Clea Duvall on ‘The Intervention’ and the creative process

As Clea Duvall puts it, she now has spent more time in her life working in film than not, and it’s led her to a new creative direction focusing not just on acting, but also on writing and directing. Her film The Intervention, starring herself, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, and Vincent Piazza, to name a few, arrived on DVD recently, and she chatted with me about the experience of making her first film.

It’s interesting that Duvall has actually been writing scripts for a number of years, but she had no plans to produce any of them until she wrote The Intervention. She actually got into directing a bit “by accident” when the script she wrote was finished, and after working as an actress on another project where she was called on to assist in the creative process, she realized she could direct too, which offered something very new and appealing.

Now, holding the fruits of her work in her hands, she noted how surprising it was to hold the DVD, and what a pleasure it was to have worked with Paramount on the project.

Andrew Powell: What was the creative process like for you? We’re finally seeing movement with women in film, but did you see that at all in making the film?

Clea Duvall: “To be completely honest with you, I think my experience is not the norm because I’ve been in the business as an actor for twenty years–oh, God. So crazy. I’ve been in the business longer than I haven’t been in the business–it’s so crazy when you reach that age, isn’t it–where you’ve been doing things longer than you haven’t been doing them? Anyway. [Laughs]”

“So when I had the script and was going out to people, I wasn’t just an anonymous person. The friends who I’ve had attached to the movie, I instantly–you have a cast of such incredible people involved already involved, and then people have some idea the fact that I’ve at least spent time on sets before and I know how they work. So I had a bit of an advantage there, and had such a wonderful experience. The investors were very enthusiastic and supportive, and got great crews and a great DP [director of photography].”

“I’m sure that I will, as time goes on, I will get that experience that I hear about, like how it is more difficult for women as I try to pursue directing more, but my experience in this was really special, and it really came together in a way that I understand is really not normal.”

“When you talk to me after the next movie, I’ll probably be able to answer that question a little bit better.”

Powell: Are you looking at writing and directing more?

Duvall: “I am. Yeah, I have a couple of scripts that I’m working on, of original ideas, and I have a show I’m developing, and I’ve been reading other people’s scripts as well. I’m just seeing what feels like the best next step.”

Powell: For someone like me, watching people’s careers evolve, it’s fascinating to learn a little how you make those choices. I’m sure the draw between acting and then directing must be tough to choose between. Is that true?

Duvall: “I don’t really feel like I’m in a position where I have to choose. I think the luxury that I get from writing and directing is that I have another creative outlet. As an actor, you’re not in control of when you work or who you work with, or when or where, and to be able to work on things as an actor that I really love, really feels like a luxury. And then also to be able to–if there isn’t something that I’m really excited about as an actor, that I’m still able to put that creative energy somewhere and still be creating. It’s like growing another limb. I feel very excited about it.”

Powell: In terms of TV versus film, how do you see those creatively right now? There’s so much going on with TV now. How do you feel about it?

Duvall: “I think it’s so exciting. I’ve seen some of my favorite pieces of work on TV. Did you watch The Night of…? That is so incredible, and the filmmaking is beautiful. And the fact that there are so many places where people will be able to see what you’re creating. It’s so inspiring as a creative person that you don’t just have three options–it feels limitless.”

“In some ways it’s a little bit daunting because you could get lost in that feed of content, but I think that for me it’s really about the creative process and less about the results of it. Knowing that there are more opportunities out there is really exciting, and I love what’s happening on TV.”