6/7/2017 VanillaSkyProductionNotes|TheUncoolTheOfficialSiteforEverythingCameronCrowe

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VanillaSkyProductionNotes

Ioncelovedawoman,achildImtold.Igavehermyheartbutshewantedmysoul.
BobDylan,DontThinkTwice,ItsAllRight

Whenyouwereyoungandonyourown,howdiditfeeltobealone?IwasalwaysthinkingofgamesthatIwasplaying,tryingtomakethebestofmy
time.Butonlylovecanbreakyourheart.Trytobesurerightfromthestart.Yes,onlylovecanbreakyourheart.Whatifyourworldshouldfall
apart?
NeilYoung,OnlyLoveCanBreakYourHeart

Snowboardingthroughlife,DavidAamesappearstoleadacharmedlife.Handsome,wealthyandcharismatic,theyoungNewYorkCitypublishing
executivesfreewheelingexistenceisenchanting,yetheseemstobemissingsomething.LikethepointillismofanImpressionistlandscape,alifecan
appeartobeentirelydifferentwhenexaminedcloseup.

InonenightDavidmeetsagirlofhisdreamsandlosesherbymakingasmallmistake.Thrustunexpectedlyontoarollercoasterrideofromance,
comedy,suspicion,love,sexanddreams,Davidfindshimselfonamindbendingsearchforhissoulanddiscoverstheprecious,ephemeralnatureof
truelove.

ParamountPicturespresentsVanillaSkyACruise/WagnerVinylFilmsProduction.ACameronCroweFilm.ThefilmstarsTomCruise,Penlope
Cruz,KurtRussell,JasonLee,NoahTaylorandCameronDiaz.DirectedbyCameronCrowe,VanillaSkyisproducedbyTomCruise,PaulaWagner
andCameronCrowe,fromascreenplaybyCameronCrowe,baseduponthefilmAbreLosOjoswrittenbyAlejandroAmenbarandMateoGil.
JonathanSangerandDannyBramsonserveasExecutiveProducers.TheAssociateProducerisMichaelDoven.

ParamountPicturesispartoftheentertainmentoperationsofViacomInc.,oneoftheworldslargestentertainmentandmediacompanies,anda
leaderintheproduction,promotionanddistributionofentertainmentnews,sportsandmusic.ThisfilmisratedRbytheMotionPictureAssociation
ofAmericafor

ABOUTTHESTORY

AlejandroAmenbars1997Spanishromanticthriller,AbreLosOjos,becamethecatalystforVanillaSky.ProducerPaulaWagnersaysthefilm
appealedtoher,TomCruiseandCameronCrowe,anditofferedanopportunityforthemtoworktogetheragain.

WesawAbreLosOjosseparatelyandtogether,Wagnernotes,andweallknewthatthiswastherightproject.Tous,VanillaSkyistheequivalent
ofdoingacovertoagreatsong.Wepayhomagetothefilm,butwealsohopetobringourownnuancesandinterpretationstoit.

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WhatIwantedtodowithVanillaSkywastotakepeopleonamodern,emotionaljourney,saysCrowe,Ithinkpeoplegotothemoviestobe
transported,andthisfilmgentlyguidesyoutoabizarreandpassionateplaceinyourheart.Weconstructedthemovie,visuallyandstorywise,to
revealmoreandmorethecloseryoulookatit.Asdeepasyouwanttogowithit,mydesirewasforthemovietomeetyouthere.

WagnerfeelscertainthatVanillaSkylivesuptonotonlythefilmmakersexpectations,butthatitwillalsoliveuptotheaudiences.

Thisfilmpushestheedges,shesays.Itbreaksthemoldofconventionalfilmmaking,whileatthesametime,itisveryaccessible,warmand
emotional.Therearemanyelementsandlayerstoit,andattheend,yourealizesomethingmoreaboutthetruthoflife.

Indeed,VanillaSkypushestheenvelopeinmanyways.Infact,Croweaddsthathealsowantedtotakeadeeperlookintothemeaningofloveand
sexinthenewmillennium,andthatAbreLosOjoswasacatalysttoexploringthisveryrichtopic.

Iwantedtodoamovieabouttheworldofcasualsexandaboutyoungadultstakingresponsibilityfortheirlives,Croweexplains.AbreLosOjos,
inspiredmetomakemyownstatement.ItwaslikeaperfectkindofPetridishtoexploreallthisstuff.Hopefullywevecreatedacooldialoguewith
Amenbarsoriginalmovie.Tothatend,WagnerlikensCrowesdirectorialstyletothatofaconductorleadingasymphony.Cameronorchestrated
VanillaSkybeautifully,shesays.Itwashisvision.Heputinalltheplayers,allthenotesandallthetones,andeveryperformancehasbeenfinely
tuned.

Butanactorsperformanceisonlyasgoodasthedialogueheorshehastoworkwith,andVanillaSky,likeallofCrowesscreenplays,islacedwith
dialoguesomemorablethatmuchofitstayswithviewerslongafterthefilmisover.

Somehow,Cameronhastheabilitytosumupahumanexperienceinasingleline,musesWagner,whoaddsthatwhileVanillaSkymarksCrowes
firstscreenplaytobeadaptedfromanexistingfilm,thewriter/directorhadasingularvisionaboutthematerialfromthestart.

Itsaromanticthrilleraboutthesearchfortheeternalnatureoflove,Wagnersays.Itsemotional,itshumorous,butitsalsoathrillrideasthe
characterDavidAamesuncoverseternaltruthsaboutlove,himselfandtheworld.Cameronhadadeepconnectiontothestoryandthecharacters.

Asexcited,asCrowewasaboutthefilmitself,hewasequallyasenthusiasticaboutworkingagainwithTomCruise.

Tomisagifttoanydirector,saysCrowe.Hebringsakindofemotionalcentertoanythinghedoes,andinourmoviehemakesDavidAamesevery
mansotheaudiencecanidentifywithhim.Tomcapturesreallife.Heputseverythingyouwanttoexpressinascriptonthescreenandheworks
tirelesslyuntilyourehappy.Inturn,CruisehadnothingbutpraiseforCrowe,aswellasforthefilmitself.

IthinkVanillaSkyisterrific,andadefinitecredittoCameronsstorytelling.Cruisesays.Hesabrilliantwriter,abrilliantdirector,andhes
brilliantwithactors.Whenyoureworkingwithhim,yourejustconstantlygrowingandchallengingyourself.

Cruisedescribeshischaracterwithjustasmuchpassion.LikeCrowe,hesaysthatDavidAamesiskindoflikeaPrinceofNewYork,whohas
inheritedeverything,workedhardatnothing,andisessentiallythefacadeofwhatpeoplethinktheywanttobe.

Hesaguywithalotofpotential,andthefilmishisjourneyofselfawakening,explainsCruise.Itsthepricethathepaysforbeingcarelesswith
otherpeoplesfeelings.Itsagreatcharactertoplay.

TheloveofDavidslifeappearsinthesmall,sensualformofSofiaSerrano,portrayedbyPenlopeCruz.Ambitiousandoptimistic,Sofiaexudesa
positive,downtoearthlifeforceandasexualitythatcutsthroughDavidsrarefiedworldofsycophantsandopportunists.Instantly,sheattractshim.
ShesthelastguilelessgirlinNewYorkCity,saysDavidAames.

Cruzsaysshelobbiedfortherole,whichshesecretlyconsideredherown,sinceshehadplayedSofiainAbreLosOjos.Itdidnttakemuchto
convinceCrowe,CruiseandWagnerthatshewastheirSofiaaswell.CastingPenlopeisanexampleofhowwepayhomagetotheoriginalfilm,says
Wagner.WithCameronsdirection,shesbasicallycreatedacompletelydifferentcharacter.

PenlopeCruzplayingSofiaSerranowasadreamofmine,admitsCrowe.ShesawonderfullinktoAmenbarsoriginalinspirationandIalso
heardprivatelythatshewasgoingtocomeafterwhoeverremadeAbreLosOjoswithanUziiftheydidntcasther.Crowelaughs,thenaddsthathe
thoughtatthetime,Nowthatsthekindofpassionyouwantinyourleadinglady!

CrowewentontodescribehowbothPenlopesandTomspassionfortheirrolestranslatedintoawonderfulonscreenchemistry.

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Ifellinlovewiththiscouplethroughthelens,saysCrowe.Infact,Iwouldcometoworkeverydayandbeanxioustoseetheirscenestogether,to
seewhattheircharactersweregoingtobringoutineachother.

Weworkedveryhard,butwehadablasttogether,admitsCruise,whoalsohadalottosayabouthisleadinglady.Penlopebringsrealityand
humanitytohercharacterwithsuchgraceandperfection.Itsnowonderanyonewouldimmediatelyfallinlovewithher,andthatswhathappensto
DavidAames.

AlthoughCruzspartinAbreLosOjosandVanillaSkyaretechnicallythesame,CruzadamantlyconsidersthetwoSofiascompletelydifferent
women.

Itreallywasntthesamepartatall,andIfeltlikeIwasinanentirelydifferentmovie,Cruzsays.Cameronbroughtoutsomuchmoreofthelove
storybetweenSofiaandDavid.YougottoknowmuchmoreaboutSofiaasapersonthroughtheirrelationshipinVanillaSky.Thatswhyitneverfelt
likeIwasredoingaroleIhadalreadyplayed.

Cruzisafriendly,openwomanwhosestaggeringbeautybeliesanengaging,ingenuousgoofystreakthatmanifestsitselfinherfondnessforthe
animatedhit,SouthPark.Shealsohasabigheartedabilitytotakeajoke.Forexample,CroweandcinematographerJohnTolldelightedin
sometimeshidingwickedlittlenotesfortheactresstodiscoveronthesetduringherscenes.TheSpanishbornCruzsreactionstotheseplayful
pranks,aswellasheroccasionalmalapropisms,earnedhersomegoodnaturedribbingandthenicknameLupe,whichCrowebestowedonher.In
fact,thedirectorprobablycalledout,Action,Lupe,asmuchasAction,Penlopethroughouttheproduction.

Ididntmind.Everyonewassokind,andalltheteasingcamefromaffection,saysCruz,whointurncheerfullypronouncedCrowesfirstnamewitha
Spanishcadence,camarn,whichinSpanishmeans,shrimp.

Names,infact,wereabigissueonVanillaSky.BetweenTomsandPenlopessimilarlastnames,CruiseandCruz,andespeciallybetweenCrowes
andDiazsidenticalfirstnames,Cameron,monikerswereabitconfusing.Ultimately,CameronDiazansweredtoCD.

Yes,thesolutionwastocallmeCD.IttookmeawhiletogetusedtoitbecauseImusuallytheonlyCameronintheroom,Diaznotes.Peoplewould
talktoCameronCrowe,andIdinstinctivelyrespond.Itwasalwaysverysurprising,butitwasntbad.Infact,itwasfuntohaveanewname.

Diazsayshercharacter,JulieGianni,isavulnerablewomandespiteheroutwardassuranceandallure.Shefindsherselfinaprecariousemotional
positioncommontomanywomen.

Julieisthegoodtimegirl,theonewhoalwaysknowshowtomakepeople,especiallyguys,feelcomfortablewithoutanypressure.Butthatisnt
enoughforheranymore,especiallyonceshemeetsDavidAamesandfallsinlovewithhim.Theydontmakethatcommitmenttooneanother,andat
first,thatsfine.ButwhenwemeetJulieinthefilm,shestryingtodefinethedirectionoftherelationship,andthataffectseverythinginherlife.Diaz
explainsthatshewasdrawntotherolebecauseJulienotonlyhasauniquepersonality,butsheisalsosomeonewithwhommanywomencanrelate.

Shes27yearsold,shesnotinacommittedrelationship,andhercareerisintransition,Diazsays.Shefeelsdisconnected,evendesperate,andthen
shemeetsDavidAames.Sheloveshim,andheseemstohavefeelingsforher,buttherelationshipisnotquitecomingtofruition.Slowly,sherealizes
hewontprotecther,hewontbeherknight,andshelosesherstepalittlebit.

Diazadds,Ithinkthatallwomenhaveexperiencedthatmomentintheirlifewhentheyrejustnotgettingwhattheyneedfromarelationship,and
insteadofwalkingaway,theykeeptrying.Ithinkwevealldrivenbyaguyshouseonthewayhome,justtoseeifthelightsareon,becausehedidnt
call.AndJuliesgottenintothatplace,withverydireconsequences.Iunderstoodwhatshewasgoingthrough.Itwaspurepain,andwhenyouarein
pain,youdostupidthings.Ifshehadanotherchance,ifshewasabletogetsomeperspective,Juliewouldprobablydothingsdifferently.

Meanwhile,DiazsoffscreenrelationshipwithhercostarCruisewasmuchmorerewardingthanJuliesfictionalonewithDavidAames.

Tombroughtcompletehumanitytotherole,Diazsays.HesgoteverythingthatDavidAamesdoesnthave,inthatheiscaring,compassionateand
generous.DavidAamesmighthaveallthecharmthatTomhas,buthecantbethereforpeople.Hecantcommittoanyoneoranything,nottohis
friends,ortohiscareer.Helivesinaselfcenteredworld,whichdoesntmeanhesabadguy.Itsjustthatthathekeepslifeatadistance,inavery
appealing,butultimately,lonelyway.

Afriendlyworkingrelationshipbetweenthetwoonscreenrivals,DiazandCruz,alsodeveloped,andtogetherwiththeirsharedonscreenparamour
Cruise,thetriohadagreattime.Infact,thoughthethreeactorsdidntsharemanyscenestogether,theywereinseparableonthosedaysthattheir

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workdovetailed,laughingandjokingbetweentakes.BothCruzandDiazattributethathappyenvironmenttoCroweandCruiseandtheirpassionfor
theproject.

CameronandTomaresothoughtfulandappreciativethatitwasalwaysapleasureandfuntocometotheset,Cruzsays.Therewasasenseof
friendshipandplayfulnessthatcreatedasafeplacetodothebestworkpossible,toexplorethecharactersandtheirrelationships.

AccordingtoCruz,Croweworkedinaparticularlynurturingwaywithher.Oftenrehearsingwithheroffset,hedtosshernotjustnewlines,butalso
lessobviousartisticcues,fromvarioussounds,toSpanishexpressions,tofeelings.Itwasalotlikeajazzmusicianriffingwithabandmate.

Itwasaveryorganickindofacting,Cruzsays.CameronandTommadeitallverysafeandcomfortabletoplaywithnewideas.Cameron
encouragedmetoexperiment,too.Hetalkedtomeallduringthetakes,suggestingdifferentthingsformycharacter.Itwasaveryexcitingwayto
work,reallythrilling.

DiazagreeswithCruz.CameronandTomweretwopeoplethatIwantedtoworkwithforalongtime,sothiswasagreatopportunity.Cameronisthe
nicestmanwhoeverwalkedtheearth.Hessogenerousandgifted.Hereallyknowshowtobethere,tobepresent,andhetotallyloveshisactors.
Tomissosupportive,andwasthereforuseverysecond,intermsofacting,soitwaslikeconstant,instantgratificationwithhim.AndCameron,he
knowswhathewants.Hisstyleissolaidback,andwhenyoudosomethinghelikes,hessoenthusiasticthatyoucanthelpbutwanttopleasehim.It
wasawonderfulatmosphereontheset,andtheteamofTomandCameronwasamazing.Theyreallyconnectcreatively,theyspeakthesame
language,andtheyhavegreatchemistrythattheyconveywithsuchjoyandenergy.Weallreallyenjoyedoneanotheraspeople.

ThefeelingismutualforCrowe,whoadmitsthatheisabigfanofhisstars,notjustbecauseoftheiractingability,butbecauseofwhomtheyare.

Theseareallpeoplethatjustkindofvoraciouslyenjoyeveryminuteoftheprocess,andIwasinspiredbythem,saysCrowe.Penlopethrows
herselfintotheexperienceoffilmmaking,CameronDiazisthesamewayandTom,heslegendarilyknownforthat.Itsreallytellingthatmanyofthe
verybiggeststarsarefansoftheprocessthemselves.Thejoyshowsinthewaytheyact.

CameronDiaz,PenlopeCruz,JasonLee,KurtRussell,allofthesepeopleareprofessionals,andtheyreallybroughttheirgameonthispicture,
addsCruise.Wewerelikeacommunityofpeopleallworkingwiththesameintentionandworkingtowardthesamegoaltomakethebestpicture
wecan.Infact,themoodoneverysetCameronworksonisoneofgenerosityandcommunion.

BesidesreapingthebenefitsofCrowesinsightfuldirection,Diazalsoreceivedanadditionalgiftfromhimintheformofathemesongforher
character.

Julieismakingatransitioninhercareerfrommodeltosinger,andshescutanalbum,Diazexplains.SoshesgotthisCDthatsheshufflesaround
town,tryingtogetpeopleinterestedinhermusic.Hersongs,ofcourse,areinspiredbyherlife,andthesongwehear,naturally,iscalledIFallApart.
Well,CameronCroweismarriedtoNancyWilsonfromHeart.Igrewuplisteningtothatrockband,andIusedtostareatthealbumcoversofthese
talented,beautifulwomen.MysisterandIwereinaweofthem,andwesawtheminconcert400times.So,atonepoint,Camerontoldme,Wehave
thissongwedlikeyoutosing.Actually,Nancyhasbeenworkingonit,andshewantstocomeintosingitforyou,tofindoutwhatyouthinkaboutit.
Ithought,NancyWilsonwantsMYopinion?Iwascompletelystunned.

DiazandWilsonlaterrecordedIFallApartinthesamestudiothatFleetwoodMacrecordedtherecordbreakingalbum,Rumors.

Thewholeexperiencewasreallycool,Diazsays.Ofcourse,theyhadtoaddsomeofNancysvoiceovermine,butImstilltotallydelighted.

Notsurprisingly,musicwasanintegralparttoCrowesdirectorialstyle.WiththehelpofassociateproducerScottMartin,whoservedasthesets
unofficialDJ,Croweusedaneclecticarrayofmusicthroughouttheshoot.SignalingMartintoplayakeypieceofacertainsongrightbeforevarious
takesandsometimesduringthem,Crowesetthemoodfortheactorsandprovidedthemwithanewavenueofinspiration.Heusedthesame
techniquewhileshootingAlmostFamous,withequallygoodresults.Onthatfilm,however,heveeredtowardclassicrock,andwhilehedidusesome
BeatlestunesonthesetofVanillaSky,Croweusuallyturnedtoedgierfare,suchasimporteddancemusicandtechnobeats.

Theactorslovedthismusicalinfluence.Infact,duringaweeklongpartysceneonthesetofDavidsapartment,themusicplayednonstopduringtakes
andwhilethecrewsetupshots.Thewholeshootwasveryfestive,andthegrips,cameraoperatorsandelectriccrewpracticallydancedastheyrigged
equipment.

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Musicisveryimportanttome,andoftenitisthejumpingoffpointforamovie,saysCrowe.Alotoftimesitbeginswithasong,andinthecaseof
VanillaSky,thisgreat,littleknownartistnamedJulieMillerhadasongcalledByWayofSorrowthatstartedeverythingrolling.Soweplayitall
thetimeontheset,anditchangesthewayeveryoneworks.Itevenchangesthewaytheactorsact.

ThismusicalapproachwasnosurprisetoJasonLee,whoplaysBrianShelby,DavidAamesbestfriend.LeeisanalumnusofCameronCrowesfilms,
havingplayedleadsingerJeffBebeinAlmostFamous.Agiftedmusicianhimself,withanimpressiverecordingstudioinhisapartment,Leesays
thatmusiconthesethelpscluehimintotheattitudeofthesceneandofthecharacters.

ThecharactersandtheirrelationshipsareimportanttoCameron,Leesays.Forexample,JerryMaguireisafilmaboutthejourneyofone
particularsportsagent.ButitwassomuchmorethanthatbecauseitwasCamerondirecting.Hefindsmomentsandtouchesthatelevatethe
charactersbeyondtheobviousandmakethemreal.OnAlmostFamous,thewordheusedmorethananyotherwordwasreal.Thishastobereal.
Therelationshipshavetobereal.Thesituationshavetobereal.Thestagepresenceofthebandhastobereal.Thisisntamovieaboutthe70s
clichs.Itisamovieaboutpeoplerelatingandhavingsimilarexperiences.Ithappenstotakeplacein73.

LeeexplainsthatCrowealwaysputsthecharactersfirst,andinVanillaSkyitsespeciallytruewhenfantasyandrealityblendtogether.

Wealwaysplayedthefantasyasreality,andthatcouldbetrickywithanotherdirector,Leenotes.WithCameron,however,youfeelsaferightfrom
thegetgo.Youknowheisgoingtoputthecharacterfirst.Becauseofthat,Leeadds,hisparthasbecomemuchmorethanjustthatofthestandard
sidekick.

BrianShelbyisagood,honestfriendtoDavidAames.Theyvebeenfriendsfor20somethingyears,andDavidispayingBriantowritehisfirstnovel.
ItendtoplayTheBestFriendinalotofmovies.Imthecharacterwhoisalwaysaffectedbysomethingorsomeone.Thatcouldgetold.ButCameron
wantssubstance,andhenevergoesfortheobvious.Brianchangessubtlythroughoutthefilm,andingeneral,hehasanintegrityanddignityabout
him.So,whileDavidAamesistheguywhohasallthepopularity,thewomenandthemoney,Brianisverycoolaboutitandfindsthehumorinit,even
whenDaviddoesdespicablethings.Infact,BrianrespectsandadmiresDavid,evenathisworst.Basically,BrianisbigenoughtoletDavidhavehis
world.

Cruiseaddsthatnotonlydoeshischaracter,DavidAames,believeinBrian,butalsohe,TomCruise,believedinJasonLeeasanactortopulloffsuch
anintegralcharacterinthefilm.

Jasonscharacteris,asalways,incredible,saysCruise.

ThisismysecondmoviewithJason,anditsagifttoworkwithpeoplewhoknowyouridiosyncrasies,saysCrowe.Ivealwaysadmiredthedirectors
whohaveregularactorsappearingasdifferentcharactersintheirmovies.BillyWilderoftenusedthesamestableofactors.Theyswirledthroughhis
filmsandgavehismoviescontinuitythatsfuntofollowasafan.

KurtRussellplayspsychiatristCurtisMcCabe.AlthoughtechnicallyRussellwasnotanAlmostFamousveteran,hisstepdaughterKateHudson
playedtheluminousPennyLaneinthefilm.ItwasontheAlmostFamoussetwhereRussellgothisfirsttasteofwhatitmightbeliketoworkon
VanillaSky.

IdvisitedtheAlmostFamoussetacoupleoftimes,andIwasveryimpressedwiththewayCameronworked,Russellrecalls.TomandIwere
friendsalready,andwehadtalkedoverthelasttenyearsorsoaboutthepossibilityofworkingtogether,buttherightingredientshadntcome
togetherforthattohappen.IwasatthepointwhereIwaswonderingwhatpathIwantedtotake,intermsofthebusiness,andwhatIreallylooked
forwardtowasworkingwithgreatpeople.Infact,Ididntevenreadthescript.Thatwasnotthepoint.Iwantedtohavetheopportunitytoworkwith
peoplelikeCameronCroweandTomCruise,andIthoughtitwouldbeablast.Iwasreallythankfulthattheopportunityfinallypresenteditself,and
thattheywantedmetodoit.

Happily,Russelldidhaveablastonthemovie.HisscenesweremostlywithCruise,andthetwolaughedeasilyandoftenbetweentakesandwhile
rehearsinglineswitheachother.Evenwhenamovielightintheceilingmysteriouslypoppedduringanintensescene,itwaslaughterthatalways
prevailed.

IhadaballworkingwithTom,Russellsays.Therearesomepeoplewithwhom,forsomereason,youshareacamaraderie.TomandIhavealotof
thesamelikesinlife.Plus,Ivealwaysenjoyedhiswork.Hesextremelyentertainingandaverygood,accomplishedactor.

RussellwentontodescribeCruiseswellhonedactingstyle.

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Wehadseveralemotionalscenestogether,andTomhandledthemwithacertaineaseandgrace.Forexample,whenMcCabetriestodrawDavidout
ofhisnightmarethatis,hisliteralandfigurativemaskTomjustsortoflockedintoit.Hegetstothetruth.IalsothinkTomisextremelyversatile
inhisabilitytotakealineandplayit20differentwaysandstilltellthestoryinatruthful,compellingway.Ifindhisabilitytomovethestoryalongin
character,asopposedtodoingthingsthatjustpullmeoutofthemovie,veryadmirable.DescribingCroweaspartofthepackofgreatdirectors,
Russellelaboratesonhisadmirationforthegiftedfilmmaker.

Hisperceptionsareunique,andinmyopinion,incrediblyrightontarget,Russellsays.Ithinkthatsprobablywhatotheractorsfeellikewhenthey
workwithhim.Hisinstinctsmakesensethatis,whathewantsyoutotryandfeel.Thewayhecommunicatesthatisinthewayofthegreatdirectors.
Lifeisinteresting,andanyonescenecanbeexpressedinanumberofways.ButCameronisonlyinterestedinthechoicethatsgoingtobringabout
thetruestsentimentorperception.Hisworkhasaveryrealisticyetstylizedflavor,butitsallanchoredinanemotionaltruth.

Obviously,Russelleventuallyreadthescriptrepeatedly.

WhenIreadthescriptthefirsttime,Ifoundittobecompelling,Russellrecalls.Bytheseventhoreighthtime,Irealizedthatwitheveryread,Igot
anotherpieceofthepuzzle.Infact,Ithinkthatitllbeinterestingtofindoutifthisisntoneofthosemoviesthatyougetmoreoutofthefourthor
fifthtimeyouseeit.

IvealwaysbeenafanofKurtRussell,saysCrowe.Hesgotsuchaneffortless,likeableandsomehowalwaysdeepquality.Hesjustplainfunto
watch.Heworksharderwhensomethingisntworking.Hewantstopleaseyouandyouwanttopleasehim.

Cruise,whohasbeennotonlyafanofRussellforyears,butalsohisfriend,couldntagreemore.

CameronandIwerediscussingwhocouldplaythepsychiatristandwebothagreedKurthastoplayit,saysCruise.Sohecameontheset,shotfora
coupleofweeks,andhejustreallyscored.

Crowe,whotrulyenjoyedworkingontheentireproduction,sumsuphisexperienceworkingwithRussellandwiththeentirecastbest:Itwastrulya
greatcollaboration.

ABOUTTHEPRODUCTION

ThecompanyshotforapproximatelysixweeksinNewYork,duringthecityspeakThanksgiving/Christmasseason.Movingbackandforth,from
CentralParkandtheUpperWestSidetoTimesSquare,SohoandBrooklyn,theperipateticproductionprovidedanexcitingattractionfortourists
andthrongsofpaparazzi.

OneofthefilmsmostambitiousandsuccessfulscenesoccurredinTimesSquare.TheshotrequiredtheSteadicamoperatortobuildanapparatus,
similartoarickshaw,whichallowedhimtostaylowenoughtomeetCruiseashepulledupinhissportscar.Then,asCruiserandownthestreet,the
cameramanhoppedontoacraneandfollowedtheactorfromhighaboveashesprinteddownTimesSquare.

WhatmadetheshotevenmoreastonishingwasthatthenormallybustlingavenuewascompletelydesertedexceptforCruiseandcompany.Inan
unprecedentedevent,thecitygaveVanillaSkypermissiontoshutdownTimesSquareoneSundaysothattheshotcouldbecompleted.Ofcourse,
thisalsomeantthatallthesupportvehiclesandequipmenthadtobeparkedelsewhere,givingVanillaSkysoleaccesstoeverythingbetween48th
and42ndStreets,includingthesubway.Itwasatightshoot,butbecauseCruise,CrowecinematographerJohnTollandtheshootingcrewhad
practiceditseveraltimes,theshotprovedtobebothsuccessfulandveryeffective.

Fromtheverybeginning,IwantedashotwhereDavidAamesisaloneinTimesSquare,explainsCrowe.Wehadtohavetheshotbecauseitsfroma
dreamthatDavidishavingwherehesrunningtragicallyaloneintheworld.TheproducersdidsomemagictogetusTimesSquaretoourselves,andit
helpedusprovidetheshotwithaneerie,inspiredfeeling.

Inthestirringfinaleofthisbreathtakingscene,Cruiserunsdownthestreetandspinsaround.Asthecamerafollowshim,alltheneonadvertisingand
billboardsthatcharacterizeTimesSquarearehighlighted.Atthetime,theredMbiusstripofanewstickerwasinformingeveryoneofthevoting
snafuduringtheBushGorePresidentialelection,whichwouldhavecompletelydatedthefilm,soCrowearrangedtoaddanythinghewantedtothe
NASDAQsigninpostproduction.

AlthoughinthisparticularsequenceCruiseissurroundedbyobvious,contemporarypopculture,moreobliquereferencesrecurthroughoutthefilm.
Indeed,Crowestuffedhisdogearedscriptwithvariousphotographsandclippingseverythingfromadvertisementsandvintagemoviestillsto

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artworkandalbumcoverseachasymbolicsourceofinspiration.

VanillaSkyisapopcultureride,saysCruise.Itsoneofthesubthemesofthemovie,howpopcultureaffectsus,andhowweuseitasastandardas
towhatweexpectfromourownlives.

PerhapstheultimatepopcultureiconmanifesteditselfastheentiresetthatservedasAamesPublishingandDavidsoffice.VanityFairkindlylentthe
productionitsadvertisingwinginthenew48story,CondNastBuildingat4TimesSquare,intheheartofManhattan.Thecompanymovedinto
shootinthemagazinesofficesonthedayofthefamousChristmastreelightinginTimesSquare,butbecauseoftheholidayevent,theoffices
themselvesweredevoidoftheusualstaffers.TheyhadjustclosedthemagazinesfabledHollywoodIssue,andeveryonehadhappilyvacatedthe
premisesforthefilmcrew.

TheVanityFairofficesprovedtobetheideallocation.AlongglasscorridorlinedonesideofthebankofcubiclesleadingtoDavidAamessoffice,
allowingCrowetosetupalongmovingshotthatfollowedDavidashecharmedhisofficestaff.Fittingly,VanityFaireditorGraydonCartersoffice,
withitsbroadwindowoverlookingthehecticpanoramaofChristmasinNewYork,madetheperfectofficeforDavidAames.

Weneededaplacewiththetextureofthiskindofhighprofilemagazine,andCameronlikedtheglassedinhallwayforthescenebetweenDavidand
theartdirector,explainsexecutiveproducerJonathanSanger.Also,theviewfromGraydonCartersofficejustcouldntbeduplicated.

TheproductionthenmovedtoLosAngelestofilmtheremainderofinteriorshotsprimarilyatParamountStudios.OneofthemoststrikingwasDavid
Aamesssprawling,impeccablyappointedpenthouseapartment.Ahuge,highceilinged,multiroomedplace,decoratedinmutedbluesanddark
wood,theapartmentssizemadeitcameraandcrewfriendly,anditsdesign,asinterpretedbyproductiondesignerCatherineHardwicke,madeit
crediblyDavidAamessstylishUpperWestSideabode.

Tomexplainedthathischaracterwouldhavegreatstyleandtaste,areallyinterestingtakeonthings,aflair,saysHardwicke,whoaccomplishesher
taskbyusinganabundantamountofwhatshecallsnegativespace.Throughouttheapartment,Iaddedmoreair.Nofurniturewenttotheground.
Nothingwasstodgyorheavy.Everythingwasonlegs.Therewasalwaysasenseofluxury,ofhavingalotofroom,insteadofjustcrammingtheplace
fullofstuff.ThisguyhasthemoneytohaveelegantthingsandtheindulgenceofagorgeousspaceinNewYorktodisplaythem.

Tothatend,HardwickeadornedthewallswithreproductionsofclassicworksbyBalthus,RothkoandMatisse,aswellassomeevocativecanvassesby
localLosAngelesartists.Quirkypersonalitemsalsoaccentedtherooms,suchasahandpaintedJasonLeeoriginalskateboard,emblazonedwiththe
imageofDavidBowieahugesurfboardsculpturefromHardwickesowncollectionandanhomagetoCrowesrock&rollpastintheformofseveral
guitars,includingasmashedone,lovinglyframedbehindglass.

TomandCameronemphasizedthattheywantedtoconveyDavidAamesvitality,Hardwickesays,soweusedsportsequipmentinadecorativeway
likethisamazing,dreamlikepaintingofthesideofacarbyRobertRussell.Thepieceisjustsoindicativeofeverythingthathappensinthefilm,in
termsofcarsanddriving,andIthoughtitkickedass.

Artwork,Hardwickeexplains,iskeyinrelatingAamespersonality,soitwasveryimportanttogivehischaracteroneortwomorebluechippieces,like
aVanGoghandahugeloomingpaintingofhisfather,whichwasCrowessuggestion.TheideawastospliceAamespresentlife,suchashisloveof
guitarsandskateboards,withhispastlife,representedbyhisfathersportrait.HardwickeworkedcloselywithToll,CroweandCruisetodesignand
createallthesets.WhateverIdidbecameamazingandalivewhenJohnTollappliedhiscrafttoit.

Tomhasanincredibleeye,Hardwickesays.Heknowswhereeverythingexistsintermsofthecameraandintermsofthestory,thecharactersand
theiremotions.Cameronisamazing,too.Itblewmymind,thewayheworked.Hehasaspecificvision,andheconveysitinawaythatallowsmeto
bringmycreativitytoit.

BetsyHeimann,whoworkedwithCroweonAlmostFamousandwithCroweandCruiseonJerryMaguire,createdthefilmscostumes.Like
Hardwickessets,Heimannswardrobeestablishesafirmcolorscheme.

Itsawinterfilmandtherearecertaindarkundertonestothestory,soIwantedtousethedeepercolors,eggplantanddeepreds,whatIcallthe
colorsofpassion,combinedwithaNewYorkpaletteofgrays,blacks,camelsandnavies,Heimannsays.Then,becausethosecolorsaresolids,Ihad
toreplacepatternwithtexture.Thatswhyweuseleather,suede,knitwearandalotofwovenfabrics.Wethenmakeupforthelackofpatternsby
puttingolivesandbeigeswithgrays,orcamelsandbrownswithblacks,combiningtheneutralpatternsandaddingsometextureontopofthat.

Heimannsclotheshelpdefinethecharacters,andwhiledefiningthetwoleadingwomen,shetakesaratherunconventionalroute.

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6/7/2017 VanillaSkyProductionNotes|TheUncoolTheOfficialSiteforEverythingCameronCrowe

TheinterestingchallengeofthismovieistohaveCameronDiaz,supposedlythenaughtygirl,appearheartbreakinglyappealing,whilegiving
Penlope,thenicegirl,akindofedge.Toaccomplishthis,Julie,Cameronscharacter,wearsalotofdeepred,andIusealotofsofterfabricsforher,
suchascashmereandchiffon,becauseeventhoughshesgotthistoughexterior,shesjustdyinginside.Sofia,Penlopescharacter,isamuchclearer.
Sheknowswhosheis,sheknowswhatsheisdoing,sheholdsdownthreeorfourjobs,andsheisveryfocused.Herclothesaremuchcrisper,with
muchharderedges.Shehasafittedjacketwithablouseunderneath,nicejeansandhighboots.ItsallverycrispandclassicforSofia.

Cruisescostumes,inparticular,reflectthecharactersjourneyaswellashischangingstateofmind.Everythingaboutthismovieisnotwhatit
seems,Heimannobserves.WithDavidAames,wearedealingwithanincrediblyrichguywhodoesntfeeltheneedtoshowthatheisincrediblyrich.
AlthoughhemayhaveonHelmutLangjeansthatcost$150,theyjustlooklikejeans.Hisshirtwillbecostly,buthesverylaissezfaireabouthis
clothes,sohisshirtwontbetuckedin,andhellwearagoofyhattowork.Heisthemostexpensivelycasuallydressedmanyoullevermeet.Thatsthe
keytoDavidAames.

HeimannnotesthatasDavidscharactermakesinwardchanges,itisuptohertoreflectthosechangesinhisoutwardappearance.

Inthebeginning,Davidisveryunderdressed,althoughhelooksgreat,Heimannobserves.Butthentherecomesamomentwhenhewantstotry
veryhardbecausesomethinghashappenedtohimthatsmadehimunsureofhimself.Yousee,whenhefeelsselfconfident,hedoesntfeeltheneed
todressup,butwhenheisunsureofhimself,hehastotryalittleharder.Forexample,whenhegoestomeetSofiainaclub,heslesssecure,sohe
reallypullshimselftogether.ThereareactuallythreebeatstoDavidscharacterhiscarelessconfidenceinthebeginninghissetbackinthemiddle,
whichleadstoanawakeningthroughfantasyandfinally,theemergenceofhistrueselfconfidentpersonaintheend.Andallthesecharacterbeats
arereflectedinhisclothes.

JasonLeescharacter,BrianShelby,providesthelinkbetweenthefilmsfantasyandrealitysplice,andonceagain,itisuptoHeimanntodefinethis
throughhercostuming.

Inthebeginning,BrianisjustaregularNewYorkguy.Helivesdowntown,hedoesnthavealotofmoney,andhesbasicallysupportedby
benefactors.DavidAamesisBriansbestfriend,andthoughhedoesntalwaysshowit,Davidwantsthebestforhim.So,whenthefantasybegins,
Briansuddenlyhasthethingsthathedoesnthaveinhisreallife.Hehasallthetrappingsthebeautifulcoat,theniceclothesandthatsacluethat
somethingisaskew.Suddenly,Brianistheonewhoisverycool,andthatswhenrealitybeginstounravelintofantasy.

Heimann,throughhercostuming,provideslittlecluesaboutthisswitchalongtheway.Shedoesthisfortheaudienceperhapsonanunconscious
level,butshealsodoesitverymuchfortheactors.MuchofwhatIdoismoreforthepsychologyofthecharacter,saysHeimann.Itsnotalways
whatanaudiencewillnotice,butIhopeonsomesubconsciouslevel,theywillrespondtoit.Take,forexample,CameronDiazscharacter,Julie
Gianni.ThenecklineofthepartydressshewearswhenshediscoversthatDavidisinterestedinSofiaisveryunbalanced.Ononeside,thestrapis
thick,andontheotherside,thestrapisverythin.Youmayormaynotnotice,butIthinkithelpsher,ithelpsme,ithelpsCameronCrowe,and
hopefully,onasubliminallevel,ithelpstheaudience,too.

CourtesyofParamountPictures

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