Leslye Headland, writer and director known for "Russian Doll" and "The Acolyte," dives into the intricacies of adapting stage plays to film. She shares her journey from theater enthusiast to successful auteur. The conversation unpacks the challenges of scene descriptions, dialogue nuances, and character dynamics. Leslye discusses how family tensions and validation play out in her storytelling. They also tackle listener questions about maintaining engagement between the two mediums and the role of music in elevating narratives.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Leslye's Early Writing Journey
Leslye Headland started writing by imitating Judy Blume and American Girl books in composition notebooks.
She discovered musical theater through a documentary about Stephen Sondheim, which deeply inspired her artistic vision.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Early Readings With Actors
Get readings with actors early to hear your work aloud and identify uninteresting or bad scenes.
Avoid writing in isolation; actors reveal issues in dialogue and story that you can't see alone.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Transitioning to Directing
Leslye didn't plan to direct "Bachelorette" but accepted when producers suggested she should.
Her directing background helped her work well with actors since she knew the characters best.
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Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" is a seminal work of absurdist theatre. The play features two tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait endlessly for the enigmatic Mr. Godot, whose arrival is perpetually delayed. Beckett's minimalist style and his exploration of existential themes have made the play a cornerstone of modern drama. The play's ambiguous nature and its exploration of meaninglessness and the human condition continue to resonate with audiences today. "Waiting for Godot" remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that challenges conventional notions of narrative and dramatic structure.
John 6
Predestination to Glory - Come by Faith
Wayne ODonnell
John 6 is a chapter in the Gospel of John that recounts the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus' subsequent discourse on the bread of life. This chapter is pivotal in understanding Jesus' identity and his relationship with his followers. Jesus' teaching on the bread of life is a profound metaphor for his role as the source of spiritual nourishment and eternal life. The chapter explores themes of faith, belief, and the true nature of spiritual sustenance. It's a rich and complex text that has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history, offering profound insights into the heart of Jesus' message.
Making movies
Sidney Lumet
In 'Making Movies', Sidney Lumet provides a comprehensive insight into the process of filmmaking, from choosing a script to the final editing and screening. Drawing on his 40 years of experience, Lumet shares anecdotes and practical advice on working with actors, staging complex scenes, and managing studio expectations. The book is praised for its clarity, candor, and wealth of detail, making it invaluable for both aspiring filmmakers and film enthusiasts[1][2][5].
Bachelorette
Leslye Headland
The Lesson
The Lesson
Eugène Ionesco
Cult of Love
Cult of Love
Leslye Headland
Seven Deadly Plays
Seven Deadly Plays
Adam Rapp
ON FILM-MAKING
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CRAFT OF THE DIRECTOR; ED. BY PAUL CRONIN
Alexander Mackendrick
This posthumous collection of Mackendrick's teachings emphasizes practical filmmaking over abstract theory, covering story construction, visual storytelling, and directorial decision-making. Edited by Paul Cronin, it includes analyses of classic films like 'Citizen Kane' and 'North by Northwest', demonstrating how every technical choice (lighting, editing, framing) must serve the narrative.
John welcomes writer, director and playwright Leslye Headland (The Acolyte, Russian Doll) to ask, why are stage plays so challenging for screenwriters? Using her recent Broadway play Cult of Love, they look at different approaches to scene description, heightened and simultaneous dialogue, and strategies for adapting stage plays to film.
We also chart Leslye’s career from theater kid to auteur filmmaker, her approach to time loops (because how could we not?), and answer listener questions about music cues and long scripts.
In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Leslye compare notes on how to keep up with what’s on stage, and what to do if you missed a production.
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