Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne

Payne in Karlovy Vary, 2005
Born Constantine Alexander Payne
February 10, 1961
Omaha, Nebraska
United States
Occupation Director
Screenwriter
Producer
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s) Sandra Oh
(2003–2006)

Alexander Payne (born Constantine Alexander Payne; February 10, 1961) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer, known for the films Citizen Ruth (1996), Election (1999), About Schmidt (2002), Sideways (2004), The Descendants (2011), and Nebraska (2013). His films are noted for their dark humor and satirical depictions of contemporary American society. Payne is a two time winner of the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and a three time nominee of the Academy Award for Best Director.

Early life

Payne was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Peggy (née Constantine) and George Payne, restaurant owners.[1][2][3] Payne is the youngest of three sons[4] and grew up in what is now known as the Dundee-Happy Hollow Historic District, the same neighborhood as billionaire Warren Buffett.

His father is of Greek and German descent, and his mother is of Greek ancestry.[5][6] His paternal grandfather, Nicholas "Nick" Payne, anglicized the last name from Papadopoulos.[7] His family comes from three areas in Greece: the island of Syros, Livadia, and Aegio.[8]

Payne's family was part of the fabric of Omaha, which he references as part of his upbringing.[9][10] His grandfather was one of the original owners who founded The Virginia Cafe, with Payne's father taking over the restaurant. Payne grew up going there regularly as a child. The Virginia Cafe was a well-known Omaha restaurant that was noteworthy for its connection to historic events in Nebraska at the time: the 1935 streetcar strike, significant sales of Liberty Bonds during the Second World War, and its place—from WWII through Vietnam—for “last meals” to soldiers en route to basic training. It was also open 24 hours a day, which was not common at the time. The Virginia was destroyed in a fire in 1969; the W. Dale Clark Library is located at its former site.[9]

Payne's paternal grandmother, Clara Payne (née Hoffman), was from a German Nebraska family from Lincoln, Nebraska.[10]

In Omaha, Payne attended Brownell-Talbot School, Dundee Elementary School, and Lewis and Clark Junior High. He graduated from Creighton Prep for high school in 1979.[11] At Prep, Payne wrote a humor column for his high school newspaper and was the editor of the high school yearbook.[12]

Payne then attended Stanford University, where he double majored in Spanish and history.[7] As a part of his Spanish degree, he studied at Spain's University of Salamanca and later he lived a few months in Medellin, Colombia, where he published an article about social changes between 1900 and 1930.[13] Payne got his MFA in 1990 from the UCLA Film School.

Career

Payne's journey into filmmaking "began in the 1960s when his father, owner of The Virginia Restaurant in downtown Omaha, received an 8mm projector from Kraft Foods as a bonus for being a good customer."[3][14] Payne said that when he was about 14 years old he got a used Super 8mm film camera.[12][15][16]

A short time after getting his MFA from UCLA Film School—and after his successful thesis film, The Passion of Martin had attracted industry attention—Payne got a writing/directing deal with Universal Pictures. The ensuing screenplay, which was turned down, would ultimately become About Schmidt.[7] He said, "I could write anything I wanted and if they want it I would direct it. I was paid for that $125,000 of which because of taxes, agent and lawyer, you keep about half. So, that was about $60,000 which I lived on for five years because I never changed my lifestyle from that of a student. And then I did a couple of film jobs and also, during film school, I worked as a catering waiter."[6]

Payne sees his talent as being one of learned economy. He refers to the essay written by Tennessee Williams on The Catastrophe of Success.[16]

Citizen Ruth (1996)

Payne worked in various capacities on films and television before he wrote and directed his first full-length film, Citizen Ruth (1996).

Election (1999)

His second film, Election, starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon, which takes aim at politics and education in America, attracted attention when New Yorker film critic David Denby named it the best film of 1999. Payne was nominated for an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay for Election.

About Schmidt (2002)

In 2003 he received a Golden Globe for his screenplay for About Schmidt, which was also nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. To the surprise of many who kept track of Hollywood news, Payne and his writing partner Jim Taylor were not nominated for an Oscar for the About Schmidt screenplay.

Sideways (2004)

He won both the Academy Award and Golden Globe in 2005 for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sideways, while the film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. In total, Sideways received five Academy Award nominations.

The Descendants (2011)

Payne returned to directing in 2011 after a seven year hiatus with the film The Descendants, starring George Clooney. He also co-wrote the screenplay, winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Nebraska (2013)

Payne's most recent project, entitled Nebraska, starred veteran character actor Bruce Dern and SNL comedian Will Forte.[17] It was released on November 15, 2013.[18]

Downsizing

According to The Guardian, Payne revealed to Anne Thompson that during his seven-year hiatus between Sideways (2004) and The Descendants (2011), he, along with Jim Taylor, was working on another film project titled Downsizing. Payne has described the project as “a large canvas, science-fiction social satire” and “an epic masterpiece.” The film was to star Paul Giamatti (Sideways) and Reese Witherspoon (Election) as an impoverished married couple who decide the way ahead lies in shrinking themselves. She then pulls out of the deal, after her husband has already undergone the procedure. Sacha Baron Cohen was also onboard to play a tiny Spaniard and his regular-sized business partner. However, the project was superseded by The Descendants and Nebraska. It has now been confirmed that Downsizing is Payne's next project, and Matt Damon is set to star. The film will be distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.[19][20] It has been confirmed that Witherspoon will still be participating in Downsizing.[21][22] Alec Baldwin, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jason Sudeikis have been added to the cast in currently unspecified roles.[23]

Additional work

Payne will next executive produce the short film RUN FAST. Anna Musso, his long-time assistant and protege, will direct from her own screenplay. The film will shoot in March 2014. The project recently launched a kickstarter campaign [24] to raise financing, and rewards include an Alexander Payne autographed poster, autographed DVD of your choice, or lunch with Mr. Payne.

In 2000 he did an uncredited polish-up of the screenplay for the comedy hit Meet the Parents. In 2001 Payne wrote a draft of Jurassic Park III.

Payne served as an executive producer on the films King of California and The Savages. He also teamed up once again with writing partner Jim Taylor to write a draft of the screenplay for the film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, a comedy directed by Dennis Dugan, and starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Payne disliked the final product, stating that Adam Sandler rewrote so much of the story that almost all of what Payne and Taylor wrote was gone.

Payne was also executive producer of the acclaimed 2014 film Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter directed by David Zellner.

Themes

Payne's films often revolve around adultery in marriage and relationships. He has set many of his films in Omaha. He has scenes of historical landmarks and museums in his films, and tends to use non-actors for minor roles (real cops play cops, real teachers play teachers, etc.).[7][25] He frequently incorporates telephone monologues as a dramatic device. He also tends to cast actor Phil Reeves in his films.

Inspired by silent comedies, Payne uses realism in his films. "Sentimentality is a dirty word to me." He strives for adult commercial American film inspired by 1970s cinema "where acting style more approximates real life and is relatively free of contrivance and device."[26]

Payne is on the short list of directors who have final cut rights for their films.[27]

In 2005, he became a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Directors Branch).

His writing partner is Jim Taylor. Payne describes the writing set-up, saying "they always worked in the same room -- 'Dick van Dyke [Show] style' -- usually with one monitor and two keyboards, but sometimes with two monitors and two keyboards that are connected and make it look 'like we're playing Battleship.'"[12]

Honors

In 2012 he was named as a member of the Jury for the Main Competition at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.[28] His 2013 film Nebraska was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.[29] With the “Nebraska” Academy Awards nomination in 2014, Payne has been nominated for the 6th time.

In 2014, The Location Managers Guild of America honored Alexander with their inaugural Eva Monley Award for his masterful use of location as another character.

Personal life

Payne married Korean-Canadian actress Sandra Oh on January 1, 2003, after dating her for three years, and directing her in Sideways. On March 12, 2005, a publicist announced their separation. The divorce was officially finalized on December 22, 2006,[30] although the former couple took more than two years to settle their finances.[31][32][33]

Payne is on the Board of Directors of an Omaha non-profit film theater, Film Streams.[7] He maintains a passion for preservation. In recent years, he helped preserve a historic film theater in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.[34]

Payne, along with childhood friend Ann Beeder, bought downtown Omaha Chinese restaurant, King Fong. King Fong was known for its inlaid pearl tables, and had a secret speak easy upstairs and Chinese décor.[35]

Payne is a long-time supporter[36] of the Nebraska Coast Connection, a social networking organization that meets monthly in Culver City, CA. In November 2013, he held a special screening of Nebraska for the group's members at the Sherry Lansing Theatre on the Paramount Studio's lot.[37]

Filmography

Feature films

Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Writer Producer
1996 Citizen Ruth Yes Yes
1999 Election Yes Yes Independent Spirit Award for Best Director
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (with Jim Taylor)
2001 Jurassic Park III Yes
2002 About Schmidt Yes Yes Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture
2004 The Assassination of Richard Nixon Yes
2004 Sideways Yes Yes Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (with Jim Taylor)
Gotham Award for Best Feature
Independent Spirit Award for Best Director
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director
Nominated — Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture
2007 I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry Yes Early draft only
Nominated — Razzie Award for Worst Screenplay (with Barry Fanaro and Jim Taylor)
2007 King of California Yes
2007 The Savages Yes
2011 Cedar Rapids Yes
2011 The Descendants Yes Yes Yes Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (with Nat Faxon and Jim Rash)
Nominated — AACTA International Award for Best Film
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Picture (with Jim Burke and Jim Taylor)
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director
Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Film
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director
Nominated — Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture
Nominated — Gotham Award for Best Feature
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Director
Nominated — Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
2013 Nebraska Yes LMGA Eva Monley Award
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Director
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Director
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture

Short films

Student films

Books

References

  1. ↑ "Entertainment: Sideways director keeps it real". BBC News. January 25, 2005. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  2. ↑ Fischbach, Bob (November 21, 2011). "'The Descendants' debuts in Omaha". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "2010 Ak-Sar-Ben Issue: Alexander Payne (Court of Honor at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball in October 2010)". metroMAGAZINE. 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Mikulan, Steven (April 21, 1999). "High Plains Joker: Alexander Payne's Wild, Wild Midwest". LA Weekly. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  5. ↑ Papapostolou, Anastasios (May 19, 2013). "Exclusive: Alexander Payne Talks Nebraska, Greece & American Cinema". Hollywood Greek Reporter. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Papapostolou, Anastasios (May 18, 2013). "Alexander Payne Talks Nebraska; Cinema; Greece" (VIDEO INTERVIEW). Greek Reporter. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Talbot, Margaret (October 28, 2013). "Profiles: Home Movies: Alexander Payne, High Plains auteur.". The New Yorker. Condé Nast. p. 50. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  8. ↑ Rhompotis, Demetrios (March 6, 2013). "Film Director Alexander Payne: Greece ‘energizes my DNA!’". NEO Magazine. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Biga, Leo Adam (July 6, 2012). "Remembering the Virginia Cafe and the Restauranter Family Legacy of Filmmaker Alexander Payne" (WRITER'S BLOG). Leo Adam Biga. Retrieved 14 November 2013. Originally published in The Reader
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Payne (Papadopoulos) - Hoffman" (PDF). St. John's 100 Year Anniversary. St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. June 13–15, 2008. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "Archives: That time Alexander Payne returned to Omaha to make his first movie". Omaha World-Herald. November 12, 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013. Originally published February 5, 1995
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Feinberg, Scott (December 27, 2011). "Writer/Director Alexander Payne: 'I Don't Know How Talented I Would Say I Am' (Audio)" (AUDIO PODCAST INTERVIEW ARTICLE). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  13. ↑ Constantine Alexander Payne, Crecimiento y cambio social en Medellín: 1900 – 1930, Estudios sociales. Vol. I, N° 1. Medellín, septiembre 1986, pp. 111 – 194.
  14. ↑ Kelly, Michael (February 25, 2012). "Payne, Ware on to big-time awards". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  15. ↑ Turan, Kenneth (September 16, 2011). "Alexander Payne Regis Dialogue with Kenneth Turan" (VIDEO INTERVIEW). Walker Art Center. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Feinberg, Scott (December 27, 2011). "Scott Feinberg Interviews Alexander Payne" (AUDIO PODCAST INTERVIEW). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Chitwood, Adam. "Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA Moving Forward with Will Forte and Bruce Dern". Collider. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  18. ↑ Han, Angie. "Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ Eyeing Late 2013 Release; Will Forte and Bruce Dern Run Around Billings, MT in First Set Photos". /Film. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  19. ↑ "Matt Damon downsizing with Alexander Payne". The Guardian. 6 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Fleming, Jr., Mike (5 November 2014). "Matt Damon To Star In Alexander Payne’s ‘Downsizing’". Deadline.com.
  21. ↑ Fleming, Jr., Mike (7 January 2015). "Reese Witherspoon ‘Downsizing’ With Matt Damon, Alexander Payne". Deadline.com. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  22. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (7 January 2015). "Reese Witherspoon Joins Matt Damon in Alexander Payne’s ‘Downsizing’". TheWrap. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  23. ↑ Lesnick, Silas (8 January 2015). "Three More Join Damon and Witherspoon for Downsizing". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  24. ↑ http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1995526916/run-fast-a-short-film-by-anna-musso
  25. ↑ Biga, Leo Adam (September 24, 2013). "Nebraska Coast Connection Salon Q&A with Alexander Payne: The Filmmaker Speaks Candidly About ‘Nebraska,’ Casting, Screenwriting and Craft: Alexander Payne in conversation with Nebraska Coast Connection founder Todd Nelson". Leo Adam Biga. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  26. ↑ Hattenstone, Simon (January 13, 2012). "Alexander Payne: Life after Sideways". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  27. ↑ Belloni, Matthew (November 16, 2011). "THR's Directors Roundtable: How to Fire People, Who to Steal From, and Amy Pascal's Secret Advice". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 3. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  28. ↑ "The Jury of the 65th Festival de Cannes". festival-cannes.com. Cannes Film Festival. Retrieved 2012-04-25.
  29. ↑ "2013 Official Selection". Cannes. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  30. ↑ "Sandra Oh files to divorce husband Payne". UPI (United Press International, Inc.). April 18, 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  31. ↑ Lee, Ken; Stephen M. Silverman (December 27, 2006). "Sandra Oh Is Officially Single". People Magazine. Time Inc. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  32. ↑ Lee, Ken (January 22, 2007). "Sandra Oh's Ex: No Spousal Support". People Magazine. Time, Inc. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  33. ↑ Lee, Ken (October 18, 2007). "Sandra Oh and Alexander Payne's Divorce Finalized". People Magazine. Time, Inc. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  34. ↑ Bristow, David L. "Saving Our Cinema: Scottsbluff's Midwest Theater offers a glimpse of Nebraska film possibilities.". Nebraska Life. Archived from the original on March 28, 2006. Retrieved 13 November 2013. Midwest Theater (Scottsbluff, NE)
  35. ↑ Fonda, Jane (July 24, 2012). "Alexander Payne, Laura Dern & an Amazing Weekend in Omaha". JaneFonda.com. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  36. ↑ http://variety.com/2013/film/markets-festivals/nebraska-hollywood-connect-1200482102/
  37. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/20/business/la-fi-ct-alexander-payne-nebraska-20131120
  38. ↑ "The Coffee Table Coffee Table Book". Black Dog Publishing. Retrieved 13 November 2013.

Levinson, Julie, ed. Alexander Payne Interviews. University Press of Mississippi, 2014. http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1714

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alexander Payne.