Margo Martindale Reflects on Filming Million Dollar Baby with Clint Eastwood

Actress Margo Martindale recently shared her experiences working on the 2004 sports drama, Million Dollar Baby, directed by Clint Eastwood. Speaking with Brent and Jonny on Dropping Names, Martindale discussed Eastwood’s distinct directing approach.

Eastwood, who is now 96, allows actors to determine when scenes commence instead of calling ‘action.’ Martindale described how Eastwood’s longtime crew operated, noting, ‘They had worked together so long, that group of cameramen and all that.’

He would just say, ‘Start when you want to.’ And he’d do this [mimicking turning finger like a camera rolling], she recalled. So you just started when you wanted to.

Martindale further mentioned Eastwood typically filming only one or two takes. She humorously attributed this to Eastwood’s eagerness to get to the golf course.

The film features Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank, centered around a waitress from Missouri training at a Los Angeles boxing gym. Eastwood portrayed her trainer. Million Dollar Baby achieved critical acclaim, winning four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress for Swank, and Best Supporting Actor for Freeman.