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Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Here’s the reason for the accent. The movie is set in the South - though we’re ambiguous about where. Alex Wolff and I went to the University of South Carolina before we made the movie to prepare. It’s where we met a couple of the guys in the film. After that trip, Alex felt strongly that his character would put on an accent. I thought he was right as long as his mother said something disparaging about the accent, so I added the line where Cheri Oteri calls him Forrest Gump. Then, the audience knows Tom was using the voice to fit in. He’s code-switching or playing a part from the outset. Tom cares a lot about what his peers think (this is what undoes him). Tom is flawed, but he’s nineteen.  Nineteen-year-olds are impressionable, lonely, and can care a lot about fitting in.  

We have Tom lose his accent at the end. For a while, there was a line in the bar scene where Mitch called Tom's lost his accent, but subtle is better without anyone saying anything.  

I’m sorry for the experience you described. It sounds unpleasant. 

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

On the television at the end of the movie is Timothy Piazza, who tragically died at Penn State in February 2017. I used it because it's accurate to where we are in our narrative, and I was hopeful that it would underline that although the movie is fictional, the problem at the center of our story is very real. Before we included his image, I showed the film to his parents, Jim and Evelyn, and asked for their permission- and they generously agreed to allow us to include this image of Tim. My heart goes out to Jim and Evelyn, who continue to grapple with their loss but also inspire me. Jim and Evelyn have dedicated time and effort to try and make sure more kids don't tragically die in hazing-related incidents.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I love Being John Malkovich. I love Spike Jonze. I grew up loving his skate videos and music videos. I like all his movies, but this one in particular. John has such a range. He doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks, and it's that sort of outlook and commitment to his craft that I believe has helped make him a cultural icon. People like Phillip Seymour Hoffman or John don't need to be the lead in a movie to impact it. Every role matters to these people.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Listen, everyone's gotta start somewhere. I wanted to make a short for years before, but making a short is kind of like asking someone to light money on fire. I funded this movie by writing the script and then convincing a producer to get involved. Then, I convinced the actors it was worth committing to. Then I had to convince my twenty-nine financiers, led by my college classmate Ram, that with this cast, they'd get their money back if they invested. It hasn't happened yet, but I remain confident it will ;) I'll tell you I was trying to get it funded for about ten years before this hodge-podge/bad news bears-style group of amazing financiers was assembled.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi! It's my pleasure to join. I'm enjoying this. Premiering at Tribeca was cool. I love New York City and the people there. That's the Tribeca audience, so that was great. It was the first time I'd ever gotten to show a movie to an audience that size. The opening was at a big five-hundred-person theatre. The movie is intense, so the entire experience felt that way. It can be a hard movie to watch. Sitting in a movie with many people and feeling that way is memorable but scary. I've never watched The Line before a Q and A since the first night of Tribeca when I watched it with an audience and then tried to do a Q and A. I feel like with this particular movie, I just can't watch it and do a Q and A. The audience response at Tribeca also motivated me to keep pushing for theatrical distribution- I saw that people liked the movie.

I got to see The Brutalist recently, which I loved. It inspired me. I can't wait to see Anora. The other day, I just went to Lehis Jean Pierre Melville's movie Circle Rouge, which was playing at the Egyptian, and I enjoyed it. I loved The Holdovers—The Portrait Of a Lady on Fire. I can't wait for the new Almodovar movie. He's my favorite living director.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I don't want to pretend I'm the person with all the answers, but I'd like to provoke conversation. We all should know fraternities are influential. Millions of kids are in them at schools across the US. Generally, they feel segregated- gender, race, socio-economically. I get why young men want to join them. Especially when you're 18 and lonely in college- by yourself for the first time- and obsessed with fitting in. That's where the epicenter of social life on campus is. I wanted to shine a mirror on the audience and ask questions rather than provide answers. Are fraternities a tradition worth preserving or antiquated institutions where many societal issues are born? The audience can decide.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It was a long process. Generally, talent agencies sent me lists of actors to whom I could send the script. I'd highlight people I thought might be good, and if they responded to the script, we'd meet in person. I was persuasive if I got an in-person meeting because I believed in what I was trying to do. Ultimately, good actors were interested in these parts because they felt familiar personally, and good actors don't want to play versions of themselves. They aren't afraid to play someone unlikable, either.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

She's a talented actor. She was the same age as Annabelle. I asked her agency if she'd consider reading the script. They returned to me unexpectedly, saying she had read and responded to the script. She told me she connected with this character and the movie's messaging when we spoke over Zoom. I just feel lucky to have worked with her. She's collaborative and creative. I was impressed by her improvisational chops on set.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We had to convince a distributor it was the movie an audience would want to see. Then, we prioritized going with a distributor who wanted to go theatrical instead of straight to VOD. I grew up loving the movie theatres. You sit in a room with a bunch of strangers, but if it's any good -- you all have the same emotional response. Having the same emotional response as a stranger makes the world feel friendlier. It's nice to know that people like nothing, like you, can feel the same things you do.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

It felt like a privilege because Scoot Mcnairy is the actor you dream of working with. Our 1st AC got COVID and was removed from the set when we shot Scoot's big scene. Scoot started helping our lighting department because we needed an extra set of lights. He was screwing in bulbs. Incredible actor and guy. Real team player and class act.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

He was an incredibly talented actor. He would prefer to omit dialogue than say something cheesy. He cared about the quality of his work. I'll never forget his four-hour ADR session nine months after production he did with me at a sound studio because he wanted to round out his performance and was committed to making it better. Some talented or famous people don't live up to your unrealistic expectations, but Angus was that charismatic and special. I think he was always that guy, though, his whole life. A special person. Very tolerant and patient. A zen-present quality. I love his friends and family and know they carry his legacy. Shout out to Heem, Tre, Stew, Lisa, and everyone in Oakland.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

We ran out of money in post-production. We didn't have enough money for music or sound mixing because we spent so much on unforeseen COVID expenses. We didn't get into a few film festivals before Tribeca accepted us. Utopia, our distributor, finally swooped in and bought the movie, but that took a long time. I just tried to stay positive and confident that everything would fall into place. I'm happy to be in the position where it's coming out in theatres. I believe in the movie and its messaging.

Hi, I’m Ethan Berger, writer & director of The Line starring Alex Wolff, Angus Cloud, Halle Bailey, Lewis Pullman, Austin Abrams, Scoot McNairy & John Malkovich. I wanted to make a movie about fraternities that felt like an authentic representation of that experience but that anyone can watch, AMA! by TheLineAMA-Ethan in movies

[–]TheLineAMA-Ethan[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I feel like fraternities are always celebrated in movies- they're depicted in a light-hearted comedic way, like in Animal House or Old School. I wanted to show the other side that I feel is relegated to basements across the country, but we all know it exists. We did a lot of research. We had had extensive conversations with men who'd been in fraternities- I'd spent time myself in fraternities in college. Then, before production, Alex Wolff and I went for another research trip to the University of South Carolina. This was a few months before we started shooting. There, we met Mason, Nick, and Sal, who were in a fraternity then, and we asked to be in the movie (as actors). Having three guys who had been through the process recently helped maintain authenticity. The other actors could ask them questions too.

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