Why the choice of director or film/TV series?

Little Women by Greta Gerwig

1. Powerful performances:
Features all star casts, including Saoise Ronan, Emma Watson,
Florence Pugh and Meryl Streep. The casts deliver powerful
performances that bring the characters to life in a new captivating
way

2. Timeless themes:
Family, love and self-discovery themes resonate with audiences of all
ages and backgrounds

3. Female perspective:
The film explores the challenges and joys of being a woman in a
male-dominated society and celebrates the strength and resilience of
woman

4. Beautiful cinematography:
The film is visually stunning, with breathtaking shots of the New
England countryside and expertly crafted interior scenes. The
attention to detail creates an immersive experience that draws
viewers into the world of the March family

5. Award-winning:
Six Oscar nominations, Best Costume Design
How does each director start working on their films?

Greta Gerwig’s involvement in the Little Women (2019) project began in

2016 when producer Amy Pascal approached her with the idea of directing
a new adaptation of the classic novel. Gerwig was initially hesitant because
she felt that the story had already been told many times before, but she
eventually agreed to read the book again and consider the project.

As Gerwig revisited the novel, she became increasingly interested in the

character of Jo March and the book’s themes of ambition, creativity, and
independence. She began to develop a new approach to the story that
would emphasize the female perspective and explore the emotional lives of
the March Sisters in greater depth.

Gerwig worked closely with Pascal and the film’s screenwriter, Saral Polley,
to develop the script and refine her vision for the film. She also assembled
an all-star cast, including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh,
Eliza Scanlen and Timothee Chalamet, to bring the characters to life on
screen.

Throughout the filming process, Gerwig remained committed to honoring

the spirit of Louisa May Alcott’s original novel while also creating
something fresh and relevant for contemporary audiences. The result is a
beautiful and powerful film that has been widely acclaimed by critics and
audiences alike.
How did they break down or analyze their screenplays?

Greta Gerwig approached the screenplay for Little Women (2019) by

breaking down and analyzing the structure of Louisa May Alcott’s original
novel. In interviews, she has discussed her process in detail.

First Gerwig read the novel multiple times, taking extensive notes and
highlighting key themes and motifs. She then created a detailed outline of
the story, breaking it down into its component parts and mapping out the
relationship between the characters.

Next, Gerwig began to consider the structure of the screenplay. She

decided to depart from the linear structure of the novel and instead
interweave two timelines: one set in the past, when the March sisters were
young and living at home, and one set in the present, when they have grown
up and moved away from home. This structure allowed Gerwig to explore
the themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time in a more
complex and nuanced way.

Gerwig also made some changes to the characters and plot of the novel in
order to emphasize certain themes and make the story more resonant for
modern audiences. For example, she gave the character of Amy March
(played by Florence Pugh) a more prominent role in the story and developed
her relationship with Laurie (played by Timothee Chalamet) in a new and
surprising way.

Overall, Gerwig’s approach to analyzing the Little Women screenplay

involved a deep engagement with the source material, a careful
consideration of themes and structure, and a willingness to make bold
creative choices in service of a fresh and relevant adaption.
How do they work with actors to get the best performance?

Greta Gerwig is known for her collaborative and actor-focused approach to

directing and her work with the ensemble cast of Little Women (2019) was
no exception. Here are some ways in which she worked with the actors to
get the best performances:

1. Rehearsals:
Gerwig held extensive rehearsals with the cast prior to filming, during
which they worked on the characters’ relationships, motivations and
emotional journeys. This allowed the actors to develop a deeper
understanding of their characters and build a sense of camaraderie
and trust with one another.

2. Improvisation:
In addition to scripted scenes, Gerwig encourages the actors to
improvise and experiment with different approaches to the material.
This allowed for more naturalistic and spontaneous performances
and gave the actors a greater sense of ownership over their
characters

3. Personal connections:
Gerwig worked with each actor to find personal connections to their
characters and the story, allowing them to bring their own
experiences and emotions to their performances. For example,
Saoirse Ronan drew on her own Irish background to inform her
portrayal of Jo March

4. Emotional preparation:
Gerwig also worked with the actors to prepare emotionally for their
scenes, using techniques such as meditation, visualization, and
music to help them connect with the emotional core of the story
 5. Collaborative environment:
Throughout the filming process, Gerwig maintained a collaborative
and supportive environment on set, encouraging the actors to
contribute their own ideas and feedback. This allowed for a greater
sense of ownership and investment in the project and led to some of
the standout performances of the film

Overall, Gerwig’s approach to working with actors on Little Women (2019)

emphasized collaboration, experimentation, and emotional preparation,
resulting in a powerful and emotionally resonant ensemble performance.