Anna Kendrick on How She Pitched Herself as a Director for ‘Woman of the Hour’

Anna Kendrick on How She Pitched Herself as a Director for ‘Woman of the Hour’

As a fan who has followed Anna Kendrick‘s career from her early days in musicals to her successful acting roles, it is truly inspiring to see her take on the challenge of directing with “Woman of the Hour”. Her dedication and passion for this project are evident, as she not only took on the role of an actress but also pitched herself to become the director.


Anna Kendrick is talking about her approach for landing the director’s position in the upcoming Netflix movie, titled “Woman of the Hour.

This gripping crime drama, helmed by director Kendrick and penned by Ian McDonald, is loosely inspired by the real-life events surrounding notorious serial killer Rodney Alcala. Played by Daniel Zocatto, Alcala gained brief fame when he competed on and even won an episode of ‘The Dating Game’. However, it was later in life that he earned the chilling moniker, ‘The Dating Game Killer’.

At first, Kendrick was only involved as an actress, but she eventually expressed interest in becoming the director. However, she made it clear that she would only accept the role if the producers believed it was the optimal choice. As she explained to The Hollywood Reporter at the L.A. premiere, “I felt so passionately about the movie that I was prepared to do whatever was best for the film, even if someone else was in the director’s chair. I was perfectly fine with that.” Kendrick, who portrayed Cheryl Bradshaw on The Dating Game in the film, shared this sentiment.

Kendrick humorously remarked that the pitch she gave may have been among the most indecisive in Hollywood history, as she’s not skilled at feigning self-assurance. Once she secured the role, there was a single director whom she reached out to for counsel.

Interestingly, the very first person I contacted was Paul Feig, who’s known more for his comedy films such as ‘Bridesmaids’. This is amusing because he’s involved in a movie about a serial killer,” Kendrick clarified.

She expressed great admiration for him as both a filmmaker and a collaborator, yearning for his insights. He, in a way, had a firm yet caring approach towards her, which was more like tough love. It was a frank conversation with no room for excuses, where accountability lay solely on her shoulders. For that reason, she is extremely thankful to him.

The actress-director acknowledged her cast and team for their crucial role in the project’s success. She expressed gratitude towards them, stating, “I was truly immersed in a sea of exceptionally skilled and encouraging individuals. They were the primary reason why things didn’t crumble under pressure as often as they might have.

As a fellow admirer, I can’t help but echo the sentiments of my castmates. “I simply have nothing but praise for her. She’s an exceptional leader,” I find myself saying about her. “Being an actress herself, she truly grasps the journey it entails.

Nicolette Robinson, portraying Laura in the movie, stated: “In her world, she’s an outstanding scholar, consistently earning top grades.

Multiple actors found the movie’s female perspective compelling enough to join the production. As Kelly Jakle, one of the cast members playing Sarah, put it, “I’m thrilled that this tale is being portrayed from the viewpoint of the victims. I believe this approach challenges traditional serial killer narratives and pays tribute to the victims.

Pete Holmes, acting as Kendrick’s neighbor on screen, appeared to share the same sentiments. He expressed it this way: “As a dad of a girl, it felt important to convey a message beyond just another horror flick.

Kendrick expressed her desire to direct another project, but she’s still uncertain about what it will be. She admitted that it’s difficult to discover something she feels equally passionate about as the one she just completed, titled “Woman of the Hour.” She confessed that she struck gold with this script, and undoubtedly with the cast and crew, making it hard for her to find another project she loves as much.

Woman of the Hour premieres Oct. 18 on Netflix.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-10-12 06:57