you could watch the full conversation in the video above, or you could read the transcript below.
PERRI NEMIROFF: Your movie is something else.
Many questions about writing this script, beginning with something I was reading in the press notes.
Image by Photagonist
VICTOR: During COVID, everything around me really slowed down.
Then, finally, when that made sense to me, I was able to really write it.
I think the world slowing down and time with myself [made me] realize, I’m good.
The structure works exceptionally well!
You said time, but you also said your cat.
I love being surrounded by my animals.
They make me feel warm and comfortable.
What is it about your cat that puts you in the right headspace to write?
He wants food and he wants love, and he wants to sleep in my arms.
Image via Sundance Institute
There is nothing like that.
He doesn’t talk, so I don’t talk to him much.
We just look at each other, and we’re like, It’s you.
Image by Photagonist
What’s his name?
I just have to put a name to the idea.
He’s in my hotel room right now.
I keep saying I can’t get a pet because I can’t travel with a pet.
Maybe I should rethink this!
VICTOR: you’re able to doanything.
I brought him to Paris once.
He did not like that!
It’s Barry Jenkins.
VICTOR: He is energetically incredibly high.
He operates on a very high frequency, so he’s incredibly optimistic.
He’s incredibly thoughtful.
He’s this combination of cheerleader and serious genius.
Whether you know it or not, this is directing.
These are the pieces of it that you would have to do on a bigger scale.
His belief in me has been incredible.
It’s been the thing that has led me to this, so I’m really grateful.
Everyone deserves a Barry Jenkins.
The beautiful, low-budget debut film from Barry Jenkins shows he was an auteur from the start.
I do have a burning question about what happened before you went into principal photography.
I was reading that while prepping to film this, you shot two scenes in a practice shoot.
What were those scenes, and why did you choose them to practice with?
VICTOR: I’ll tell you the scenes after people have seen it.
In the way that I just talked about Barry’s energy, Pastel set me up, too.
You didn’t shoot them, so we can’t move.
It was just a dream lesson.
It was like a mini film school moment.
They, for a year, were like, “The script is ready.
It’s just about getting you comfortable to direct.
What do you need?”
So, we did that.
I shadowed a friend’s film.
Oh,I Saw the TV Glow!
VICTOR: Yes, I shadowed it!
You should wear that as a badge of honor!
VICTOR: I understand why.
Also, to shadow a set is amazing because you don’t have a job there.
You actually can learn.
Thank you to everyone there.
We have something special here?"
I felt like I already knew what we could do.
VICTOR: We had a vibe.
We just did when we met.
Let’s be friends.
The first scene we did was at the frozen lake.
We held the space, and you held the space, and we had fun within that.
After day one, I was like, Yeah, I knew it.
It’s going to be a really fun, healing, creative time.
Do it 110%.
And it was easily the best take.
The more I did, the more you seemed happy.
You know what I mean?
I didn’t need to do any bullshit tricks.
I learned a lot from this movie for that reason.
I even had a dream.
I was just very grateful for that lesson.
That was one of the biggest things I took from this experience.
No, we are!
We are in it in this kind of scary, safe way."
ACKIE: I can’t think of anything that was standout, but its a rhythm thing.
I remember you doing it in one standalone moment.
It was like, Oh, she’s on this kind of tone.
Oh, okay, playful.
It’s like following the leader a little bit until you kind of get the gist of it.
VICTOR: They’re both like the best actors in the world, so I was blessed.
They can do everything with heart, and they’re so funny.
It was so powerful.
It was super powerful.
I cant wait, even if Im not in them.
Not even just honestyou’re different.
You know what I mean?
VICTOR: I hear you!
I mean, look at this.
It’s a beautiful way to articulate that.
In this industry, we give each other awards, and that’s super cool.
We should keep doing that.
But I find that nobody tells themselves good job as much as they should.
I am really proud of what I did there?"
VICTOR: Thank you for the question.
I feel grateful to not have experienced violence and then been violent in response.
I feel grateful to have found a way through it with making a film.
It has truly been the honor of my life.
Many, many more to come.
Again, sincerely, congratulations on this one.
Exceptional work across the board.
VICTOR: Thank you so much.
You got my tears going, thank you!
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