Drew Barrymore has been a familiar face on the screen practically since she was born. But with her latest film, Whip It, she has realized her lifelong dream of directing. The movie, based on the novel by Shauna Cross, chronicles the story of a young girl misfit who never fully belongs in the beauty pageant and football world that obsesses her town of Bodeen, Texas. The film's heroine, played by Ellen Page, finally finds her passion in life when she discovers the wacky, underground roller derby scene in nearby Austin. Barrymore said the story of a girl finding her "tribe" appealed to her. She set up an intense roller derby training camp for the actresses to help them learn the tricks of skating at high speeds while being pushed and elbowed along a slippery, raised track. Barrymore says right now she is focused on promoting Whip It, but expects to direct more movies in the near future.

By Lorenza Muñoz 

 

How did you come across the story?

My partner, Nancy Juvonen and I optioned Shauna's book and she wrote a script simultaneously. I really fell in love with the script and I found myself fighting for it in ways that felt different for me. I have been so passionate in my work, but this felt different inside. This was an amazing template for elements and a story I would want to tell as a director.

What elements were you fighting for?

I really felt like the film could go modern and poppy but I thought it was more of a classic sport story. It was a teen movie but I felt like it should be like the 70s and 80s teen movies, like John Hughes' movies where it stars teens and is about teen issues but takes them seriously. I didn't want the beauty pageant world to become a tacky comedic tool for Ellen to run away from. I love the template of the derby about being capable and athletic and finding a tribe. I didn't want it to become cheapened, where one world is right and one world is wrong. Complexities are very interesting. I don't like to write people off. I thought ‘why am I caring so much about this?' and I came to a revelatory conclusion that I wanted to direct it.

Since you were one of the producers on it, whom did you have to convince about hiring you as the director?

We ended up doing it with Mandate Pictures, which is a finance company. I gave them my pitch and my vision. Nan and I believe in doing the homework. I told Mandate, ‘this is where I see it visually...and the economics of what I need to make the movie.' You have to be able to back yourself up and explain everything. You can't just go in there and say ‘I want to direct this.' As a producer I always like to think that the director must keep their promises.

You have been in the business so long, were there any pointers on directing you have picked up along the way-say from Steven Spielberg?

You would have to be Helen Keller not to. After 34-years of working with more than 60 or so directors, yes absolutely. For instance, I don't yell action or cut. I feel that is like a floor gun going off telling people to start acting or stop acting... Director Ken Kwapis of He's Just Not that Into You, invigorates his actors out of the gate. He talks you into a scene...I like directing next to the camera. I don't work off a monitor. I don't believe in watching the film as I am doing it, I want to be in it. Watching from a monitor makes me feel like I am watching a movie instead of in a movie. I like to believe that the camera is not there. I like to feel like we are engaging in this moment and have it be captured. I love watching the magical nature of things come out of happy accidents or saying a line three completely different ways.

What were some of the challenges you faced shooting the derby scenes?

Shooting three cameras with lots of crowds. What set us up for success was that I storyboarded our film for three months. Even as the script changed we would storyboard. We knew exactly what we needed from each camera. I also had a month's long derby training camp for the girls. They all had this incredible athletic ability. They had trained and developed a camaraderie. They pushed each other to go further. If you just throw actors into a rink who have not spent weeks supporting each other, it's just a very different thing. You need to have diligence and a work plan and then you can play. We had long days and a short schedule and a short budget. For what we had, we made the most of it. I was engaged in every single step of the process.

Is that mainly how it was different from just acting in a film?

You are choosing everything from head to toe. Everything is different. What helps from having been an actor is the sensitivity to actors. Most actors really do like playing and improving and trying things. People love to rise to the occasion. They love being respected. It's a real collaboration.

Would you say there is a definite sensibility to what stories appeal to you?

The aspect of hope appeals to me. Pessimism does not get my engine going. As I get older my idea of hope changes. You grow up. I used to strive for happy endings but now I really find an appreciation for a good day. I didn't want a Hollywood ending in this film but a real honesty. Not everything is going to be perfect, but for this moment in this person's life, there has been a real honesty and respect that has been earned. Sometimes the love story doesn't have to be a sexual one. I think the love story in this movie is between the mom and daughter.

It seemed like you had a really good time making this movie. Do you want to be a roller derby chick?

It's a terrifying sport. We would get hurt so badly. But I step into my skates now and I miss it. I would happily get in the game at any second. I like what it represents. My biggest themes in life are be your own hero and find your tribe. Everybody needs a tribe. It's the place you call home. Roller derby is a very inviting party. I love that they lead these great double lives. Our choreographer was an NPR correspondent.

Have you identified your next directorial project?

I am always bewildered by the question of ‘will you do this again?' I have wanted to direct since I was six-years-old. I have worked my whole life for this. Of course it's something I want to do again. I have lived my life to be fun but also focused and with determination. Life can be a total party but it can't be a party all the time.

 

Film Independent will be offering a preview screening of Drew Barrymore's directorial debut film Whip It on September 30 at the Pacific Design Center. More info here.