Taxi Driver reunion: Martin Scorsese says Jodie Foster brought confidence and authority to set

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese looked back on working with Jodie Foster in the 1976 classic Taxi Driver recalling that the then 12yearold actor carried herself with remarkable confidence and authority on set according to PeopleScorsese 83 joined Foster 63 actor Robert De Niro and screenwriter Paul Schrader for a special 50th anniversary screening and panel discussion on Taxi Driver at the Tribeca FestivalReflecting on his early collaborations with Foster Scorsese said he first met her while working on his 1974 film Alice Doesnt Live Here AnymoreJodie its like so funny because when I first met you you came in a little office I had and just came saying hello for Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore Scorsese recalled according to PeoplePraising Fosters professionalism as a child actor he added She had more control on set and I kind of depended on her in a way She had authority Im not kidding an authority that was like Yeah Im gonna go there good Im thereIt was really quite quite quite supportive put it that way because it was all hard to shoot he said according to PeopleFoster who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for portraying the young prostitute Iris in the film said she retained several vivid memories from the production despite already having appeared in numerous projects as a child actorI remember there was a really funny moment seared in my memory where we went to the actual location and Marty was trying to explain to me how I was supposed to pull down his fly and then they couldnt stop giggling Foster saidAnd then Bobs like Im gonna Im gonna take care of it Im gonna tell her And then he would try to tell me what to do and then he would start giggling And then the two of them just couldnt stop laughing and they just couldnt give me a note because I think they were just so nervous that I was so young she addedDespite the challenging subject matter Foster said the filming experience felt enjoyable and creatively fulfillingIt felt fun It felt like a game and it felt important but also whimsical she said adding that she remembered Scorsese finding the films blood effects amusing according to PeopleFoster also reflected on her admiration for Scorseses work before joining the filmThe truth is I saw Mean Streets and I was a kid my mom went and took me to the movies She took me to Mean Streets and that was it I just wanted to be a part of this she saidSo anything that you would have offered me I would have done that And in fact I think I tried to be an extra in New York New York but it didnt work out because I was under 16 and they wouldnt let me work at night or something Foster added according to PeopleThe Oscarwinning actor also credited De Niro with helping shape her understanding of acting during the making of Taxi DriverRecalling a script discussion with the actor Foster said he introduced her to improvisation a moment she described as transformativeIt was like a light bulb went off in my head she saidI remember getting all like happy and I came home came up the elevator and came to the hotel and I knocked on the door and I said to my mom Oh my God I think I might want to be an actor This is amazing Foster recalledDuring the discussion Foster was also asked what advice she would offer aspiring filmmakers She said her career gave her a unique opportunity to learn directly from some of cinemas most celebrated directorsI was in a very special position as a child actor who got to look over the shoulder of all of these extraordinary filmmakers extraordinary directors and say Why did he do that Well why did he say that Well is that true or is that true And that really was my film school she saidNot just the fabulous Mr Scorsese but you know Spike Lee and just a million other people where I was able to be curious about their point of view Foster addedReflecting on the evolution of storytelling and artistic growth Foster said the most valuable lesson she learned was the importance of understanding and serving the stories of othersWhen youre young you make all of your art about This is me this is me this is how I feel this is how I look but youre also taking things in about everyone else she saidI think Ive come to understand that the best education I had was about looking at other peoples stories and saying I wanna hear that story Its not me How can I serve them How can I serve their stories that havent been told Its sort of that combination of selfhood that comes from being curious about other people Foster added according to PeopleThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever