Because I cant imagine surviving, and then having to live through it again.
NADINE CROCKER: I know.
Really, it was the support I had around me.
Because of that, I felt really safe to take on that journey.
You at least feel like youre doing something to help you be of service.
So, it was multiple things, but it was that, in particular.
Image via Lionsgate
CROKER: Literally everyone.
My producers would be like, Can we not do another take of that?
And I was like, Im fine guys.
But I had an army around me that was very protective.
The movie also stars Nadine Crocker and Shiloh Fernandez.
How challenging was it to convey those inner feelings and emotions in a way that felt authentic?
Image via Fox
CROCKER: There are multiple things that come to mind.
The first script was basically a book.
I had never written a script before, and it was 164 pages.
Apparently, I thoughtContinuewould be a trilogy.
I just didnt pull any punches.
But again, I kept turning the focus to who I hoped it would help.
Ill be the first to do it.
Did you read the script cold?
Did you have a conversation with Nadine Crocker about it?
When I read it, I was like, I have to do this.
So, I spoke with her, and I just had to do it.
That was my introduction, but I was blown away immediately.
‘Bones’ wouldn’t have been the same without these two.
The dynamic between your characters is so interesting.
Its so incredible what she did, and was able to do, on screen and off.
What she was doing on all cylinders was insane.
But in terms of our relationship and just feeling comfortable, you just feel that.
It was just an intuitive, automatic feeling that you dont feel on a lot of sets.
Sometimes you feel that, and sometimes you dont.
I felt very safe and very protected.
Its not just a typical psychiatrist whos keeping their distance.
Shes doing that at first, but it’s possible for you to see that theres compassion there.
And then, Dean comes to her house and there is that whole scene where things break down.
From the second we had our first phone call, it wasnt like we were strangers.
It really did feel like there was a deep friendship immediately.
There really was an instant connection and safety, and all those things.
It was one of those moments where youre like, Thank you, intuition.
I knew she was my person.
At that point, we were just playing.
We were there for each other, and we experimented and played.
It was like a master class.
I learned so much from just being across from her.
It looks so effortless when she works and creates.
Its not really acting, at that point.
Youre feeling it, youre experiencing it, youre in it, and youre present.
Thats why Ive always loved acting.
Our set really did have a family dynamic.
Its not like Emily was like, Yeah, Im here, but its Nadines mission.
It became Emilys mission too.
That, to me, has meant more than Ive ever told [her].
Its meant so much to me.
It was just an instant connection.
Ive always believed that, but especially afterContinue, theres no way to look at it any other way.
Nadine, obviously this subject matter is triggering.
Was that something you had a very clear visual in mind for?
Did that develop during the editing of it?
What was your thought process for what you wanted to show?
CROCKER: A lot of the process came because I didnt want to pull punches.
I didnt want to make another Hollywood movie where the pretty girl gets everything in the end.
Thats the worst part.
Thats why I made this film, so people know that theres nothing wrong with them.
There are so many of us that struggle.
This is a really real thing that a lot of people deal with.
I didnt wanna pull any punches.
That was very important to me.
Thats why I chose to show blood, but to not show the act of it.
There was a moment where I showed more graphic images of her father.
What I wanted people to understand is those are images that never, ever go away.
There is a consequence that you are putting on that other person that will be with them forever.
It was constantly evolving.
I was also learning.
I was like, No, Im making this choice.
I changed my mind, and its okay to do that.
It took a lot of tough decisions.
Other people were like, Its fine, but I was like, No.
Nadine, where do you go from here?
Do you want to write, direct, and star in a comedy now?
What if we could actually change the world and change lives with our films?
And all that is to say that none of them are funny.
I need to just go do a comedy.
You write what you know.
There are so many other subjects, just like mental health, that we dont talk about enough.
Whats really funny is that, if you know me as a human being, Im really goofy.
Im not as serious as people think when you see my movies.
Romantic comedies are actually my blanket at the end of the night.
But Im gonna do it.
Wait, what am I talking about?
Ive always wanted to go to the Maldives.
Okay, were doing that.
Is that something that you would be open to?
Would you want to see where those characters are at?
I never really thought that would happen, just because he wouldnt be interested.
I mean, sure, Im open to things.
I dont know if that makes sense, butI never say never.
CROCKER: Well, I vote that they do it and let them know that Ill direct some episodes.
Im obsessed, so I would love to see that happen.
DESCHANEL: That would be awesome.
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