Alexander Payne’s life in film
Alexander Payne is an award-winning producer, writer, and film director. He has won numerous international accolades, including two Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay—the first for the dark comedy Sideways in 2005 and the second for The Descendants in 2012. The producer was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Greek parents. When he was 35, he directed his first film, “Citizen Ruth,” in 1966. He admits that things have changed, the industry has grown, and that experience has come with the changes.
Payne enjoys working with various actors, from A-list celebrities to non-actors. He prefers actors from New York, Los Angeles, and Nebraska, as well as all types of community theater actors because they are natural and have raw talent. According to Payne, people who are funny, dramatic, and surprising make good actors. Every actor must pass an audition to appear in his film, which is part of his playbook.
Payne admitted to taking a gamble which paid off when he chose Hong Chau in the film downsizing. He was impressed with how Chau handled herself during the filming. Further, he admits that she stole the show. Payne claims there must be a careful balance between using up-coming talent and A-list celebrities to secure finance. According to the film’s budget, “you need a character who is both an actor and a celebrity,” says Payne.
Payne is working on a dark comedy film called The Holdovers, set in 1970 and centered on an unlikeable teacher. When he is not working, he enjoys watching old movies, preferably westerns. Modern Times, Seven Samurai, and The Wild Bunch are among his favorite films.