The movie took 12 years to make, 12 years with young Ellar Coltrane growing up, from age 6-18. Richard Linklater wanted to capture the full scope of a kid’s childhood.

Another child who went through this is Linklater’s own daughter, Lorelei, who co-stars in “Boyhood,” playing the older sister.

“Boyhood” suggests that the “7-Up/56 Up” films’ thesis, “Show me the boy at 7 and I’ll show you the man,” works. Reserved, curious Mason at 6 and 7 is still reserved, curious, distracted and arty at 18-19.

I’m wondering about how the experience made the kid more self-conscious. His performance improves over the course of the decade+2. What questions do you have for the filmmaker (“Dazed and Confused,” “Me and Orson Welles,” “Waking Life”) and his star? Comment below and thanks for the help.