From “The Deer Hunter” to “Adaptation”: A Writer’s Unexpected Journey into Hollywood
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The process of seeing one’s work transformed into a film is often surreal, a sentiment echoed by an author recounting her involvement with the making of “Adaptation.” Initially dismissing the project as typical “Hollywood noise,” she found herself unexpectedly drawn into the creative process, from casting brainstorms to a brief, almost accidental, foray onto the set itself.
An Unlikely Casting Call
The author’s involvement began when she was invited by a producer, “Ed,” to discuss casting possibilities. The initial conversation centered around envisioning who could portray her on screen, quickly devolving into a playful game of naming actors. Suggestions ranged from Julianne Moore – with a focus on her red hair – to Jodie Foster, with a willingness to alter her signature blonde look. Ultimately, the conversation landed on a surprising choice: Meryl Streep. “What a loony thought,” the author recalls, considering Streep’s stature as “the most admired female actor in the country” for such an “outlandish movie.”
This wasn’t the author’s first encounter with the celebrated actress, however. Years earlier, during a college break, she’d been an extra in “The Deer Hunter” (1978), a film that would go on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. She initially dismissed the project as unremarkable, noting the repetitive nature of filming a wedding scene in a Cleveland cathedral alongside a young cast including Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, and Streep herself. At the time, she hadn’t anticipated the film’s critical acclaim, a pattern she wryly observes has repeated throughout her life.
Streep’s Intuitive Approach & The Pursuit of Nicolas Cage
By the time “Adaptation” was in pre-production, Streep was a Hollywood icon. The film’s unconventional nature initially seemed like an odd fit, but she later revealed that her children’s enthusiasm for the script ultimately swayed her decision. Simultaneously, Nicolas Cage emerged as a frontrunner to play both Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin, Donald, sparking competition among actors eager to embody the complex roles.
A chance encounter with John Turturro at a film screening further highlighted the intensity of the casting process. Turturro passionately advocated for himself, but Cage ultimately secured both Kaufman roles.
Costume Design & The Illusion of Access
The author’s most enjoyable experience during pre-production involved collaborating with the film’s costume designer, Casey Storm. Hoping to inspire the wardrobe for the character based on her, Susan Orlean, she showcased her “vaguely goth concoctions,” including a Comme des Garçons dress. However, Storm ultimately decided to prioritize a look that conveyed “journalist” rather than personal style.
The author anticipated a meeting with Streep to allow the actress to study her mannerisms and accent. She prepared for the possibility, even mentioning it to colleagues at The New Yorker. However, she later learned from “Ed” that Streep had already developed the character independently, rendering a personal consultation unnecessary.
A Fleeting Glimpse Behind the Curtain
Production on “Adaptation” began in 2001, and the author was later invited to be an extra in a grocery store scene. The experience was a revelation. What had begun as a solitary writing process had transformed into a sprawling, bustling “mini city” of a film set. She found herself alongside her husband, John Gillespie, who unexpectedly landed a role as The New Yorker editor David Remnick, though both their scenes were ultimately cut.
During a break, she briefly encountered the real Charlie Kaufman, a moment she described as “kind of embarrassing.” Kaufman, seemingly equally uncomfortable, quickly excused himself. The experience underscored the surreal distance between the author’s private world and the public spectacle of filmmaking. It was the first and only time she truly saw her story lifted “off the page and into the three-dimensional fictional world.”
