Actors often make specific requests on set — some demand particular lighting, others insist on certain props, and some even have preferences about how they are filmed. Geoffrey Rush, who portrayed Hector Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean, was no exception, paying close attention to the smallest details of his character.
If you rewatch the Pirates films with a focus on Barbossa, you’ll notice an intriguing pattern — he is positioned on the left side of the screen in most scenes. This is not a coincidence but a deliberate choice made by Rush himself.
If you think it was simply about finding his 'good side', think again — Rush took it a step further. He wasn’t just looking for a flattering angle; he wanted to ensure that the audience’s attention was drawn to him first.
Rush firmly believes that viewers naturally 'scan' a scene from left to right. By positioning himself on the left side of the screen, he ensured that the audience’s eyes landed on him before anyone else. His request to directors and cinematographers was clear: keep him on the left side of the frame so that he would be the first character to catch the viewer’s eye.
