MY FIRST DAYS SHOOTING

That's our director, Shawn Levy, in the middle with me and Tina Fey

The film is “This Is Where I Leave You,” based on a novel by the same name.

It’s very funny. My children, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll and Adam Driver, are amazing beyond belief. It is so exciting to be working with this cast of young, cutting edge actors who are so adept at ad-libbing. I have improvised a lot in many films but not in comedies.

This morning, people gathered round the monitor watching a scene and were crying from laughing so hard.

I feel like a Martian. Their rhythm, what they laugh at, even their language all seem foreign to me which is intriguing and just how it should be for the film. The mother (me), a tad narcissistic, has sort of lost touch with her kids emotionally — though she’s full of love, she doesn’t understand them, nor they her.

To make this experience even better, everyone of them is really nice. This is so important, especially for me at this stage of my life. I mean, you want the results to be perfect, but you realize that the process of getting there is equally important. If you’re surrounded by ego and negativity it’s not worth it. Know what I mean?

Our director, Shawn Levy, is just like my children–young, good energy, generous and smart. I totally trust him. And by the way, my BFF, Paula Weinstein, is producing this film for Warner Bros.

The actor who plays my neighbor and best friend, Debra Monk, is also a wonderful actor. We’re becoming friends. Also playing important roles are the terrific Kathryn Hahn, Ben Schwartz, Aaron Lazar and Connie Britton. I shoot here in New York and surrounding areas till end-ish of June.

But tomorrow, after filming a scene in a hospital with Tina Fey, I leave for the Cannes Film Festival where I will spend 3 days for L’Oreal with some of my friends and fellow L’Oreal brand ambassadors–Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, Aimee Mullins and maybe Kerry Washington. It’ll be hard work but also fun and then I’ll come back and resume the film.

Share This Post
14 Comments
  1. Hi Ms. Fonda,

    I just wanted to take this chance to say it was a pleasure to watch you work as you were shooting scenes in the synagogue for this film. I was one of the lucky few to be a volunteer “background” for those scenes and it was an exciting and insightful day for me. Film is not my industry but I am grateful for the experience. You are such a legend and so accomplished in many meaningful ways that I feel privileged to have seen you, so gracious to everyone and so professional. I feel so inspired! I wanted to say hello in person but I knew that if everyone did that, it would be unpleasant for you, especially when you were working. So I thought I would take this chance to connect briefly instead. Whether or not I actually show up in the film for a few seconds is unimportant – I had fun and look forward to seeing the finished product. Hope the rest of filming is as great an experience for you as the early days have been!

    • Thank you, Caryn. That was my first day on the film. Always complex. But ultimately it was a fun day for me too.

      • Dear Jane,

        I heard you love to read, check out “A Dozen of One” by Charles Ramada. Available in paperback and e-book format, amazon.com, kobo books, and many others.
        Kind Regards,
        Charles

  2. I’m always so glad when you’re doing a movie and this project sounds good. I feel that Shawn Levy has developed a lot as a filmmaker, Date Night with Tina Fey was just fine so I feel you’re in good company (especially Fey). I hope this movie will be released this year. Is there any information about that?

    Anyway, I love your comedy performances (9 to 5 and Fun with Dick and Jane ranks among your best work, IMO) – you always seem to have so much fun with the characters and you make it look so easy (while it isn’t, obviously). You sort of inject so much likeability to your characters’ clumsiness. I can’t wait to see what you do with such a character. I just hope you carry that ease to this film as well (I was so glad to feel it in All Together and Peace, Love…).

    Have fun at Cannes!

  3. I look forward to seeing the film, and also to seeing you in Cannes, you are always a model of elegance!

  4. >>If you’re surrounded by ego and negativity, it’s not worth it. Know what I mean?<< Absolutely: negative thoughts are like metal(s) being attracted to a magnet, conversely, thus, so can positive thoughts accumulate. Either way, it all takes on a "life of its own," so, we must take care to always *keep on the sunny side* (like the old country/folk song advises). This film sounds *wonderful*! I LOVE young people: I am *very relieved and rest confident* knowing that they're so level-headed and socially-conscious.

  5. That is one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen of you (or Tina Fey, for that matter). There is such a depth of feeling in your eyes — a trademark of a great actress and humanitarian. Always excited to learn of upcoming Fonda projects!

  6. How fun and exciting! I am so happy that you are busy shooting new movies! And what a great cast! I had a crush on Jason Bateman as a kid and still have a crush on him as an adult! 🙂 Tina Fey is just plain hilarious as a writer and actress. Add you into the mix and you have the best comedy ever! 🙂 I can see how the dynamics of the cast are so important both in the process and the end result. At this point in your career, you certainly want to love going to work each day or it is simply not worth it. I desperately want to go to a movie premier. Maybe I will some how be able to attend one of your premiers. That would be way fun! Well, I can dream. As for the Cannes Film Festival, take lots of pictures. I always love to see them.

  7. Hi, Ms. Fonda. Was wondering if there are any plans to make another movie with your good friend Robert Redford? You 2 spark off one another, performing drama and comedy with equal ease.
    Enjoy Cannes – will await the Press photos!

    Alan.

    • Dear Professor Jeffrey, we have no plans to do another film. I wish!

      • Oh my god! It would be my dream come true, I fell in love with you two(cinematically) in The Chace, since that day you both are my idols! It was a wonderful experiences to see you both together later in Barefoot in the park and The electric horseman…Thank you for your perfect work!

  8. I love all or your work and excited for all the new things you have upcoming. I think you just one of the most interesting and beautiful women on screen. I would love to invite you to join my artistic project called The Painted Lady Collection. I paint women of all ages and sizes to look like a painted canvas art piece. Then I photograph it. You can’t tell its a real person, it looks as if an artist painted a woman on canvas. I would be truly honored if you would let me paint you. I would of course waive my normal fee for my service. I can email you a sample of my work if your interested. Thank you so much for you time, keep up the wonderful things you do Jane.
    Kerri Patton
    [email protected]
    (540)323-0609

    • just reread what I quickly typed and apparently I need my morning coffee to fix that horrible grammar and spelling. My apology.
      KL

  9. Sounds like a great experience, and the young people were not nasty but nice people. How does that happen? Probably your good energy is all over them! When is this film coming out? We can’t wait!

Leave a Reply