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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Saturday 9 June 2018
The nice-guy director who actors can't get enough of

By LINDSEY BAHR Danner, Elliott and Offer-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Writer man keep coming back
and director Brett Haley to work with Haley again
knew he wanted a "That (each have appeared in at
Thing You Do" moment in least two of his movies) —
his new music-loving film, they recruit their friends to
"Hearts Beat Loud," where come along too. Haley met
Nick Offerman's character Offerman through Elliott.
hears the song he wrote And he got Ted Danson to
with his daughter in public play a bartender in "Hearts
for the first time. In 2018 it Beat Loud" through Offer-
wouldn't be on the radio, he man. Danner, who has a bit
thought, but it might make role in this film too, calls it a
it onto a Spotify playlist that little "repertory troupe."
a local bakery would play "They don't just write throw-
in the background. And away, supernumerary char-
bingo: A perfect, charm- acters," Offerman said. "The
ing moment that is ardently supporting cast all have
rooted in reality, just how something to chew on. That
Haley and his actors like it. makes it really easy to call
"I'm not going to take this your friend Ted and say, 'it's
to 11 just because it's a just a few scenes, but I think
movie," said Haley, 34, on it's going to be fun.' And by
a recent afternoon in Los God it was,"
Angeles. "Movies don't of- Now, Haley feels like he's
ten do what would actual- In this May 22, 2018 photo, Brett Haley, writer/director of the film "Hearts Beat Loud," poses for a at a crossroads in his ca-
ly happen. They do what's portrait at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.The film releases on June 8. reer and is ready to take
convenient for the plot." Associated Press the next step. His last three
It's his small, John Cassa- films have all premiered at
vetes and Richard Linklat- including the likes of Blythe ferman said. vulnerable, fleshed out guy the Sundance Film Festival
er-inspired rebellion against Danner and Sam Elliott. That can come with a bit of who gets to sing cool songs and he said that, "There are
the plot-obsessed enter- "He's frustratingly young, a downside when it comes with his amazing daughter," other people who deserve
tainment industry, and one but he has a certain wis- to, say, selling the concept Offerman said. that platform now." They've
of the reasons he's become dom. He and his writing to a talent agent. Both Danner and Elliott had also all scored well with crit-
a favorite director of some partner have the where- "There's no logline. Like, 'A similar reactions to their ics — "Hearts Beat Loud," at
of Hollywood's most re- withal to write these really killer comes to town for one movies. "Gift" is a frequent a 96 percent fresh rating on
spected veteran actors, simple human stories," Of- last vendetta.' It's more like, refrain among his actors. Rotten Tomatoes, is one of
'Some people are dealing Haley doesn't have big his best reviewed — and
with some stuff and hope- budgets (his latest, and have performed well at the
fully they find their way to biggest, was just over $2 box office for indie films.
being loved,'" Offerman million). His shoots don't Last year Sam Elliott told
added. "My agents had typically last more than The Associated Press that
a little ambivalence. They 18 days and he doesn't he wanted "The Hero" to
were like, 'I don't know, is waste time on "fancy cam- do well just simply so that
this exciting?' But that's his era angles," but he and his Haley could, "get on with
secret. His story lines are writing partner Marc Basch his career."
not exciting and that's ex- know that good movies "Working for a studio might
citing." come down to writing and not work for him," Elliott
He has in just a few films, performance. He's also su- laughed. "But you've gotta
"I'll See You in My Dreams," premely, almost unbeliev- get in there and find out."
''The Hero," and now "Hearts ably, nice (and not just "for Haley himself wonders if
Beat Loud," opening in se- a director"). While speaking a studio will embrace him
lect theaters Friday, carved to students recently at his and his earnestness. But
out a unique spot in Holly- alma mater, the University he's hoping for a shot.
wood by making intensely of North Carolina School of "I want to make movies
earnest films about life, the Arts, he had one mes- that aren't just about peo-
and giving leading roles to sage: "Be kind and be gra- ple like me or people who
talented actors who have cious." look like me This movie, I
either been relegated to "You're in a position of think, does that and I think
supporting roles or a niche power, you're in a position that's just the beginning,"
they can't quite break out of privilege, especially as a Haley said. "I don't have
of. white, straight male," Haley the right to tell every story,
For Offerman, who has the said. "Just be good to the but if there are certain sto-
mixed-blessing of being people around you: That ries that I want to tell, I will
known for an iconic televi- goes from the craft service go through the process of
sion role in "Parks and Rec- person to the actors. Cre- talking to people who've
reation's" Ron Swanson, it ate an environment so that had that experience to try
was an incredible opportu- people can do their best to get that right. If I have
nity. work. You shouldn't have a platform to make films,
"No one has said I want to to be a tyrant on set to get you're goddamn right I'm
write you the lead in my what you want." going to represent things
movie, period, let alone this And not only do actors like that are not like me."q