How did missing certain parts of the script before shooting influence you?
Parker Posey: I came on set thinking the film was one way — kind of light fare — and I sort of had water thrown on me by Woody: He immediately told me that she’s a suffering, lonely woman; she’s very unhappy.
How did you develop the particular visual language of this film?
It was really challenging. There were things that we felt were important early on that ended up boxing us in.
Can you talk about adapting your own book for the screen?
They initially approached Dan Fogelman, who’s a very established screenwriter. And he actually flipped it back to me and said he thought I should do it. At that point I just assumed I was talking to someone who was insane, and that this would be a terrible mistake.
Can you discuss casting the two versions of Brian Wilson?
Bill Pohlad: Casting the Brian-future role was a little more complicated than the Brian-past, actually.
Why did you choose to tell this particular story?
The first thing people say when they see me – since I’m a young guy – is you made this?