Student Filmmakers - June 2008 - (Page 24) Close-Up How did you come up with the title? M. Night Shyamalan: As the screenplay changed, the story became more of an ambiguous tale with the characters trying to ascertain the veracity of the different theories that are being thrown about. Because the plot was couched in that manner, the title had to have an eerie openness to it. Were there any extraordinary movie before – which was Unbreakable. This one was even more so. We literally started in Philadelphia and, as the characters moved out into the country, we went out into the country with them. We ended up in the last act at an old house. Did you hit any snags in production or post-production? M. Night Shyamalan on set during The Happening. challenges in making this film? M. Night Shyamalan: Well, it was a big location movie. I had one other big location M. Night Shyamalan: As far as my movies go, this was a pretty smooth ride. When I boarded the movie, it had a fluidity to it that was unnerving for me. I thought, gosh it can’t be this smooth because there is usually something that upsets me. Then, when we watched the final cut of the movie, it had the same kind of fluidity to it – it just goes. It’s ninety minutes long and, from beginning to end, it almost feels like you’re watching one scene, one long act. Do you think this is a factor of you getting better with age and experience or that the gods were smiling on you with this one? M. Night Shyamalan: I think that certain ideas are much more difficult than others. Take Raiders of the Lost Ark for Scene from The Happening: Mark Wahlberg (Elliot Moore), Ashlyn Sanchez (Jess), and Zooey Deschanel (Alma Moore). 2 studentfilmmakers June 2008
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