Anna Kendrick Describes Directing And Starring in ‘Woman of the Hour’ as Working “With a Blindfold on”

Anna Kendrick has taken on the ambitious task of both directing and starring in ‘Woman of the Hour’, a film that delves into the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala. Balancing these dual roles, she describes the experience as “a little bit like directing with a blindfold on.” This analogy captures the challenges she faced while managing the creative and logistical demands of filmmaking.

Kendrick explains that after performing a scene, she would rush to the monitor to review just 30 seconds of footage, hoping there were “no surprises when I get into the edit.” However, she encountered unexpected moments during the editing process, yet persevered, acknowledging the right shooting schedule of 24 days and the limited resources available. Despite the difficulties, she expresses pride in tackling such a complex project.

Image Courtesy: People

Reflecting on the pre-production stage, Kendrick recalls a particularly chaotic day when it felt as if everything was falling apart. “It truly felt like, ‘I don’t know if the train’s going to fall off the tracks,’” she remembers. 

In a moment of reflection, she turned to her car to listen to a Weezer album, reminding herself that her younger self would be thrilled to see her directing a film. This thought served as motivation to push through the obstacles she faced.

On set, Kendrick grappled with lingering doubts about her directing abilities, questioning whether she was missing any fundamental skills. “Is there a secret director thing that I’m forgetting to do that everybody knows that I should be doing?” she pondered. Nonetheless, she remained open to discussions with her cast, ensuring that everyone felt confident and represented, particularly when working with actors like Best, who has a disability.

Although Kendrick has not yet identified her next directing project, she acknowledges that topping this first experience will be a challenge. Her journey in ‘Woman of the Hour’ showcases her growth as a filmmaker and her dedication to storytelling.

-Sushmita Sarkar

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