It’s strange to know that one of this year’s biggest indie films, Paper Heart, is partially inspired by co-writer Charlyne Yi’s interest in one of the most mainstream targeted, sleazy television dating shows, Elimidate. Embarrassing details like this one are drawn out by Jeff Goldsmith who brings Yi and co-writer Nicholas Jasenovec in front of a panel to talk about their latest movie. As is the case with most small budget films, one of the most interesting things revealed throughout the length of the discussion is how exactly Charlyne’s writing jives with her starring role and Nicholas’s writing influences his role as Paper Heart’s director.
The writers reveal how they went about shopping for a studio to back their film, which is more difficult for an unscripted documentary-style proposal. Since Charlyne made her first film appearance in Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up, Goldsmith asks the pair why they didn’t approach Judd in their search. The discussion turns to the “Sundance ending” that got cut from the film and the reasons for doing so. It seems appropriate that one of the motifs of the film is giving up something you like for something you love, which is what Yi and Jasenovec ultimately had to do by writing a more popular ending.
Senior Editor Jeff Goldsmith interviews co-writer/star Charlyne Yi and co-writer/director Nicholas Jasenovec about Paper Heart
Runtime – 01:14:10
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