How David Lynch Unlocked People's Potential
Where others saw a block of marble, he recognized the sculpture hiding underneath
In 1985, David Lynch had his sights set on his next movie, Mulholland Drive. The psychological thriller follows the story of an aspiring actress (Betty) who crosses paths with a woman suffering from amnesia after a car crash (Rita), and their attempt to unravel the mystery behind the accident.
Lynch generally had an interest in casting relatively unknown actors for his movies; he saw something in them no one else did. Even if the casting director would object and say, ''I don't think this person can act'', Lynch would end up picking them if he had a good feeling.
Mulholland Drive was no exception, Lynch invited an unknown actress to audition. With few offers coming her way and a lack of self-confidence, she was shocked to be even considered. After only a brief exchange Lynch thought, ''She's perfect, she can do it''.
Although the casting director and the actress herself didn't see it, Lynch saw something in her that made her perfect for the role. He had his Betty.
That unknown actress was Naomi Watts, who since has grown to have an extremely successful Hollywood career.
What did David Lynch see in this unknown actress? And most importantly, what did he do to bring out the potential that others, even Naomi Watts herself, were completely blind to?
Transforming Naomi Watts
David Lynch had an incredible ability to get a sense if someone was the right person for a role. As an unknown actress, Naomi Watts had been auditioning for 10 years with no breaks; each rejection deepening her wounds and creating feelings of desperation. This was the character Lynch was looking for; an aspiring actress struggling to make sense of the traumatic events transpiring around her.
Watts' life story essentially matched Betty's character, which Lynch was able to recognize from the start.
As the audition went along, Watts was nervous and unsure what to make of it. She even stopped herself and asked if Lynch really wanted to hear about her story. But his eyes lit up with interest and beaming with light he exclaimed, ''Yes, tell me the story!''. Watts was shocked. She felt like they were two equals and someone was interested in her. That hadn't happened before.
''I had no faith in my ability at that point and my self-esteem was at an all time low. I did walk out with the sense that something great had happened, and I was grateful for the experience.''
By being genuinely interested in her, he made her feel comfortable enough to open up and be herself, and left her feeling valued.
Later when the production had begun, they had to film a graphic scene. ''How do you masturbate in front of an entire film crew?'' Watts thought anxiously, which led her to develop intense stomach problems. Unable to handle the pressure she pleaded, ''I can't do this, David, I can't do it!'', and tried to postpone the scene for another day. He wanted angry desperation and intensity, so he knew she had it in her. All she needed to do was to go through with the scene. ''No, Naomi, you can do it'', Lynch reassured and gently pushed her, giving her space to take her time.
Although she was frustrated, Lynch was able to take her to a place she hadn't been, and produce a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
After Mulholland Drive premiered in May 2001 at Cannes to critical acclaim, Naomi Watts' life was never the same again.
''It was all because of David. He literally changed my life. [...] David is just one of a kind. He loves actors, and you trust him and want to give anything and everything to him, and you want to please him. He radiates good energy and I always feel well taken care of when I'm with him.''
Potential, Caring and Growth
This story is not unique to Naomi Watts. In fact, her story is the rule and not the exception. From his earliest days of filmmaking until the end, Lynch repeated a pattern with everyone he met:
He saw potential where no one else could
It didn't matter who you were; a world famous actor or one of the film crew, Lynch saw something in people that made them perfect for a particular role.
''David works from his gut and it's all intuition, and he can get a great performance out of anyone,'' Watts explained. ''Sometimes he'll turn to someone in his crew and say, 'Here, put this costume on,' and next thing they know they're speaking pages of dialogue.''
He took care of the people around him
Lynch's love, compassion and caring extended to everyone.
''I remember thinking, If I only ever work for one director, this is the person I want to work for,'' script supervisor Cori Glazer said of Lynch. ''I fell in love with his creativity, and he's got the hugest heart of anyone I know. [...] He's always cheerful, at the end of the day he thanks people, and he knows everyone's name on the crew, down to the lowliest PA. If one of them brings him a cup of coffee he'll look them in the eye and say, 'Thank you, Johnny, thank you so much.' ''
And pushed them to grow and reach their potential
In the TV series Twin Peaks, Grace Zabriskie plays a grief-stricken wife who needs to put in an extremely emotional performance. In one scene, Lynch wasn't getting the performance he was looking for, so he continued insisting on another take. ''I went over the top seventeen takes ago!'', she snapped. Despite her frustration, Lynch knew she had a deeper performance to give, and wanted the actress to reach that potential. By gently asking if she had another one in her, he finally got her there.
''You don't realize how much you're withholding until you work with someone who doesn't want you to hold back'', Zabriskie recalled.
David Lynch was beloved by many. Everyone he crossed paths with had something overwhelmingly positive to say about him, even thought he pushed them at times. He didn't behave in a certain way to get praise or attention. He simply believed in people, treated them with love, and they loved him back.
What made him a great director of movies was the fact that he was, first and foremost, a great director of people.
The Lynch Method
If you want to have a positive impact on the people around you, follow David Lynch's example:
See the potential in everyone
Everyone has something to offer. Even if others don't see it or they don't see it themselves. The most impactful thing you can do to someone's life is to notice what their potential is.
Because there's always something there.
Take care of the people around you
Whether it's someone under your wing or not, try to do the best you can for them. Help them, support them, make them feel valued.
Once they feel safe and taken care of, you have room to nudge them forward.
Gently push them to grow
Seeing potential and making people feel valued isn't enough. Most of the time people need a push to grow. That doesn't mean making them suffer, but it does mean challenging them; setting a higher standard and not giving up on them until they reach what you think they're capable of.
By doing so, you'll help the people around you grow in ways that they never imagined, and do things they didn't know they were capable of doing.
Where other people see a block of marble, try to see the sculpture hiding underneath. And understand that all it needs is a bit of chiselling.
Details about the events, quotes and excerpts are from Room to Dream, David Lynch's memoir with Kristine McKenna.
Footnotes
Kyle MacLachlan's friendship with David Lynch. Kyle MacLachlan Mourns David Lynch: 'I Owe My Entire Career, and Life Really, to His Vision', by Rachel Raposas (January 16, 2025)
David Lynch's impact on the people he worked with. My friend David Lynch, by Ariana Morgenstern (January 16, 2025)
Naomi Watts' life turned around after meeting David Lynch. Naomi Watts Remembers Her Friend David Lynch, video by LiveKellyandMark (January 21, 2025)
Naomi Watts remembers her time with David Lynch during Mulholland Drive. Naomi Watts Says ‘Mulholland Drive’ Director David Lynch “Put Me On The Map”, by Anthony D'Alessandro (January 16, 2025)
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