‘The Descendants’: Judy Greer, George Clooney on Alexander Payne

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Alexander Payne asks for a lot from his actors, and what he needed from his ‘Descendants’ cast was not insignificant. Matt King (George Clooney) must wrestle with parenthood, infidelity and a dying wife.

His children (his older daughter is played by Shailene Woodley)have to figure out how to reconnect with their absent father. And Julie Speer (Judy Greer) has to determine not only why King is paying her husband a surprise visit, but also what she needs to say to his comatose spouse.

In this video excerpt from the Envelope Screening Series, the cast of ‘The Descendants’ talk about how Payne works with actors, and how he makes them feel safe, even when working on emotionally dangerous scenes.

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--John Horn

George Clooney and Shailene Woodley in ‘The Descendants.’ Credit: Fox Searchlight