Breaking Bad Q&A: Bryan Cranston

This talk conatins SPOILERS if you are not caught up with Season 5A.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center recently hosted free screenings of every currently available episode of the critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad. Along with these marathon screenings, the Film Society held panels during which the show's cast chose two favorite episodes, discussed their experience with the show, and answered audience questions.
Here, Bryan Cranston, who plays central character Walter White, speaks with New York Magazine's Matt Zoller Seitz. Cranston talks Walter's core, playing a character honestly, and the ease of performing great writing.
00:48 - Bryan greets crowd
01:29 - Moderator asks first question (before Malcolm in the Middle, Cranston was known as Robert DeNiro type) Cranston - as an actor, you want to be able to display all emotions.
04:42 - Moderator mentions Dick Van Dyke's praise for Bryan Cranston at a TV Critics award event
05:26 - Cranston brings physical comedy to that particular episode of Breaking Bad (fly swatting), and he begins to talk about well-written scripts. "Always follow the well-written word"
07:24 - Moderator: So you're not one of those actors who are only interested in his/her character? Cranston: "They are fools." "Everyone loves a good story"
08:11 - Cranston on not reading the scripts ahead; not jumping to know all of Walter's twists and turns
10:00 - Relationship between Walter and Heisenberg. Who is the puppet and puppet master? Cranston talks about tighty whities in Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad, the emotional core of Walter, his depression, imploding, the body language of Walter and Heisenberg.
15:30 - Sopranos: "Depression is anger turned inward." Walter is Willy Loman in many ways. Why was Walter was a teacher? To avoid criticism from friends and colleagues.
18:40 - Was Heisenberg dormant in Walter White the whole time? Every person in this room could become dangerous given the right set of circumstances.
21:32 - Anger management. Walter starts to walk out of the room but then his ego won't let him let things go. Cranston: "How can this man leave Leaves of Grass on the toilet? Walter became impulsive and is no longer as careful as he used to be, same reason for killing Mike."
23:40 - Walter's hair is growing back but he decides to shave his head anyway: significant of Walter liking who he has become.
26:14 - The body language of Walter vs. Heisenberg. "I AM THE DANGER"
29:36 - Is Bryan Cranston able to let go of Walter at the end of shooting day/season? Cranston: it should be difficult. Actors have to pay that price. When you show vulnerability, you are embraced. On Jane's death, and how it changed from original script.
33:45 - Allowing yourself to show ugliness as an actor; portraying honesty
35:15 - Audience Q&A - On Aaron Paul, teaching younger actors he works with to appreciate the job, have fun, and be grateful
37:17 - Walter loses fear of death and gives him bravery to do things. Example: when Walt defends Jr. in a clothing store. As a man, the need to provide for his family was the # 1 motivating factor to do something risky for the first time in his life.
40:49 - Bryan's future plans; doing theatre and playing Lyndon B. Johnson
42:36 - Bryan talks about his Breaking Bad tattoo
45:02 - "Do you prefer to be bald or have hair" Bryan doesn't care what he looks like in real life. He can't dress himself. Vince Gilligan says Bryan "grew hair faster than any man he ever met in his life."
47:08 - Bryan on physical releases: screaming in the crawl space or after the explosion at Tuco's
50:57 - Bryan doesn't believe in the "tortured artist" approach to work.
52:35 - The funniest moment of the show - when Jesse and Walt are stranded in the desert and Jesse asks Walt to build a robot.

[@philipp236]

You clearly don't know who you're talking to, so let me clue you in. I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot, and you think that of me? No! I am the one who knocks!

[@whiteysstudio1298]

+Walter White 1 4 8 3 6 to the 9 representin the ABQ What up, Biatch

[@carstereobandits]

+Walter White I have dipping stick..

[@liambailey9100]

Walter White

[@daenerystargaryen1599]

Walter White I'm the one who knocks. Bitch

[@harshchoudhary9623]

@@whiteysstudio1298 leave it at the tone

[@queseraseraozi]

According to me, currently he is one of the best actor and also he is one of the most modest actors...

[@vanessafarias3244]

Sir Anthony Hopkins said it was the best performance he’d seen.

[@NidzShah-ps6kr]

Bryan Cranston, one of the most talented actors I know!

[@smittylikesto]

he is one of the most likable actors if you watch his interveiws. hes so modest.

[@SamuelSaveli]

He has so good hair

[@happinesshotel5375]

If you watch the breaking bad commentaries, Bryan cuts everyone off, he comes across most of the time as a narcissist. I think he's a very nice man, he loves meeting the fans, and he will always sign and autograph, unlike some actors. It just confused me when watching the commentaries.

[@smittylikesto]

@@happinesshotel5375 wow i wrote that a long time ago.

[@Blitz-dm3kv]

@@happinesshotel5375 You need to realise what sarcasm is. Bryan is playing around with everyone in the commentaries. They're all in on the joke.

[@ymann22]

I could listen to Bryan Cranston all day long, what a great mind.

[@user-yn7yo1co3k]

Amen!

[@Z3RO19]

Malcolm in the Middle is so fucking underappreciated, it's one of the funniest shows of all time, in my opinion, but nowadays, nobody talks about it anymore. And it's not only funny, it feels real, and although it's silly and over-the-top, you still care for the characters and take their problems seriously, that's what makes it so good, I think.

[@MrMaximumprime]

Z3RO19 In France it's on 24/7

[@TheDaddySlash]

I've loved Bryan Cranston since the first time I saw him in Malcolm in the middle, that's a 5 star show, and Bryan was so perfect in it, all the actors were, but to be honest in comparison the worst of all was Malcolm, he was so plain and shit and as Frankie was getting older he was ever worse, in comparison to the other characters, but still it was a fantastic show, but of course BB is at another level

[@thatshowitsdone8740]

“We’re done, When I say we’re done” In Saul’s face.... Quality

[@thehighone3175]

Nd thts how it's done

[@BrianNewberry]

GOD BLESS Bryan Cranston for (at 5:50 on the time line) appropriately acknowledging the writers of a project - those unsung heroes, who are so often get lost in the shadow of great actors. In this case, Cranston reminds us at 6:31 - "it's always about the writing".

[@jessepinkman4150]

yo, Mr. White.....Lets cook some crystal yo

[@lefv249]

no...bitch

[@shhtha]

Yo!..

[@deptusmechanikus7362]

You are not the guy, you're not capable of being the guy! I had a guy but now I don't. YOU. ARE NOT. THE GUY!

[@b1zika]

The shit you cook is shit

[@thehighone3175]

Yo junkie bitch

[@6BURG9]

"Focus on the overall story-telling. This is a component that we have enjoyed since the beginning of our memories. Dragging a book to our parents, asking them to read us something. We have always wanted to be told a good story. And then, if you're lucky, you can become a story-teller as well as a story-listener".

[@johngallagher9786]

my God i thought it was a cliche to say that Cranston is one of the best actors of all time, but not only by seeing his performance in breaking bad but as well in listen to him about acting the cliche is confirmed.

[@shabztaste9872]

Could listen to Bryan cranston talk forever ,very insightful an interesting.

[@Devosimms]

Hal as Walter is amazing.

[@HaiTran-fi1uc]

Walter White for President. Or Walter White for professor of my writing class in college.

[@1casupe]

depression aspect of walters character... OF COURSE... what a great interview...

[@spodybanjack8800]

Makes me unspeakably happy that Cranston's so invested in his role. He's surprisingly insightful! A mind as incredible as his voice (I love his voice).

[@GabberHeadzNL]

I AM NOT IN A METH BUSINESS I AM IN EMPIRE BUSINESS!!!

[@okdok3742]

"im not in the meth business....im in the empire business"

[@virginieb20]

This is one of the most interesting and in-depth Q&A I've ever seen.

[@thomassharoniard4629]

I'm won over by this interview's charm which shows off how much Bryan Cranston is endowed with a great intelligence to sheds light on the perception we have to reach to get the richness of this fascinating job. I think we can easily guess the pride that he got in front of so many attentive and admiring students and he is right : his work in Breaking Bad retranscribes the man experience's spectrum who explores every extreme aspect of his finally terrifying but moving heart.

[@sillyone52062]

Bryan Cranston now dies in almost ALL of his movies!

[@kinnikuchu]

If... and only IF that's true - then maybe your best course would be to tread lightly.

[@IPreciousMemoriesI]

I really love Mr. Cranston's thinking. He's amazing, thanks for sharing this!

[@mikemiller5637]

I learned more about acting from Bryan Cranston in this one interview than in all the Inside the Actor's Studios ever made.

[@fl1pm1ster]

he is such an articulate, honest and genuine person. so inspirational.

[@Omanaite]

Bryan actually goes into Heisenberg voice when describin scenes in detail. He's absolutely, profoundly into it. I love that.

[@jonathanw4750]

This guy is an icon. I just watched BB for the 1st time - June 2020. Late to the party. I started with Better Call Saul and got hooked.

[@1casupe]

YES, given the right set of circumstances, i believe we all could become walter whitish... excellent description of that transition.... i'm not sure that the interviewer grasps this .... but YES

[@WithASideOfFries]

He never touched that water bottle once.

[@Jonixx95]

WithASideOfFries miight have ricine in it...

[@Sziszy72]

I'd love to see him playing together with Michael Fassbender. That would be a hell of a show or a movie. These two are my favorite people to watch, doesn't matter what they are in. Their charisma, sensibility, intelligence and humbleness just pours out of their skin and go straight to their characters. I wish I had time to watch BrBa earlier! But finally I listened to the W.W.'s admirers;) 7 season in 2 weeks! And I'm sure I wasn't the craziest;) And I just ordered the whole series so I can watch it again with the extras. I'm officially addicted! And I love it:)

[@nikolatesla7356]

INCREDIBLE!!! Bryan Cranston should be a philosopher! Everything has a meaning... EVERYTHING!

[@WithASideOfFries]

It is utterly amazing how Cranston and Gilligan are so well-spoken and can justify and illustrate each and every little detail that plays into the show.

[@yoomazir]

it just hit me, he doesn't have the greatest voice, but I could listen to him all day.

[@HellowKittyChild]

Bryan Cranston is an amazing person and actor.!! I like listen to him.!! In my eyes he has a genius mind as a actor, he knows what he does and shows us all what he can.!! Long live Heisenberg^^

[@Mantiskova]

Bryan's a genius. Very interesting interview.

[@vrzM8]

That train of thought at around 20:40 is eerily true

[@0ktchau]

Someone should teach the interviewer how a cardioid mic works.

[@DeeArtist321]

I think that Walter became a teacher because he had an urge to speak and be heard, to talk about things he used to be passionate about, just to keep that flame alive... After Gretchen left him for his best friend, and Skyler got pregnant with first child, he stepped back, too afraid to fight for what he really wanted in life - to explore chemistry. Writing on blackboard let him re-live that moment with Gretchen for years, like Groundhog Day - so the teaching was some kind of devotion to his platinum love.

[@KarinaBelkina]

Wright now I am watching breaking bad again, the third time:)

[@loganyu7117]

Bryan is so fucking awesome. It’s just so obvious that he really cares about his work and he deserves all the praise he’s gotten.

[@lopolik]

Oh yeah, for me that was also funniest scene when Jesse said the robot. lol

[@AndreyAndreyevich]

54:30 so arguably the most hilarious moment on the show was done despite the producers' will and out of improvisation huh) great

[@BestFilmproducer]

33:40 I like how cool he is in this interview, and how he very much gives the impression that he really does care deeply about his craft, acting. I will be looking to him for inspiration, ideas and hopefully more great movies and tv shows in the future xD

[@jeffzimmerman3106]

WW kept Leaves of Grass because of his ego. He couldn't bear to throw away something that heaped praise on him. The whole being of WW wanted admiration and praise.

[@phototristan]

Next time get your audio gain higher.

[@musikk83]

its more like, "next time speak the questions in the right direction into the mic!"

[@Mrcantfapenough]

Say his name.

[@viktorjohansson9107]

Mrcantfapenough HEISENBERG

[@Mrcantfapenough]

You're god damn wrong. His name is Bryan

[@viktorjohansson9107]

Mrcantfapenough I said HESIENBERG

[@Christian_from_Copenhagen]

This was wonderful to watch! Informative, inspiring and immensely interesting.

[@Parallel_World__]

Breaking Bad is my all time favourite series.... But I must admit, towards the end of the season, I had deeper and warm feelings towards Jesse more than Walter... Jesse caught my eye when he had the thing for children....I mean how heart warming is that!! Walter too was my favourite at the beginning but towards the end I loved Jesse more....Nevertheless brillian art work, excellent detailing in the entire series.... Kudos to the entire team really...

[@flyforce16]

Bryan Cranston makes me want to become an actor.

[@fabersoul_beats]

his vince gilligan impersonation is brilliant

[@TheNeoParody]

thank you so much for these videos, the questions were great and Bryan is one of the most inspiring actors I've ever seen

[@aleksagoldfieldrodrigues2603]

hes just incredible

[@DamienSpeirsChannel]

He's a genius of an actor.

[@seanspeckart7681]

Saw Breaking Bad, all 5 seasons in 3 days couldn't enjoy a show more than this, It has it all, Bryan Cranston is Walter White.

[@desiralph9418]

What a great guy.

[@casparlake3458]

Bryan Cranston is like one of those celebrities I wanna meet before I die. Such an inspiration and brilliant actor!

[@benrindlisbacher7823]

hes soo smart!!

[@xGl0CKxNiN3x]

"ILL FUCKING NAIL YOU.. YOU WANNA GO?!!?" HAHAHAHAAHH hilarious guy

[@flickmybic7174]

This was utterly fantastic. The best TV series of all time in my opinion.

[@CaptainArrrgh]

Just like when he went into that building with the explosive crystals, they thought he was helpless, and he turned the tables on them. So the first Heisenburg moment was echoed in the last.

[@AndreyAndreyevich]

if anything, he has an amazing voice and uses it very well

[@CaptainGirthy]

I love his passion for acting, it’s why I think he’s one of the best actors, if not THE best (and human beings) in the world.

[@IAmShepherd]

Always fun to see these kind of things! Thank you

[@antman31815]

Bryan Cranston is technical and insightful as he is analytical: definitely my favorite actor!

[@scheepalicious]

I love this man.

[@betsy1947]

GREAT interview! Thanks for posting it.

[@PCWalters1]

Yeah mr white yess science

[@Odysseusx86]

Great Q&A, Bryan is awesome as always :D Just wish the audience were more into it, they were awkwardly silent at times

[@hanigan000]

What a genuinely fascinating interview!

[@omukssbm]

Always appreciate a good interviewer

[@ZenShroud1]

Misread the title, thought this was something with Opie and Anthony. Either way, stayed for Bryan and Breaking Bad.

[@Rosanne707]

Fantabulous interview!

[@MadisonPanno13]

what a brilliant guy

[@AnnaBerry590]

16:51 I'M SO HAPPY THEY SAID THIS I was thinking so much about the comparisons of Breaking Bad and Death of a Salesman in my head for so long

[@ZaydDepaor]

Cranston is a deep actor, true craftsman. Nice to see an actor who puts much thought into their role and its wider socio-psychological implications

[@lalee33]

he's highly intelligent I really enjoyed this video! Just emotionally mature like a fine wine!

[@root9065]

I think after I'll finish watching all these interviews and inside peeks, I'll watch the whole show all over again (already did it twice), just for the kicks of it. Because now I can see it from Bryan's point of view as well.

[@DavisSchulz]

awesome guy!!

[@bimmyfrizzo3988]

I think I heard somewhere matthew broderick and john cusak were one of the first choices to play walter white for BB. They turned the part down and bryan cranston accepted the role! For someone who plays the goofy father in malcom in the middle, Bryan cranston was born for this role!

[@myinfinitesadness]

I love him even more

[@Patrick96322]

I just love that man so much !

[@yassineletaief9194]

The interviewer did a great job with the questions !

[@TheOutsider69]

Please... We need Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor! And how about this final season of BB yeah? Holy crap! Crazy stuff! D:

[@CaptainArrrgh]

I like how the scenario at Tuco's place was repeated for the end.

[@LAMCL23]

This man is so right, everything he says makes good sense.

[@ztveng]

Wired handheld mics for a 1 hour interview? And please elevate those cameras to eye level.

[@narzeg]

I wish i could be on a lecture like this live.

[@TheChloetse]

He even nailed his Vince Gilligan impression

[@anasberhab711]

If you didn't see breaking bad, than maybe your best course would be to tread lightly

[@kinnikuchu]

How does a Nobel prize winner becomes a High School teacher? I mean, lots of big companies will want you to work for them as a researcher or something :S

[@nalapala_]

🤯 never thought of that

[@FLFofficial11]

definitely his lowest point.. other than poisoning brock, faking marries accident, blowing up an old peoples home, forcing jesse to kill gale

[@MrSliceFTW]

Population of my town is exactly how many views this video has right now.

[@erinmalone2464]

Wow, I don't think I could picture living in a place that small. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it actually sounds kind of cool. But I've spent my life in Los Angeles. I just don't know if it's a lifestyle I would know anything about.

[@thethreeengineers1813]

Erin Malone Yea you would, even if you're in a city of 50 000 000, you wouldn't grasp the difference...

[@erinmalone2464]

Well... I'm not sure about that. I did live in Mesa, AZ for 3 years, which is part of Phoenix and that's supposedly not a small city. But it did feel pretty lonely. We'd go for a drive on a Friday night and no one would be out on the road. So I guess I do have experience with a place that was slightly smaller, but it was just so lonely. Although maybe that was just the lifestyle people had there too. There were a lot of Mormons and I think they all went to bed early every night or something.

[@walterblack1588]

brayn cranston is really a awsome guy

[@friedrichderkleine5460]

loved the whole wire and robot story. that was a hilarious scene..

[@breakbad9753]

26:16 FINALLY. Ive been wanting an interviewer to ask this question forever !!

[@CaptainArrrgh]

Glad to see Hal is back

[@abersan6520]

A fantastic actor and person!

[@rdoetjes]

@7:00 I agree wholeheartedly that the story needs to be the driving force. Unfortunately Hollywood Tent-pole blockbusters think it is VFX. Prometheus for example is visually stunning but the story was poor at best. There would've been so much more it could have been and I wanted it to be. The Martian (now produced) is a very good story and I know the movie will be great. Even if the had not had an A-list lead. I can get over mediocre acting because if a story is compelling you will find yourself associating with the situation. But if the situation is not created (written) properly even the best actor, director or VFX artist can't bring that scene to live.

[@TheAwesomeCookieJar]

tough audience

[@connorshaw-case6030]

my god some of the things bryan says is so thought prodng and sounds so magestifc

[@SrSacaninha]

Such a great video, but I wish that guy held the mic right. I'm having to mess with my volume controls here.

[@vijeta100]

Bryan Cranston, truly one of the greatest actor alive.