"Sideways" and Behind: An interview with writer/director Alexander Payne
Riding the critical acclaim of "About Schmidt," director and co-writer Alexander Payne took the cynical road through Southern California's wine country in his new film "Sideways." Starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, this venture demonstrated that he is more than a satirist but one also drenched in pinot noir expertise.
Hatchet: Where did the inspiration to direct "Sideways" come from?
Alexander Payne: Well, I'm a director. This novel came my way and I adapted the screenplay.
H: Did you develop an extensive interest in wine?
P: I knew something about wine before I wrote the screenplay, but it was a major part of the story so it helps to know what the hell you're talking about. There's a lot of wine talk in the book and not a lot in the movie because you can't have too much wine talk in a movie. As the incumbent screenwriter, I needed to make sure the wine related to the characters.
H: Was this role written for Paul Giamatti?
P: No. It just came down to good casting. Like in a lot of good movies, I mean, "Sunset Boulevard" without Gloria Swanson, who was not the first choice for the role.
H: It seems like the same scenario as "About Schmidt." Was Jack Nicholson just right for the role?
P: Right, it worked the same way. Directing and casting developed the actor's character.
H: This was your first movie not filmed predominantly in Nebraska, how would you describe the drastic change in scenery by filming in Southern California?
P: It's not really a function of where I am shooting, it's more a function of where I am in filmmaking. I always consider myself a film student and since UCLA I still consider myself a student. The lovely landscape went with a nice coming together of people; I think it had less to do with where I was shooting.
H: Do you now prefer a place like Southern California?
P: Nope, I'll shoot anywhere. I always have fun with it. This is just where the story really took place.
Hatchet: Where did the inspiration to direct "Sideways" come from?
Alexander Payne: Well, I'm a director. This novel came my way and I adapted the screenplay.
H: Did you develop an extensive interest in wine?
P: I knew something about wine before I wrote the screenplay, but it was a major part of the story so it helps to know what the hell you're talking about. There's a lot of wine talk in the book and not a lot in the movie because you can't have too much wine talk in a movie. As the incumbent screenwriter, I needed to make sure the wine related to the characters.
H: Was this role written for Paul Giamatti?
P: No. It just came down to good casting. Like in a lot of good movies, I mean, "Sunset Boulevard" without Gloria Swanson, who was not the first choice for the role.
H: It seems like the same scenario as "About Schmidt." Was Jack Nicholson just right for the role?
P: Right, it worked the same way. Directing and casting developed the actor's character.
H: This was your first movie not filmed predominantly in Nebraska, how would you describe the drastic change in scenery by filming in Southern California?
P: It's not really a function of where I am shooting, it's more a function of where I am in filmmaking. I always consider myself a film student and since UCLA I still consider myself a student. The lovely landscape went with a nice coming together of people; I think it had less to do with where I was shooting.
H: Do you now prefer a place like Southern California?
P: Nope, I'll shoot anywhere. I always have fun with it. This is just where the story really took place.
