Recently, during the Los Angeles premiere of the new Netflix movie "Woman of the Hour," Anna Kendrick provided some insight into how she came to be the director of the movie. Primarily recognized for her acting career, Kendrick was put in an odd situation when she submitted a pitch to direct a crime thriller that was based on the real life of Rodney Alcala, the notorious serial murderer known as The Dating Game murderer.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kendrick disclosed that her desire to direct the movie came from her commitment to the project, not from a desire to play the part. "I really was willing to stand back if it was in the best interests of the movie. "I can't really do false confidence, so I think my pitch was the most ambivalent in Hollywood history," the actress said.
Once he was hired as the director, Kendrick turned to an unlikely mentor, Paul Feig, who had directed comedies such as "Bridesmaids." "Paul is a funny guy, but I knew he could give me the straight-forward, incisive advice I needed," Kendrick said. "I really admire Paul." Feig's advice was simple: own up to your mistakes and don't offer any justifications.
The actors and crew were a huge help in her move to directing, giving her the confidence she needed to tackle her first feature film. Along with other members of the cast, Daniel Zocatto, who plays Alcala, and Nicolette Robinson commended Kendrick for her leadership and comprehension of the acting process, attributing her success to her dual roles as an actress and director.
The actors cited the film's viewpoint, which emphasizes the tales of the victims rather than elevating the offender, as a strong argument for their decision to participate in the production. Kelly Jakle remarked, "I was drawn to the script because it honors the victims by flipping the traditional serial killer narrative."
Although Kendrick is wary about directing anything that inspires her as much as "Woman of the Hour," she stated that she would like to direct once again. "It has raised the bar for future projects to find a script and a team as perfect as this one," she said.