La La Land
TOWN TOPICS, PRINCETON, N.J., WEDNESDAY, JANuARY 11, 2017 • 14
idea of casting John Legend in it. I knew I wanted a musiContinued from Preceding Page cian for it. I thought, “Okay, I that’s very romantic and know John’s a producer now, playful while also being very so maybe there’s a play to be grounded, a little understat- made here.” So, they were ed, very real, and very mel- the first people I sent a script ancholy, as well. They sort of to for that role. He ended up combine emotions. They live coming aboard in several casomewhere between happy pacities. First, as an actor, and sad. I feel that’s where a doing his first, big piece of lot of French New Wave lives. onscreen acting, which was And I just love that emotional real exciting. Second, as a fulcrum. songwriter. He co-wrote the KW: How many of those song that his character sings. French films are musicals? And third, coming aboard DC: Well, full-fledged mu- with Mike as an executive sicals, just those Jacques producer of the movie. Demy movies. And I guess KW: How did you man[Jean-Luc] Godard did a qua- age to make a movie that’s si musical with A Woman Is so much more than the sum a Woman. What’s fun about of its parts. La La Land is, them is that they are sort of on the one hand, often larger the French filmmakers’ an- than life, such as how the swer to the American Hol- panoramic opening dance lywood musicals that they number is splashed across loved. So, I liked the idea of the screen. And yet, the doing an American answer picture is also intimate and to the French answer to the accessible in a way that afAmerican musicals, if that fords the viewer a very permakes sense. sonal experience. How did KW: Absolutely! Who are you achieve that? Was that a few of your favorite direc- part of the plan? tors? DC: My hope was that DC: Certainly, some of the it would be visually ravishFrench New Wave filmmak- ing, but still very human, as ers like Godard and Demy. you’ve suggested. That was [Charlie] Chaplin is someone kind of the through line [conwho is constantly inspiring necting theme] with everyme. He’s actually someone thing in prep. Lina Sandgren, Emma and I bonded over, our DP [Dirctor of Photoginitially. We both adore City raphy], was just incredible. Lights, and we were talking He, Mandy Moore our choabout that movie when we reographer, David Wasco first met. And with this mov- our production designer, ie, Vincente Minnelli, one of and costume designer Mary my favorites of all time, was Zophres all came on board a big influence as well in way, way early on to sort of terms of his use of color and pre-prep the movie. Then, his sense of emotion. we had a very intensive three KW: When I interviewed to four month, on-site prep John Legend, I was surprised with everyone almost housed to learn that he had come together in these production aboard as a producer before offices in the valley. We were you decided to add him to all trying to speak the same language. You have to sort the cast of La La Land. DC: Yeah, what happened of pre-design stuff really prewas I first met John’s produc- cisely and really minutely. ing partner, Mike Jackson, But you hope that, once you on the Whiplash circuit. I get on set, you can still be met John through Mike. As spontaneous and have fun soon as Ryan and Emma with it. Sensational 1 KW: 11:52 Are AM youPage thinking were cast, ISummers want to 2x7 fill 01-17 the 12/5/16 about your next project yet? Keith role, and I loved the
DC : Yes, for a couple years, I’ve been developing this film about Neil Armstrong and the moon landing with Josh Singer, who wrote Spotlight. I hope to be shooting it next year with Ryan playing Neil. It’s on the horizon right now. KW: Finally, what’s in your wallet? DC: Right now, not that much. But my girlfriend and I got a dog recently. We had to get him registered with L.A. County. That’s another L.A. idiosyncrasy. So, I have an ID card for my dog which has his face on it and his name. It’s pretty funny. KW: Well, congratulations again, Damien. I can’t say I’m surprised at your success, since I recognized your phenomenal talent and predicted it way back when. But I am honored to know you and to have this opportunity to chat with you about La La Land. DC: Thank you for all the support back in the day. —Kam Williams
Princeton Academy Presents “Screenagers”
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for boys in kindergarten through grade 8, will host a screening of the documentary Screenagers on Wednesday, January 18 at 6 p.m. at the McPherson Athletic and Convocation Center (MACC) on its campus. Screenagers delves into the vulnerable corners of family life (including the director’s own) when it comes to the influence and prevalence of social media, video games, and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from brain scientists and authors, solutions emerge as to how parents and educators can empower kids to responsibly navigate the digital world. To learn more, visit www. princetonacademy.org. This event is free and open to the public.
Law Office of Tirza S. Wahrman, LLC Yale-educated attorney and former Deputy Attorney General with over twenty-five years of litigation and counseling experience in state and federal court. Tirza is the proud recipient of the Client’s Choice Award for two years in a row in 2015 and 2016 from Avvo, a leading on-line lawyer rating service, and is a member of the Commercial Mediation panel of the American Arbitration Association. Tirza handles a wide range of matters: home improvement and landlord-tenant disputes; consumer fraud; insurance coverage matters; drug possession and DWI charges. Tirza is also a court-qualified mediator. In addition, she serves as a Director of the Environmental Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association. This is how some of Tirza’s clients describe her: “...is a seasoned litigator with a firm grasp of not only the law, but also how to advance the ball and achieve her client’s objectives.” M.M., San Francisco “…represented us with zeal and dedication. We highly recommend her.” J.S., East Windsor “...faced with a mold issue in my apartment...I found Tirza Wahrman to be extremely knowledgeable in this area...Tirza had patience and helped me remain calm and confident throughout the legal process.” C.L., Pennington “We had a situation with two young children and a kitchen not completed for many months, due to the contractor’s malfeasance. Ms. Wahrman intervened effectively, leading to a quick and successful outcome.” A.H., Millburn
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Sunday, January 15, 2017
The Grand Summit Hotel, Summit
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville
Saturday, January 28, 2017 Menlo Park Mall, Edison
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