Interview (Part 4): Julia Hart — “The Keeping Room”

Over the weekend, an outstanding indie movie opened in select theaters in North America: The Keeping Room, written by Julia Hart, directed by Daniel Barber, and starring Brit Marling and Hailee Steinfeld. I interviewed Julia back in February 2013 and will be reprising that series this week, a terrific conversation well worth revisiting.

Today in Part 4, Julia discusses two more projects she has in the works:

Scott: It was recently announced you’re adapting a novel “Beautiful Disaster” for Warner Brothers. The plot is described this way: “A New York Times Best Sellers, story revolves around a young woman trying to leave her past behind, start a clean‑cut life when she goes to college. Her plans are disrupted by a young man described as a walking one‑night‑stand, who makes a bet with her. If she loses, she must live in his apartment. If he loses, he must abstain from his fun‑loving ways for a month.” That’s a far cry from the story universe of “The Keeping Room,” so what attracted you to “Beautiful Disaster”?

Julia: It’s a funny description because it’s a very violent and sexy story. I think those were two elements that really drew me to it. The male character’s an underground fighter and there’s lots of fights in the film. There’s also some really, some sex scenes that were really different, interesting, and fun to write. Also, a lot of those types of stories or those types of movies, again, are about a good girl being drawn in by a bad boy. What I like about this story is that she has a past of her own and she has a dark side and it’s not black and white.

I like the idea of getting to write that type of female character and that type of male character. I haven’t written many male characters, so that felt like an interesting challenge. As I said earlier, I find love scenes really hard to write, so it’s been a great challenge for me.

Scott: Based on these two projects, is it fair to say you want to write a wide variety of stories? Or do you see yourself zeroing in on one genre area?

Julia: I really like writing really different things. I have another spec floating around out there…

Scott: Is that “Miss Stevens”?

Julia: Yes, which is also very different. I love so many different kinds of movies. I’m really excited that I can experiment with a bunch of different genres. I think the one through thread thus far is that they all have complex female protagonists. I love writing about them. I love figuring out what they do and what they say. Other than that, I think my different scripts don’t really have much in common.

Scott: Let’s hope we’re at a tipping point on that, or at least we’re in an arc toward more female leads.

Julia: I hope so. I’m excited about being a part of a world that puts more women in hero roles. I’m excited to write more stuff like that. “Keeping Room” has whet my whistle for it. I would love to write a big female action movie. I recently re-watched, “Alien,” and, “Aliens,” and I just wish there were more characters like Ripley.

Scott: Speaking of female leads, what’s going on with another of your spec scripts “Miss Stevens?”

Julia: I’m hoping we’re going to get something announced on it sooner rather than later. We have an actress attached for the lead, and a director.

Scott: OK. And could you tell us what the log line on that is, or is that…we have to keep that secret?

Julia: No, I think I can talk about it [laughs] .

Scott: So what’s the story?

Julia: It is inspired by my days as a teacher, but she’s not me and the school isn’t my school. It’s a lot of invention for the sake of drama. It’s about this hapless, but lovable teacher whose life is a mess who chaperones a group of students on a weekend trip to a state drama competition. It’s all about how her relationships with her students ultimately help her figure things out.

Scott: That sounds fun.

Julia: High jinx and mayhem ensue.

Scott: Yes [laughs] . Your husband is Jordan Horowitz, movie producer, and his credits include, “Kids are All Right,” and the upcoming Matthew Weiner movie, “You Are Here.” He’s a producer on, “The Keeping Room.” Could you describe what your working relationship is like? How actively involved is Jordan in your writing process?

Julia: Very, very active. Nothing leaves the house without his seal of approval. Some of the best moments in the scripts are his. We sort of have the perfect… like our skill sets are perfectly complementary in terms of what the scripts need in order to be something that we’re happy with, and he’s so good at story. And I had other writers tell me that, I assumed it was true, but it’s been really fun getting to experience your partner’s talent firsthand. I’m so lucky to have someone who’s so talented and honest and always has my best interest at heart.

I got in touch with Julia to provide an update on the movie Miss Stevens:

Scott: As it turns out, you ended up directing Miss Stevens, right?

Julia: Yes, I directed Miss Stevens this last May. Actually, being on set for The Keeping Room was a huge part of the reason I realized I wanted to direct. Jordan and I rewrote the script together and Beachside financed/produced with Jordan. Lily Rabe and Timothee Chalamet star. It was an amazing experience. I loved being able to tell my own story. I loved working with the actors and the crew watching everything come to life. The only hard part was having to be away from my son so much.

Scott: After directing your first movie, what did you learn from the experience in terms of you as a writer?

Julia: The main thing I learned about myself as a writer while directing is just how much less you need to say when you have a visual. On the page, what can feel like it needs four lines to come across can really just take one look. I think I’ll still over write on the page because you can always cut back, you can’t add to a shot or a scene. What you have is what you have. But it’s certainly something important to keep in mind.

Tomorrow in Part 5, Julia talks about her approach to the craft of screenwriting.

For Part 1 of the interview, go here.

Part 2, here.

Part 3, here.

For The Keeping Room’s website, go here.

Declare Your Independents! Watch for The Keeping Room when it opens in your local theater or on VOD and see it!