Dakota Johnson Says Studio Bosses Don’t Take Risks and ‘It’s a Constant Fight,’ Recalls Being Shocked at Her Movie Premieres: ‘That Is Not What I Thought We Were Making’

by

Actress Dakota Johnson is making her debut at the Cannes Film Festival with “Splitsville,” a dark comedy directed by Michael Angelo Covino, known for “The Climb.” In addition to starring in this movie, she has also produced it through TeaTime Pictures, a production company she co-founded six years ago with her friend Ro Donnelly. The pair recently sat down with Angelique Jackson from EbMaster’s for a discussion titled ‘Kering Women in Talk,’ prior to the premiere of their film.

Johnson expressed his motivation for launching a production company and creating films by stating, ‘I’m seeking more from this industry.’ He explained that as an artist, he yearned for more meaningful experiences, deeper conversations, increased creativity, and stronger collaboration. Johnson confessed that, on occasion, he would attend the premiere of a movie only to realize, ‘That’s not what I thought we were making,’ which he found quite disconcerting.

By utilizing TeaTime Pictures as a platform for communication, Johnson effectively conveys the director’s vision to all team members, ensuring everyone is aligned on the project’s objectives, thereby avoiding any unexpected issues.

Johnson explained that when constructing our film sets, we focus on creating an atmosphere. Essentially, it’s about energy. Moreover, we maintain a strict ‘no jerks’ policy to ensure a positive working environment. Additionally, everyone on the crew is kept informed about the project, so they all feel involved. Filming movies can be demanding with long hours and challenging conditions. However, when people are genuinely invested in the project, they tend to be happier and more productive.

Johnson was deeply fond of “The Climb,” the 2019 dark comedy by writers Covino and Kyle Marvin, and found it hard to believe that the film didn’t receive more acclaim. In an effort to safeguard the duo’s upcoming project and keep it faithful to their unique vision, she decided to produce “Splitsville.

At TeaTime Pictures, we’re particularly captivated by fresh concepts from emerging filmmakers, as expressed by Donnelly. This studio, which supported the Sundance success “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” is where Johnson crossed paths with actor Vanessa Burghardt. Interestingly, Johnson shares her ambition to make her directorial debut in a feature film using one of Burghardt’s scripts.

In the film “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” the actress portraying my daughter is not only a talented musician, but also an individual with autism. Collaborating with her on script development has been a unique experience, as she herself has written a very touching script about a young woman living with autism. I feel deeply connected to her story and her perspective, and I can’t imagine entrusting it to anyone else for direction. So we’ll see what the future holds.

Later on, Johnson playfully remarked, “I aspire to direct, but I’m not quite ready to muster the courage… or so it seems. In truth, I won’t be gathering courage, and nobody has the power to force me.

As TeaTime Pictures approaches a significant achievement by premiering a fresh film at Cannes, Johnson and Donnelly acknowledged that the journey to reach this moment wasn’t effortless.

Johnson expressed his disappointment, saying it’s been difficult to gain respect from others. He felt disheartened by the reality he encountered, having previously viewed this field as glamorous and magical. Seeing the less glamorous side of things was a letdown for him.

Some studio-running professionals may lack the inclination for projects that are innovative, daring, unsettling, or authentic, Johnson noted. This type of content is exactly what I yearn for as an actor, and it’s what viewers like myself hunger for. It’s a continuous struggle, but we are determined individuals who put in immense effort to bring the stories we cherish to life.

The movie titled “Splitsville” has been supported by Neon and is anticipated to hit the big screen towards the end of this year.

Read More

2025-05-19 12:46