Tiffany Paulsen Discusses Her First Movie With Jenna Ortega And Percy Hynes

When Tiffany Paulsen first embarked on making her feature directorial debut, ‘Winter Spring Summer or Fall’, Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White had not yet gained widespread fame from the hit ‘Wednesday.’ At the time, Ortega was their “first choice … dream … unicorn” for the role of Remi Aguilar, an ambitious genius who falls for Barnes Hawthorne, Hynes White’s music-loving rebel.

Paulsen recalls how Ortega was immediately drawn to the script, leading to their first meeting just as Ortega was about to begin filming ‘Wednesday.’ The process of refining the script, securing studio backing, and finding financing was lengthy. By the time they were ready to start filming, ‘Wednesday’ had been completed and was preparing for its Netflix debut. 

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To accommodate Ortega’s schedule, filming began on Halloween day, with a planned three-week break for Ortega and Hynes White to handle ‘Wednesday’ press commitments. When the duo returned to the set, the atmosphere was electric. Paulsen describes the scene as “pandemonium,” with fans flocking to their remote Utah location, creating a frenzy around the stars.

However, the project faced controversy when, after filming concluded, Hynes White was accused of s*xual assault by a Twitter user. The allegations, which were later deleted, claimed he had assaulted her and other women at parties in Toronto. Hynes White denied these accusations, stating they were “false” and expressing that the misinformation campaign had resulted in threats to his family and friends. He defended himself on Instagram, emphasising that no formal charges had been filed.

Paulsen expressed her dismay over the situation, emphasising the dangers of the internet where “anybody can say anything about anyone.” She noted the difficulty of addressing such accusations and stated she felt deeply for Hynes White. Despite the controversy, Paulsen never considered recasting and remained focused on completing the film without letting the allegations impact the final product.

Ahead of the film’s premiere at the Tribeca Festival, Paulsen shared her commitment to the project and her cast. She worked diligently to block out the noise and ensure the film stayed true to its vision. “I just kept the noise away from me and focused on finishing my movie,” Paulsen said, underscoring her dedication to bringing the story to life as originally intended.

-Sushmita Sarkar