Steven Yeun Was First Attracted to Indie Film ‘Bubble & Squeak’ Because of an Email Titled ‘Cabbages’: The Script Was ‘Such a Wild Swing’

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What sparked Steven Yeun‘s initial fascination with the movie “Bubble & Squeak” was an intriguing email title.

He shared that in 2020, he received an email from one of his agents with the title ‘Cabbages.’ The content of the message was remarkable. Upon reading it, he felt it was daring and a risky move – something truly unique that he had not encountered previously.

At the EbMaster & Adobe Anatomy of a Film panel during Sundance, the team responsible for “Bubble & Squeak” shared their stories and captivated the audience. The event featured actor and producer Steven Yeun, director and screenwriter Evan Twohy, producer Christina Oh, along with actors Himesh Patel and Sarah Goldberg. Angelique Jackson, a senior entertainment writer for EbMaster, skillfully moderated an engaging panel discussion.

Yeun was excited at the potential of helping a unique story like “Bubble & Squeak” get made.

He expresses that he aimed to bring the film to life as he envisioned it from the script. His confidence in Evan allowed this vision to materialize. Collaborating and performing his role was essential, ensuring he didn’t overstep boundaries. He wanted to contribute positively without causing disruption. In essence, he remained focused on doing his part well. Above all, he was deeply appreciative of the opportunity for various artists to come together in this project.

For Twohy, collaboration was the key to getting “Bubble & Squeak” off the ground.

He expresses that there seem to be countless potential movies that could have been produced from this script, or any script for that matter. It’s more about accepting the individuals who chose to participate in this specific project at this particular time, and their collaboration forms the movie. The realization that this is the final product can be a peculiar sensation, as it could have turned out differently. However, having worked on it extensively over the years and witnessing its numerous transformations gives me an advantage. I wasn’t tied to a single version of it because I’ve seen it evolve so many times.

“Bubble & Squeak” is Twohy’s feature debut, and he’s been working on it since he was a teenager.

He began working on it when he turned 18 years old, initially jotting down the first lines at that age. Five years later, it transformed into a short play, and now, fifteen years after that, it’s become a film. This project has been a part of his journey throughout his life. It’s been a deeply emotional process to expand upon this idea as he’s grown older and incorporated his personal experiences into it. Reaching this milestone is particularly poignant for him.

Despite having led the project for many years, Oh found it commendable that Twohy was open to working together.

Effective leaders possess self-assurance in their skills yet remain receptive to suggestions from others, fostering a collaborative environment where flexibility is valued over rigidity, according to Oh. In my experience, I’ve encountered numerous individuals who embody the opposite traits, but Evan stood out as exceptional. Whenever we faced challenges or difficulties, he was always open to dialogue and even willing to revisit the plan to find a solution together.

In a distant land, I found the spirit of camaraderie so lively and invigorating during our filming endeavor, it turned every moment into a delightful experience. As Goldberg would say, it made the entire shoot an absolute pleasure to be part of.

She shares, “We were filming in Estonia and it was all so foreign and distant to us.” However, she continues, “Despite the unfamiliarity, our time in Estonia was incredibly enjoyable. Christina had an extraordinary ability to maintain a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Of course, as with any indie film, we had challenging days, but there were times when it felt like, ‘Did we actually make a movie? We’re having such a great time instead!’

Patel concurred that the secret to a successful setup lies in fostering a vibrant atmosphere, trust, and teamwork from leaders to their subordinates.

He notes that it’s a demonstration of your ability to accomplish something without being overly authoritative. In most cases, I believe, it’s crucial to do just the opposite and place trust in people, in the artists surrounding you. If you empower them to be their best selves, you’ll achieve what was intended all along.

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2025-01-27 18:17