Hi Reddit! Oscar Isaac and T Bone Burnett here - star and music producer behind the new Coen Brothers movie INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, ask us anything!

Oscar: You play music and/or sing in a lot of your movies. Was acting what you always wanted to do or was there a time where you humored the idea of being a musician?

Also, Drive is one of the best movies of the last few years. I almost just asked you "Where's the deluxe version?"

T Bone: I love your work, especially on Crazy Heart and O Brother Where Art Thou. Where do you keep your well-deserved Academy Award?

Good luck this awards season, guys. I'm rooting for you.

Thanks man. I never separated music and acting, i always did them simultaneously. It wasn't until i went to drama school that I left the band thing behind to focus on acting... but I have always and will continue to write and record music.

Punch Brothers. Actual superheroes or just the most badass musicians around?

One night the Punch Bros played nearly all of In Rainbows just sitting around the living room. Superheroes.

Was Llewyn meant to sound like a particular folksinger or was he more of a mish mosh?

Llewyn is entirely a fictional character, however certain elements of Dave Van Ronk's life and his repertoire of music were major inspirations

I was lucky enough to attend the "Inside Llewyn Davis" concert at Town Hall in NYC. T Bone, amazing job on the event. One of the most unforgettable concerts I've been to. Oscar, what was it like to share a stage with the likes of Joan Baez, Patti Smith, etc.?

Terrifying, humbling and the most harrowing moment of my life.

What, for each of you, were the most rewarding parts of your work in this movie? What were your biggest challenges?

Developing a friendship with Joel, Ethan and Tbone was far and away the most rewarding part of working on the movie. That and getting to have a vinyl with my songs on it was pretty friggin cool too.

Thanks in advance for the AMA!

I absolutely loved the movie, it was unlike anything the Coens have done before. I must ask, T-Bone, what was it like working with the Coens again, and Oscar, what was it like working with the Coens for the first time?

It was amazing to work with those dudes. They are relaxed, and genuine and incredibly funny. Dream come true.

I loved you in "10 years." One of the best movies I've ever seen. I have your song on every playlist i make now.

Thanks! I like your handle.

Oscaar Isaac, name 1 actor and 1 actress you'd like to work with.

T Bone Burnett, who is your favorite film composer?

Both, what are your favorite Christmas song?

Gene Hackman, Fran Mcdormand. Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PzetPqepXA

T-Bone:

I've loved all of your work (esp. O Brother). What was it like working with Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers? They're personal favorites of mine and I couldn't have been happier to hear them on this soundtrack.

Edit: Oscar, same question to you. Didn't realize you recorded "The Shoals of Herring" with them.

Chris is a monster. And i fell in love with those dudes. Ive had the opportunity now of playing with the Punch Bros many times and its made me so much better. In fact Gabe Witcher and I have been getting together ever since and have been writing some tunes. Perhaps one day we'll share what we come up with.

T Bone, are you just smoking joints throughout the filming of Another Day, Another Time?

Oscar Isaac, after many years of telling myself I'd learn how to fingerpick, I've finally got "Green Green Rocky Road" down pretty good. Thanks (and thanks to DvR, who's instructional video is just what I needed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMJRI_neSlU)

The show was really great, and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie very much. You guys are great.

Yeah, its pretty awesome that there is a video of Dave Van Ronk teaching how to play some of his songs. That was a life saver.

Oscar you've worked with a lot of amazing directors including Soderbergh, Scott, Refn, and now the Coen brothers how do each of these directors differ in their creative process?

Soderbergh shoots it himself. No video village (tent with monitors) Wild and chaotic. Lots of energy. Scott is a General. Tactics and logistics. He's a painter too. His canvas is a wall of monitors and his palette is a walkie talkie. Refn is a punk rocker. Willfully subversive. Taught me a great way of looking at scenes - "If the script says the character walks through the door, i think why does he not come through the window, up through the floor etc." He figures out everything its not first. The Coens are the greatest American Folk artists working today. They create a community of artists with no ownership over a good (or bad) idea. The most relaxed, joyful and rewarding experience I have had.

Hey Mr. Isaac, I first want to say that I absolutely love your performance in this movie. Truly heartbreaking and amazing. I'm a huge Coens fan and Inside Llewyn Davis is now one of my favorites. Also, I've been listening to the soundtrack non-stop since I saw this, so thanks to you and Mr. Burnett. Amazing job on the music.

How much of the performances in this movie are live on set? Les Miserables kind of revolutionized the way music on film sets is handled but the final project seemed awkward and not fully rewarding. However, the performances in this looked live but also avoided the awkwardness of Les Miserables. Were they live and, if so, how do you think you (and the Coens and your production sound mixer) succeeded where others failed? If Mr. Burnett can add anything to that, I'll be thrilled to hear what you have to say as well. I'm a film sound guy so all of that stuff is fascinating to me.

Also, on a more artistic note, how do you, Mr. Isaac, feel that this film fits in to the Coens overall filmography and philosophy? What parts do you think further delve into their psyche, their ideas? I know the Coens will never answer a question like this but I'm curious if someone on the inside has any further vision into their work as a whole. The auteur threads of the Coens are one of the most confusing and enlightening and enjoyable topics for me in current cinema.

All of the performances with the exception of the Auld Triangle were performed live. It was crucial, particularly for Llewyn's character who is so focused on authenticity, that when he plays its for real. Had you been able to tell I wasnt really playing the guitar, or lyp-synching the whole thing would come crashing down. We didnt use any click tracks either or ear wigs so it was really like walking a tight rope with no net. I was able to lock into the rythym with little variation which allowed for Joel and Ethan to cut freely from take to take in the editing room. The Coens, through the mouth of Barton Fink, stated their manifesto early on - "I want to make theatre of the common man!" and thats what they've always done. They examine existence, in all of its tragedy and absurdity through the eyes of the commoner. Not so interested in the nobles. I also think that every character in a Coens movie think theyre the smartest person in the room.

Oscar: How did you get the part for Inside Llewyn Davis? Looking forward to seeing the film!

I auditioned. Once for the Casting Director, Ellen Chenowith, and then once for the Bros. A month later they called and offered the part. Thanks!

Oscar, thanks for a great performance. The story hit me hard, as I am constantly struck by doubts as to my own ability as an artist, and the real possibility of failure. It seems to me like for you, and the Coens, this specter might never go away no matter how successful you become. Did you draw on any personal experiences as a performer to embody Llewyn's conceit and doubts?

Blessed Unrest, as Martha Graham says, is the curse of the true artist.

What was it like acting in a film with so many musical performances?

It was a great challenge. Llewyn is a guy that's pretty shut off emotionally so the songs became an important part of showing a window into who he really is. Instead of a soliloquy explaining what he's feeling he sings a song.

T-Bone: do you have a hair product sponsorship? What do you use?

I think he's a Breck girl.

[removed]

yes. my teeth.

Oscar: Dunno if you're answering questions not related to this movie, but I'm wondering about your character in The Bourne Legacy, who was pretty fascinating even given the lack of screen time. Did you have a whole back story worked out for him – how he ended up in the program etc?

Yeah, I developed a backstory with Tony for Agent 3. We figured he'd been alone in that remote cabin for at least 3 months. He's going a l;ittle out of his mind so he is both wary of a new person but also desperate for some interaction. I had a great time working on that.

How was it working with Carey Mulligan?

I love that lady. Was so happy to get to work with her again.

Favorite songs from the movie/soundtrack?

I like Shoals of Herring a lot.

Oscar, You said you were in a band. What was the name, genre, and are there any recordings out there? P.S. If you don't win a shinny little golden version of yourself something just isn't right. They named that after you, correct?

I was a musical whore. I had lots of bands of every genre growing up. On the world wide web there may be some recordings of my two ska/punk bands - The Worms and The Blinking Underdogs. After that Ive been part of a duo called NightLab which has a bunch of stuff up on Soundcloud, experimental rock/electronic stuff. And then a bunch of acoustic stuff on the youtubes.

Oscar: Outstanding work in Inside Llewyn Davis, one of my favorite films from recent years especially from your performance. Besides the obvious Dave von Ronk, did you or the Coens have any filmic precedents for your character, or were there particular films that you watched to help craft Llewyn's portrait? Or did you just focus on historical figures for it?

Thank you! Many elements went into forming Llewyn for me, people from the time, a friend of mine , struggling musician that played with Van Ronk and still lives on Macdougal St., a poem called bluebird by Charles Bukowski and Buster Keaton. He in particular embodies the idea of Comic resilience. And his melancholic gaze regardless of his circumstances was a big inspiration.

Oscar: Just heard you on Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me yesterday. You must tell the entire story of the girl who took "Llewyn Davis" home. Specifically, how did you break it to her that you're not actually a lonely weirdo, but a normal friendly person.

I was seduced by all the laughter into divulging a bit too much of my personal life. I can say no more other than I am only a slightly less lonely weirdo than Llewyn.

What were you first Paid SAG gigs? How did you prepare for this role?

My first speaking role was in All About the Benjamins with Ice Cube.

Oscar: How was it like working with Soderbergh on Che and acting with F Murray Abraham?

F Murray was delightful. He was so happy to be there. Only worked the one day. He is an amazing talent. And so great in the role.

T Bone - Which are easier to work with in the studio, as a producer, actors or musicians?

Oscar - Who made the decision on the corduroy jacket? How much input did you have with character development?

Mary Zophres is the costume designer. She and I got together a month before shooting and landed on his look very quickly, particularly the shoes. We showed Joel and Ethan, they dug it and I wore the clothes everyday before we started shooting. Its his second skin. The Coens allowed for as much input as I was willing to give which was a lot.