The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Feig’s fall into fantasy
‘Bridesmaids’ director goes in new direction with ‘School for Good and Evil’
Paul Feig is known for his comedies. So, why after all of the success he’s had with such humorous tales as “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat,” “Spy,” and “Ghostbusters” would he take on something in the fantasy genre?
He fell in love with the story and its heroines.
Just as readers fell in love with the book series by Soman Chainani, “The School For Good and Evil,” that Feig adapted into a film for Netflix, released Oct. 19.
“I just thought it was such a beautiful friendship story,” said Feig, and as anyone who follows the work of the Hollywood writer/director knows, this is an area that he delves into deeply, whether his protagonists are a bunch of bridesmaids, who gathered together for the sake of a friend getting married or a group of awkward teenagers helping each other survive the hurdles of high school.
“It is kind of like a big magic version of ‘Freaks and Geeks,’” said Feig, referring to the ABC teen comedy-drama series that was inspired by his heydays at Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Michigan, where he grew up, and where his father ran the
local ARC Surplus store.
Produced by Judd Apatow, “Freaks and Geeks,” has been credited with launching the careers of several actors including James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Busy Philipps, John Francis Daley, Martin Starr and Linda Cardellini.
In this case, the story revolves around two best friends, Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie) who find themselves suddenly thrown into opposing sides at an enchanted school that trains heroes and villains to protect the balance of good versus evil. The villains are taught by Lady Lesso (Charlize Theron) and the heroes are taught by Professor Dovey (Kerry Washington), while under the watchful eye of the School Master (Laurence Fishburne).
What Feig received initially was a script that had been in the works for years but needed tweaking in order to bring it to the next level. Having experienced the frenzy fans conjure up when they feel their beloved characters are being threatened, as in “Ghostbusters” however, he went to Chainani first.
“I wanted to hear his thoughts on what the fans would want most,” Feig said. “What would they care about? What would be their favorite lines of dialogue and what scenes had to be there?”
Once that was determined Feig went to work on creating a world that Chainani’s characters could live in, now, and in the movie sequels that are likely to come.
Feig said his goal was to create something big and beautiful and while a school for tweens and teens serves as the backdrop for the story he and his production designer worked very hard to stay away from anything that resembled a school for witches and wizards. To do this, Feig suggested they film some of the opening scenes in Budapest, Hungary, where he filmed “Spy” and became smitten with Hungary’s Art Nouveau architecture. With the overall look in mind, Feig’s production team went to work building some of the biggest sets he’s ever seen.
“OMG. They’re massive,” he said. “I’ve never built sets that big before.”
Also, a massive undertaking were the costume designs.
“There’s over 800 original costumes, jewelry and shoes,” said Feig, noting that he’s also very proud of the music, which he had a small part in creating.
As a youth he took guitar lessons but discovered a passion for percussion and has been a drummer ever since. “It’s really beautiful.”
This along with the costumes, sets and special effects help to propel the story and its message as Agatha says in the movie: “We’re all people, we’re all human.”
“There’s nobody who’s all good or all evil,” Feig said. “We might see the world that way right now, especially when everybody seems to be breaking things down into us versus them. We’re all members of this Earth, whether you’re in the School for Good and Evil you’re just out in the real world, we should all find a way to be a little more tolerant with each other.”
As for what’s next for the Michigander who is now living in the UK?
“We have four different projects in various stages ready to go,” he said, and if all goes according to plan that will include sequels telling even more of Chainani’s stories.
Feig admits he’s a little sad that this film will not be shown in theaters.
“Life is about events,” he said, and going to the theater is one of them. But they (Netflix) really want to drive people to their network — and more people will see this movie than any other movie I’ve done.”