As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the stories behind the scenes, I can’t help but be moved by Laura Dern’s recollection of her early days in Hollywood and the sacrifices she made to pursue her passion.
Laura Dern shared on the latest episode of Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson’s podcast, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” (as reported by People), how she had to leave UCLA film school following her landing the role of Sandy Williams in David Lynch’s 1986 groundbreaking film, “Blue Velvet.” Although Dern had previously acted in movies like “Mask,” it was this part that marked her acting debut and initiated a long-term partnership with Lynch.
At the age of 17, Dern was thrilled about being accepted into UCLA. However, her stay lasted only two days before she attended an audition and secured a role in “Blue Velvet.”
Dern was thrilled and deeply admired Lynch, who had been nominated for an Oscar due to his acclaimed film “The Elephant Man” in 1980. However, when Dern approached her college department head to discuss taking a leave of absence to work on “Blue Velvet,” she encountered a firm refusal.
Dern recounted, “He replied, ‘I’ll take a peek at the script if you insists on giving it to me, but I must warn you, granting you a leave of absence isn’t an option. It’s not going to transpire. It’s not an urgent health matter,'” when discussing her past conversation with UCLA’s film department head.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but recall the time when I was called into my department head’s office at UCLA. He had read the “Blue Velvet” script and shared his concerns with me. “First off,” he said, “if you decide to pursue this project, your time here at UCLA will come to an end. You’ll be out. But more importantly,” he continued, “I can’t believe you’d consider forfeiting your college education for something as risky and uncertain as this script.”
“Admitting its surprising impact, Dern shared: ‘That script was quite a shock for me.’ As a side note, if you’re pursuing a film degree at that institution and writing a thesis, there are three movies you must analyze. Can you guess which one is included?'”
“Pisses me off,” Dern quipped.
“Blue Velvet” marked a turning point in Dern’s acting career. In this neo-noir thriller, Kyle MacLachlan portrays a college student who stumbles upon a grisly discovery – a severed ear in his small-town neighborhood. Eager to uncover the truth, he embarks on an investigation and encounters a captivating nightclub singer (Isabella Rossellini) and a dangerous criminal mastermind (Gene Hackman). Dern brings the role of the police chief’s daughter, who develops an interest in MacLachlan’s character, to life. The movie received a nomination for Best Director at the Academy Awards.
Watch Dern’s full interview on the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast in the video below.
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2024-07-25 01:47