My Perfect Trio at the "Bachelorette" Premiere
Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 5:30PM [Editor's note: Please welcome our special guest star writer/director Leslye Headland, exclusive from her press tour for Bachelorette! -Nathaniel]
Hello blogosphere!
I've been in Los Angeles the past few days for press and the premiere of my film, Bachelorette. However, I have to say the highlight of this week is a guest spot on The Film Experience. I used to be an assistant and every day I would read this blog. And every day it would make me feel like life was worth living and that film was the primary reason to keep going. So thank you to Nathaniel for asking me to contribute but ultimately thank you for running this site and bringing joy to little cinephiles everywhere.
Me kissing Rebel's ring. As I should.
In the comments, someone asked if the three leading actresses in my film Bachelorette (Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, and Isla Fisher) were my first choice for those roles.
I don't write with specific actors in mind. I also LOATHE auditions. Whether it be for a play or a film, a lead role or a small one-line character. I just don't like them. When I work with my theater company in Los Angeles, I usually just meet with someone whose work I love, who I think might work in the role, then we have dinner or coffee and discuss the character and the script. Then I usually go back and tailor the roles for their specific strengths and incorporate any changes that came out of our discussions.
I cast the film the same way. All three of them contacted me either because they saw the play or because they'd read the script. We talked. We fell in love. We moved forward. All three of those girls are actresses I admire. Women I've watched from afar (as a rabid fan) over the last ten years. So yes. They were my first and only choices because I was lucky enough to get in a room with them and talk them into doing it.
Lizzy, Kirsten and Isla at the LA premiere
All three of them contacted me either because they saw the play or because they'd read the script. We talked. We fell in love. We moved forward.
I can't imagine a more perfect trio. They are not only hard workers and hysterically funny but they are also, in my humble opinion, three of the most brilliant (and occasionally grossly underrated) actresses of our generation. I am eternally grateful to have met and worked with them.
More from Leslye
Formative Movies from Childhood On...
Working with Lizzy and Adam on a Pivotal Scene
Reader Comments (9)
If only all TFE readers (TFE army? TFE nation? let's give ourselves a name) could go on to make amazing films like you did...
I can dream.
This blog definitely needs more ring-kissing! Thanks!
Deborah - lol. agreed. what have I been thinking?
Amir -- one of you will. I know it! Rise up Film Experience Peoples.
Leslye -- i'm kind of stunned whenever anyone suggests that they'd prefer to just chat rather than audition the contenders. But then I guess auditioning is much different than "being" and maybe it helps to just be... especially for the right 'fit' for certain roles.
Ahhh working with Kirsten Dunst. One can dream.
amazing that she's a regular TFE reader!
Isla Fisher is cute incarnate. Take this as proof (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1fJ0G8Bnfc)
Such an interesting idea -- not writing for a specific actor, but revising almost to your shared concept or understanding of the character. Love it when writers open a small window into their processes...
God, I LOVED this movie and these girls were just perfection! Seen it three times now, and each time a different one of the main three is my fav. Isla Fisher's line readings are beyond hilarious. That rehearsal dinner speech gets me every time for some reason. Lizzy is just so great at balancing the emotional and comedic sides of her role. And Party Down Reunion! Just fantastic. Kirsten won me over the last time w/ that tour de force of crisis management the morning of the wedding. I just know this is going to be one of those comedies I end up watching year after year.
I'm not going to lie, the only thing I can think of at that picture of the three of their perfect little faces is "And once again, the day is saved by...THE POWERPUFF GIRLS!!!"