Jennifer Morrison has traded fairy tales for a creation of her own.
We were never trying to get a laugh, Morrison tells EW.
So by being as direct and as real as possible, it let these real-life situations be accidentally funny.
Credit: Apartment 3C Productions
I felt like I saw a little bit of myself in each one of them in different ways.
Sometimes its a very subtle thing that can make a big difference.
A lot of Neds story is about him trying to find his purpose.
Apartment 3C Productions
Every man does need a purpose, every human needs a purpose.
I believe everyone I know around me relates to that.
Its a very universal struggle.
Apartment 3C Productions
Neds just dealing with it in a very overt way.
I was searching to find a way to tell stories that were outside ofOnce Upon a Timeat that time.
You crave figuring out what else you have to offer.
Apartment 3C Productions
So I think just the same way Ned was saying, Whats my purpose?
and, Whats my story in the world?
I was doing the same thing as I was exploring the idea of directing.
Many actors who step behind the camera seem to first direct an episode of their own show.
And that was not the message that I wanted to put into the creative community.
What I wanted to say was, I have stories to tell as a filmmaker.
What was that journey and experience like for you?I really enjoy being in that position.
Ive learned a lot about myself, having directed the film.
I really enjoy being able to problem solve in that position.
I really enjoyed being in a position where I could find a way to be a caretaker.
And I find that very fulfilling.
I really actually enjoy it.
Did you face any particular challenges in that regard while directing?You know whats so interesting?
I get asked this, and wish I had a really great answer, or a clear answer.
So I dont know.
I dont know if the journey would have been different if I were a man.
I dont know if certain things would have been easier if I were a man.
I dont know if that would have been different.
So its hard for me to say what those potential extra obstacles may have been.
I felt, in this particular process, genderless in the way you want to feel genderless.
I dont know if it was luck.
I dont know if it was that I gravitated to the right people.
I dont know if it was that.
The film has an interesting mix of heart and humor, particularly reminiscent of the awkward comedy ofThe Office.
Ned is so innocent, and he is so pure, in such a particular way.
And in doing that, I think the humor came from the honesty of the moment.
We were never trying to get a laugh.
So I was looking at it like I wanted to find the most real, honest performances as possible.
Obviously Neds the lead in terms of sheer screen time, but the film is truly an ensemble.
And since wrapping production onSun Dogs, Allison Janney became an Oscar winner.
Shes extraordinarily talented, but shes an extraordinary person.
You just want to be around her.
Shes kind, shes smart, shes funny, shes witty, shes self-deprecating.
Shes truly wonderful, shes one of a kind.
And I was so lucky to have her in the film.
She brought so much to the table.
All of the actors challenged me and made me better in every way.
But shes just someone that Ive really revered and admired for so long, and really looked up to.
So Ive been absolutely cheering her on and feel so lucky to be connected to her in any way.
So I had this crazy time clock ticking.
I did find my financiers by mid-May.
We had nine days of prep, which is really, really short for a film.
So nine days of prep, 18 days of shooting with no overtime; just no budget for overtime.
And as soon as we wrapped, I had to go back toOnce Upon a Time.
And I needed to do post in L.A., even though I was working in Vancouver.
I flew 70,000 miles in three months to do post on this film while I was on the show.
There was no way to sleep more than, if I was lucky, four hours a night.
I felt like I could drop the ball on either side.
So the biggest challenge really was all of the time restraints.
I was always finding a way to make it possible even though it seemed impossible.
I noticed there was a yellow Bug inSun Dogs.
Was that a bit of a cheeky nod toOnce Upon a Time?Uh huh.
It was a couple things.
The yellow Bug has showed up in a lot of the classic films that I really admire and love.
And then on top of it, Emma ended up driving a yellow Bug.
So it just felt like a fun way to have a little nod to that.
What are you working on next?There are several things in the works right now.
I am in the midst of writing a screenplay.
Im also developing projects with different I guess I cant talk about it because nothings settled yet.
But I have been developing other projects as a director.
I just was in the filmSuperFly, which will be out June 16.
I just have several things in development.
I have a television show idea in development with Appian Way.
When things are in development, you never know how long theyre gonna take or not take.
So, lots of stuff.
Lots of good stuff.
