Nancy Meyers, writer director, joins Talking Pictures to discuss casting, script advice, and the frustration of being famous for interiors. They also cover romantic comedies, shooting in LA, and a funny scene from Private Benjamin. Check it out!
Casting the right actors is the most crucial part of Nancy Meyers' filmmaking process.
Nancy Meyers reflects on the enduring popularity of her romantic comedies despite biases within the film industry.
Deep dives
Nancy Myers' Journey in Filmmaking
Nancy Myers, a renowned writer-director, discusses her love for movies and her journey in the filmmaking industry. With a career spanning 20 years, Nancy reflects on the joy of talking to people about films that matter to them. She shares her motivation behind creating a podcast to have more of those conversations and to connect with the most creative people in Hollywood. Nancy's success in romantic comedy is often associated with her attention to interior design, a trend she finds irritating. She emphasizes the importance of casting and shares stories about working with Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, and other big stars in her movies.
The Power of Casting in Nancy Myers' Films
Nancy Myers emphasizes the significance of casting in her films. She believes that after writing the screenplay, casting the right actor for a role is the most crucial part. Nancy shares insights into the casting process, from her favorite on-screen duos to the fascinating stories of actors who almost got cast in iconic films. She also discusses her collaboration with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in the film Something's Gotta Give, highlighting the importance of getting the actors she envisions for her projects.
The Success and Rebirth of Nancy Myers' Films
Nancy Myers delves into the success and resurgence of her films. She discusses the enduring popularity of movies like The Holiday and how they have been rediscovered by audiences, especially during the pandemic. Nancy also addresses the perception of romantic comedies and the biases that exist within the film industry. Despite this, she highlights the historical significance of romantic comedies and their presence on lists of top movies of all time. Nancy reflects on the challenges she faces as a director in bringing her vision to life while staying true to her storytelling style.
Working with Billy Wilder and Exciting Future Projects
Nancy Myers shares anecdotes about her collaboration with legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder, highlighting the impact he had on her career. She discusses her early days as a screenwriter and the experience of receiving an Oscar nomination for her first screenplay, Private Benjamin. Nancy also talks about her recent project, Paris Paramount, which was canceled due to budgetary concerns. However, she remains hopeful that the film can still be made, especially with the support of the talented cast she had assembled. She concludes by sharing her passion for watching and recommending a diverse range of films, including The Worst Person in the World and the classic Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times.
Our first guest on Talking Pictures is writer director Nancy Meyers (Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated, The Holiday). Recorded at her home, host Ben Mankiewicz talks with Meyers about casting Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, getting script advice from Sunset Boulevard director Billy Wilder, and they discuss what it’s like to become famous for her interiors. Spoiler: it’s frustrating! Nancy Meyers also answers our Super 8 questionnaire and reveals which film had her running from the theater in absolute terror.
