In filmmaking, finding the right actor can make all the difference, and for Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Michael Keaton was the only choice for the lead role in Goodrich. This episode delves into the creative journey of writing and directing a deeply personal film, navigating the challenges of independent production, and discovering the heart of the story during editing. It also explores how persistence, vision, and collaboration are essential in bringing a project to life.

Hallie Meyers-Shyer is a writer and director known for her heartfelt and character-driven stories. Following in the footsteps of her legendary filmmaking parents, Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer, Hallie made her directorial debut with Home Again in 2017. Her latest film, Goodrich, is a personal story inspired by her family dynamics, with a lead role written specifically for Michael Keaton. Hallie is passionate about crafting films that blend humor and emotion, creating stories that resonate on a deeply human level.

In today’s episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins and Jason Hellerman speak with Hallie Meyers-Shyer to discuss:

Insights from the LA Director’s Lab, a workshop that offers directors a space to practice their craft and experiment with creative risks
Why Michael Keaton was the perfect fit for Goodrich and how she wrote the role with him in mind
The personal inspiration behind the story, rooted in Hallie’s experiences with her own family
How to keep pushing forward with a film project, even when financing falls through
The importance of outlining in the writing process and how it provides freedom in creativity
Hallie’s experience working with a tight-knit team and storyboarding the entire film
The emotional discoveries that shaped the film during editing and how the film revealed itself as more than just a comedy

Memorable Quotes:

“I work hard to fully flesh out each character and make them not just servicing the thing that you want to get across in that scene and make them people with a lot of layers and things.” (15:06)
“I kind of always felt this was going to be an independent movie, even though it sort of would have been a studio movie probably 30 years ago.” (18:24)
“I had Pinterest boards for costumes. I had Pinterest boards for every location. I also had a really long time to work on this movie, so I had about six years of images pulled.” (26:27)
“I love editing. I just love it. It's one of my favorite parts, if not my favorite part.” (36:02)
“Something I noticed about Michael Keaton in the editing room (…) is he brings the first scene of the movie into the last scene of the movie.” (37:15)
“I know many super talented writers who can do multiple projects at once. I admire it. I cannot do it. I am so fully immersed in what I'm writing.” (46:27)
“I think it's so important for human stories, personal stories about people and emotions and whatever your life story is, get it out there, keep at it, be your biggest champion, make it happen.” (51:52)

Resources:

Follow Hallie Meyers-Shyer on Instagram

Hallie on IMDb

Goodrich on IMDb

Hollywood Camera Works trainings

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