Jay Snook was able to ask David Talbert some questions about directing, and how he brought this comedy to the screen
Until recently, I had never heard of David Talbert, nor was I that familiar with his work. When I got my review copy of Almost Christmas, I found myself very impressed with how he worked on this film. He had an amazing rapport with all of his actors, and much of the crew too. Here are some things I learned about this amazing director.
(c) The Knockturnal
You can read a short bio for David Talbert below:
Heralded by the Los Angeles Times as “One of the most prolific theater makers in America” David E. Talbert’s heartfelt depictions of life and love, mixed with his ability to infuse comedy in the midst of chaos, have captivated audiences across the country, creating a loyal fan base, earning him the title “The People’s Playwright.”
(c) Blackfilm
What got you interested in wanting to direct?
David Talbert: It is funny, I was never interested in directing. I was more of a writer. It wasn’t until my first play toured, it was directed by a brilliant director Paul Rowe. I just watched him put that together for a few months and I got bit by the bug by just watching him. But I was a train wreck of a director for my first few productions. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. It took my about five plays to really kind of understand what I was doing and what my particular point of view was as a director.
I have to ask, was your most recent film always called Almost Christmas? Or was it originally called A Meyers Christmas?
David: Yes, that was the name I wrote it under, and then we changed it to Almost Christmas.
What was the biggest challenge in bringing Almost Christmas to life?
David: I would say the biggest challenge for me was packing up my home, my family and our son and moving to Atlanta for four months. There wasn’t much challenge in making this movie and that is a big credit to Will Packer, who is a force of nature. It wasn’t that great of a challenge making it because his track record loomed so large. The studio trusted him, he trusted the filmmakers and gave them the means to do what they do.
(c) Blackfilm
What was your best memory in the process of making this film?
David: It was probably Mo’Nique cussing me out every day. But it was always, like she was telling me “Mr. Talbert, can I talk to you for a second?” She would always say Mr. Talbert, and she would pull me aside and she would say ” You better direct this Motherf***ing’ movie!” I have known Mo’Nique for thirty years from Baltimore. To have that kind of talent, to be see her mastery, her crass to myself. And on the other side to have that cool of a sister that I had known to cheer-lead you along the way, that is just the best case scenario. That is more than I could even pray for.
Were there any scenes in the movie that made it to the cutting room floor?
David: No. Actually it is funny because this is probably the first movie that used everything we shot. This was a magical movie. There were scenes that on the page may have been one thing but turned out entirely different. Like for example at the end of the movie Danny Glover and Mo’Nique are talking at the table there was supposed to be a whole three page scene after that. I was at the monitor crying, my wife was next to me crying, and then I see Packer bopping over. He’s saying ” Are you thinking what I am thinking?” I was like ” That is the end of the movie right there.” Then he said ” That’s right baby.” So I rewrote the script and the ending because I didn’t think there was anything that could follow that moment that would be more powerful than that moment. We knew at different points of the movie that we had lightning in a bottle and that we were capturing magic. So we kind of trusted that and allowed that to become whatever it was supposed to become.
(c) EURweb
How do you think this movie separates itself from all the other Christmas movies that come out every year?
David: Well I think the audience kind of spoke to it, this is really a love story. About a man who is married to a woman for forty years. It just happened to be taking place at Christmas. But it is really that love story between Danny Glover and his wife. So much so that really you cared about whether or not he could make this pie right. Whether he could get that one last connection with his wife, even in her death. That is really what this was, it is really a love story. I think that is what separates this from kind of the pack of more hi-jink movies. The specific kind of holiday movie is that this was a love story.
What are some projects you will be working on in the near future?
David: Packer and I are doing another movie together at Universal. I am also doing my first live stage tour in five years. It is my new play called ‘Can a Woman Raise a Man?’ It opens up in October.
Why do you think people should run out and buy Almost Christmas?
David: Because laughter is music for the soul. Your soul will be very happy. I think especially with the times we are living in you need to laugh and you want to feel something. The movie is like a warm cup of hot cocoa, it will just make you feel good.
Almost Christmas is out on Blu-Ray, DVD and On Demand now. To learn more about David Talbert you can click on this website. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
