Alexander Payne’s Perfect Filmography – From Away We Go
Alexander Payne has starred in more than 40 films as actor, writer, and director. But his fame rests on his impressive resume as a screenwriter and producer. Starting as a production assistant on the set of his high school friend’s amateur production of “A Christmas Carol,” Payne moved up the ranks to become a production assistant on his first feature film. It was a small film, but his experience there set him on the path to becoming a successful producer and writer. Payne’s first project as a solo producer was a low-budget horror film called “From Away We Go.” The film was so successful that it led to him making several sequels. If he has his way, Payne wants to make more “From Away” movies.
Alexander-Payne-shares-his’s-most-valuable-screenwriting-lessons
Most writers are afraid of one thing or another. Whether it’s the thought of coming up with original material on the fly, the logistics of actually writing the script, or the pressure of knowing the movie is going to be successful, writers tend to be overthinking it. But Payne finds a balance between overthinking it and realizing that every job has its unique challenges.
Alexander Payne’s philosophy on filmmaking writing films for real life
“I’ve always found that having a feel for the industry has come much more easily to me because I grew up in it—My mom was a production assistant on ‘A Christmas Carol’ and my best friend was a production assistant on my first film.”
“Writing in a studio is very different than writing on a set. You have to be very aware of your surroundings, aware of the other people around you, and very focused on the work at hand.”
“Pay It Forward”
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that ‘pay it forward’—sharing your knowledge, your experience, and your knowledge of others’ success stories—is the only way to get ahead.”
“If you want to be successful, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are a lot of people who are going through the exact same thing you are and you can learn a lot from them if you just ask.”
“As an actor, you have to be very careful what role you play and how you present it. Because I’ve always been tall and lanky, people often mistake me for a teenager. But, in fact, I was just a few months shy of my thirtieth birthday when I first started doing film. So, for me, the journey to stardom has been a long one. I’ve worked very hard for almost everything I’ve ever gotten. So, I can honestly say that I’m very happy with where I’m at and where I’m going.”