The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
FilmThe Latest

Exclusive: We Chat With Director & Cast of ‘Mr. Roosevelt’ at SXSW

by Yanique Bourjolly March 21, 2017
by Yanique Bourjolly March 21, 2017 0 comments
1.9K

Comedian and actress Noël Wells premiered her film “Mr. Roosevelt” at SXSW this year.

The indie flicks stars Noël Wells as a struggling 20-something who moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. When a loved one falls sick, she returns to her college town of Austin and reunites with her ex-boyfriend played by Nick Thune and his “perfect” and intimidating girlfriend played by Britt Lower. Check out our exclusive interview with the cast and crew:

Q: Can you describe the writing process of this film?

Noël Wells: The evolution of this, I had the idea for the character for a long time and I’ve been writing scenes over the years and then I had written a version of the script a couple of years ago and it was really funny but not there as a movie yet. And then when I solved the problem it was a matter of what the movie was going to actually be which was hinged around Mr. Roosevelt, it was just a matter of me sitting down to write it. Writing’s really hard for me but it just becomes collecting ideas throughout the day and writing notes to yourself and once day you just have to sit down and put it all in one place which is hard.

Q: Coming from your improve background how much of this film was improv and scripted?

Noël Wells: It was really tightly scripted but we were working with such great comedic actors that they can help but put in a button that’s usually pretty brilliant. So anytime somebody just gives you something you have to use it. I think some of the really big laughs in the movie were people just saying something spontaneously and that’s one of the most rewarding parts of the whole process. We have this script; we have this story and then every once in awhile somebody injects something that I could have never come up with on my own and then it becomes a collaborative process. I’m not a huge fan of riffing even though Andre’s amazing at it. The scene outside the house, after we wake up together- a lot of those things were him just saying stuff and me just rolling with it. It’s become this lazy thing in comedy, “oh the script’s tight but I’ll just hire a comedian to improvise my movie for me,” and it gets exhausting to re-write people’s stuff. You want to be a perform and do the best you can but it’s nice to be contained and explore that container.

Q: You shot on film, did that make it even a tougher process?

Noël Wells: It made it tougher for everybody else. I think it took a long time for everybody to get used to it. The camera department had to be on their toes. People hadn’t shot on film for a while so it took about three weeks for everybody to run very efficiently. I think there was a lot more pressure on the actors. We shot as much as we would digitally, there just wasn’t a lot of room for a lot of riffing. We shot 22 days. 20 in Austin and 2 in LA.

Q: Is the film autobiographical?

Noël Wells: Yes, I’ve been telling everybody that everything that has happened in the film has happened to me in some way. But all of it’s fictionalized, it’s not like me giving you the story of my life because it’s a character and things need to be heightened and thing have to happen in different ways to make the story work.

Q: Is Mr. Roosevelt real?

Noël Wells: I do have a friend in my life named Mr. Feeny and he got really sick and I left him in Austin and I had all this guilt. It was the first time I realized how. You take it for granted how he’s always going to be around but in the movie something worse happens to him.

Q: How did you get involved in the project?

Britt Lower: I met Noël when she first joined SNL. We have the same manager. She moved to New York and I was living there. Kirsten set us up on a lady date and we sat in Bryant Park and drank wine together. I got to go to her very first screening at Saturday Night Live. We haven’t seen each other in a while and I heard about the script through Kirsten and I was just so excited for Noël because it’s an amazing story.

Nick Thune: I was brought in last minute. I think I might have been the 20th person they offered the role to but it seemed like a no-brainer to take the job. For my wife and son it seemed crazy that I would leave for a month, “I was like hey, you’re going to be a single parent for a month and I’m going to go party in Austin and shot a cool movie.”

Q: How was it to have an actor-director in this film?

Nick Thune: I didn’t like it at first but then it became weirdly comforting. Usually with other actors you can talk shit, just let anybody at work. You are kind of a team. With Noël, there was no hanging out with her. It was fun to watch her make the world and then it made it more important to give her what she needs.

Britt Lower: It was a less-selfish experience as an actor because everyone is on the same team and you know Noel has seen this film in her brain so you let got of some of the control that you want to have in your role and you are like you know what I’m going to be in the flow of this art making machine that we are in.

Mr. RooseveltNoël WellsSXSW
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Yanique Bourjolly

previous post
Art Review: Benoît Delhomme ‘My Hollywood’ at Daniel Cooney Fine Art
next post
Exclusive: Writer, Director, and Stars Talk ‘Wilson’ at NY Premiere

Related Posts

Not Ready for Prime Time: How MCC Theater...

October 24, 2025

Victoria Justice Hosts “LOVE ZOMBIE” Halloween Bash on...

October 24, 2025

The Familial Meta-Drama of Sentimental Value

October 23, 2025

Renowned Restaurant Fresco by Scotto Debuts a New...

October 22, 2025

Cedric the Entertainer Reflects on The Neighborhood’s Final...

October 22, 2025

It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 Non-Spoiler Review

October 22, 2025

New York City Wine & Food Festival Wraps...

October 22, 2025

Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster & Leslie Odom Jr....

October 22, 2025

James Callis, Shaul Metzstein & Nick Mohammed Talks...

October 21, 2025

AIF 2025 Festival Opens with Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet

October 21, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch