's how we seem to treat everything. Sorry, but to me its just a big cop out, rationalization for people to do what they want, when they want since nothing they do should matter to anyone else.

I don't care how angry and rightfully so you may be, try reacting that way to your employees or employers...lemme know how that works for you.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Count me as another one who doesn't see this as a big deal. The guy was having a bit of a tantrum, he is human, it happens.

How you connected a pregnant woman being assaulted to this, I'm not really sure, but good luck stretching it further.

Well, I don't know how else to explain it to you. Do I need to yell? O.k, I'm kidding on that part. I'm not trying to pick a fight with you. I think I made myself clear. If you don't get it, then you don't get it. Not much else I can do to clear it up for you.

I do see it as a big deal when people treat each other poorly. I'm going to quote what lovesJack said, because it really does support what I'm trying to say. "Regardless of why people get angry and how many people get angry it does not make it okay to talk to people like this."

People treat each other like garbage these days. I find it sad.