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

Jim Parsons, Clare Danes, Octavia Spencer Attend ‘A Kid Like Jake’ NY Premiere

by Meral Kathwari May 26, 2018
by Meral Kathwari May 26, 2018 0 comments
1.8K

Silas Howard adapted Daniel Pearl’s screenplay ‘A Kid Like Jake’  four years ago.

He wanted to explore an open-minded view on parenting, and the struggle and emotions parents feel when their child turns out to be different from the majority of people in their classroom. Clare Danes (Alex Wheeler) and Jim Parsons (Greg Wheeler) play a married couple looking to enroll their four-year-old son Jake into private school. To capitalize on financial aid, they seek advice from Jake’s pre-school teacher, played by Octavia Spencer.

Spencer suggests that they should emphasize on Jake’s non-conforming gender identity, a topic they didn’t think was a unique issue beforehand.

Jake’s liking to dolls and fairy-tales suggests that his gender identity could be more than just a phase.

Clare and Jim are both at odds on how to deal with the situation. The audience sees the parent’s struggle play out in instances when Jake wants to dress up as a princess for Halloween or wear a pink tutu.

We were at the New York screening at The Landmark at 57 West and talked to the cast members to learn more about what being apart of the independent feature meant to them.

Silas Howard- Director

What made you want to be a part of this movie?

The play was written by Daniel Pearl, and it was his thesis play, and it put up at Lincoln Center, at the same time, so he’s a hot-shot young playwright. Jim Parsons auctioned it, and he brought it from the play to the screenplay with Daniel, they did the first adaptation with him. Then Clare Danes came along, and then they were looking for a director, and it came to me. I was just really blown away. I had some changes that I wanted to make, and then Daniel and I worked together for a couple of months over the phone just talking. It was a beautiful collaboration, and I like the chance to sort of look at this from a different lens–to turn the camera away from the kid and turn it on the world around him and I like the messiness of it. I liked that people were making mistakes and doing the wrong thing, and trying to figure stuff out. We have to do the wrong thing to figure out the right thing.

So often we’re shown that we do the right thing, but no, it’s not like that. You can’t get there until to you get to really difficult, sometimes painful places. That’s what appealed to me.

Did you have Clare and Jim in mind for roles from the beginning?

They were on when I came on to the project, and then I saw them and was like ‘oh, they’re perfect.’ I mean they’re so perfect, and they’re so fearless. They’re just amazing and the more time I spent with them, I was like ‘oh yeah, it’s so clear.’ And I know for Daniel, Clare was always who he thought of, and Jim as well. And then Octavia was one of the people they talked about before I came on. I couldn’t have asked for better casting.

What message do you hope that viewers take away from the movie?

I hope like a curiosity and you know it’s not all heavy, there’s some humor in this exploration. So hopefully curiosity and a little compassion for others or themselves if they’ve wrestled with things or felt judgmental. Maybe there’s a moment of ease that comes from watching people sort of wrestle with it.

Octavia Spencer – Cast Member

What attracted to the role you’re playing in this movie?

What attracted me to the role was a project as a whole. Jim, it was a great script, to get to work with Clare [attracted me] you know I’ve been a fan of her’s her entire career. We watched her grow up. I think it’s a very compelling story, and it’s something that I didn’t know a lot about, so I was able to grow as a person in playing this role. I hope that by offering this information, people will have a bit of entertainment, but also be enlightened by what they can contribute to this narrative so I felt obligated in a sense to be a part of it because there’s a growth and there’s a large community that will benefit from having these types of conversations early, so it’s about time a movie like this happened and leave it to Jim Parsons of all people to find it.

How do you prepare for a role like this?

Well, you have to do all your research and she’s a teacher who obviously has seen it all and knows all this stuff, so I had to do a lot of research.

Jim Parsons – Cast Member

What does being a part of this project mean to you?

Well, it’s been such honest labor of love. I loved the script from the moment I read it, and that was over four years ago now, and at the time I felt very hungry to make it. And that hunger never died, even though I thought for a span of time there that it wouldn’t happen. And when the ball started rolling, and people like Octavia and Clare said yes, suddenly it looked like things were falling into place, it really felt like a dream and up until we were shooting, the day before even, there were still things trying to fall into place with funding and stuff. It felt like can this possibly be happening? So to be here tonight and to be showing to an honest to God audience in a movie theatre it’s just really fulfilling, and I feel very strongly about the project, as I did from the moment I read it. It was worth fighting for, and it was worth viewing. It’s not only important messages aside, but it’s also an entertaining film, and it’s been written in such an organic and real way. It’s just fun to watch these people argue with each other.

Daniel Pearl – Writer

Where did the inspiration for the play come from?

There are different sources. I was reading an article about a family raising a gender, non-conforming child, just all the different pressures they felt from all the different places and the different opinions. What to do, what not to do. And you know as someone who went through my own princess phases when I was like four or five, I guess I was struck thinking if my parents had been raising that kid now, it would be an entirely different conversation. And for good reason. We’ve come a long way, but I was really struck by just how many choices on a day-to-day level that these parents were making. I think another thing that struck me was that my day job was always tutoring, high school, middle school, up until I moved to New York. Up until recently, that was my day job that sort of kept me afloat. I was always struck by the fact that all parents want their kids to be special, but no parents really want their kids to be different. There’s this weird paradox where everyone wants their kids to be unique and stand out but not too much. There’s this sort of bizarre push and pull. That was a paradox I found interesting. I think that was the original seed of it for me.

www.ifcfilms.com/films/a-kid-like-jake

In Theaters June 8th

A Kid Like JakeClaire DanesJim Parsonsoctavia spencerPriyanka Chopra
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Meral Kathwari

previous post
Get Your Free Tickets To ‘Ocean’s 8’ Here
next post
Real Talk with the Cast of ‘Queen Sugar’

Related Posts

Taking Off: IDID’s I did it, KCON LA...

October 1, 2025

Dylan Efron Teams Up with Marriott Bonvoy to...

October 1, 2025

2025 Teen Vogue Summit Recap: Full of Fun,...

September 30, 2025

“Jay Kelly” — It’s a Hell of a...

September 29, 2025

San Sebastián Film Festival: A Review

September 29, 2025

Brother Magazine’s Style Kings NYFW Party: Celebrating Black...

September 28, 2025

Daniel Day-Lewis Talks Pushing Aside His Pride to...

September 27, 2025

P1Harmony Breaks Down ‘EX,’ Spanish Version, Dream Night...

September 27, 2025

Julia Roberts Jokes That Andrew Garfield is Her...

September 27, 2025

Hot Ones Celebrates Ten Years of Star Studded...

September 26, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

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

Visit the @Complex x @Aepsa_official Pop-Up for ‘Rich Man’ in LA with The Knockturnal! ✨

From exclusive merch and photo cards to signatures and more — ~ 100% worth the visit 

⏰ Sept 16–17 | 11 AM – 7 PM PT
📍 433 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles

#Aespa #Complex #RichMan #KPopMerch #AespaInLA #KPopFans #Kpop #Karina #Giselle #Winter #NingNing
NYFW magic ✨ @aliceandolivia by Stacey Bendet tr NYFW magic ✨ @aliceandolivia by Stacey Bendet transformed the runway into a dazzling celebration of bold prints, playful silhouettes, and timeless style. From Surrogate’s Court to the city streets, the collection truly captured the spirit of the modern woman. 💄

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stars-stripes-and-alice-olivia-by-stacey-bendet/

✍️: ElizaBeth Taylor

-
#NYFW #AliceAndOlivia #StaceyBendet #RunwayStyle #FashionWeek
Some things are just a perfect match—milk & cook Some things are just a perfect match—milk & cookies, Oreos & a cold glass of milk… and @nickbarrotta on the red carpet celebrating 30 years of the iconic milk mustache. 🥛🍪

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/got-milk-celebrates-30-years-with-stars-and-everyday-californians/

✍️&🎤: Ashley Lopez

-
#GotMilk30 #GotMilk #NickBarrotta #TylerPerrysTheOval #MilkMustache
On the red carpet, Stranger Things star @priahferg On the red carpet, Stranger Things star @priahferguson spoke with us at the @gotmilk 30th Anniversary Milk Mustache Celebration, where the campaign unveiled its bold new focus on everyday Californians as the real icons. 🥛✨

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/got-milk-celebrates-30-years-with-stars-and-everyday-californians/

✍️&🎤: Ashley Lopez

-
#GotMilk30 #PriahFerguson #StrangerThings #MilkMustache #RedCarpet #GotMilk
First-time nominees dominated the 77th Emmys, turn First-time nominees dominated the 77th Emmys, turning the spotlight on breakout stars and fresh wins. 🎬🥇✨

Read about the rising talent redefining televisions biggest night.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/emmy-awards/

✍️: Danielle Biondi

-
#Emmys #Emmy #EmmyAwards #Emmys2025 #EmmyWinner #Film #AwardWinning #AwardSeason
We had the honor of celebrating VMAs weekend with We had the honor of celebrating VMAs weekend with @bacardi and @mtv! 💫
History met history last night 🗽🎬✨ The Ha History met history last night 🗽🎬✨

The Hamilton movie premiere transformed the Delacorte Theater into a stage of its own, as the original cast and creative team reunited to celebrate a story that changed Broadway forever. From the first note to the final bow, the revolution continues. 🎭📜

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/under-the-stars-at-the-delacorte-theater-hamilton-premiere-original-cast-in-attendance/

✍️: Lauren Wire

-
#Hamilton #Broadway #HamiltonMovie #DelacorteTheater #LinManuelMiranda #BroadwayLegends #StageToScreen #MusicalTheater
✨ Disney magic meets coffee culture ☕🐭 @dis ✨ Disney magic meets coffee culture ☕🐭 @disneyfamily x @lalalandkindcafe are serving up the sweetest collab of the season — from Mickey drink sleeves to Munchlings surprises 🎁 Don’t miss it before it’s gone Sept. 16!

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/mickey-friends-bring-whimsy-to-la-la-land-kind-cafe/

✍️: Ashley Lopez 

-
#Disney #LaLaLandKindCafe #DisneyCollab #DisneyMagic #CoffeeLovers #MickeyAndFriends #DisneyFoodies
From @iamcardib undeniable reign to @wutangclan ev From @iamcardib undeniable reign to @wutangclan everlasting impact, the 2025 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Awards celebrated the artists and executives shaping the culture today. 🎤🎸💥

With honorees like @leonthomas and @gelo alongside hip-hop’s legends, the night was a reminder that the genre’s future is just as powerful as its past. 🤩

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cardi-b-leon-thomas-gelo-wu-tang-clan-more-honored-at-2025-billboard-rb-hip-hop-power-players-awards/

✍️: Nishat Baig

-
#Billboard #RnB #HipHop #PowerPlayers #CardiB #WuTangClan #LeonThomas #Gelo #RnBMusic #HipHopCulture #MusicAwards
PSA!!! We have another #knockgiveaway and this tim PSA!!! We have another #knockgiveaway and this time it’s for tickets to see LU KALA 💥

We’re giving away a pair of tickets to see her at Mercury Lounge in New York City on September 10th! Join us as we dance the night away to some of her top hits like Pretty Girl Era and Hotter Now 🎶

To enter hit the link 🔗 in our bio and fill out the form. Winners will be contacted through email! 

📍MUST BE IN NEW YORK CITY
🎶 From EXO standout to solo powerhouse, @zkdlin 🎶 From EXO standout to solo powerhouse, @zkdlin brought charisma, control, and creativity to every second of his Shrine set.

Kai On Tour gave fans in LA a front-row seat to his evolution as an artist, and it was nothing short of iconic. 👏

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/kai-on/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-

#KaiOnTour #KAI #KAIatTheShrine #KpopInLA #EXO #KpopSoloist #KpopConcert #KAI2025 #ShrineLA
🗞️ Extra, extra! Go inside the newsroom with 🗞️ Extra, extra! Go inside the newsroom with “The Paper” — the sharp new workplace comedy making headlines. 🖋️ We sat down with the cast + creators in an exclusive video interview to talk inspiration, improv, and bringing chaos to the copy desk. 🎬✨

📺 Watch the full interview now 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/the-paper-puts-a-newsroom-spin-on-classic-workplace-comedy/

✍️: Alyssa Threadgill

-

#ThePaper #VideoInterview #WorkplaceComedy #BehindTheScenes #IndieTV #ComedySeries #CastInterview #OnSet #TVTalk #MakingTheShow #WritersRoom #BTS #NewSeries
🎥✨ Austin Butler and the cast of Caught Steal 🎥✨ Austin Butler and the cast of Caught Stealing open up about stepping into this gritty new story, the challenges on set, and why this film is unlike anything they’ve done before.

Catch our exclusive video interview now!

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/austin-butler-cast-talk-new-movie-caught-stealing-video/

✍️: OJ Williams

-
#AustinButler #CaughtStealing #MovieInterview #ExclusiveInterview #FilmFeature #BehindTheScenes #Hollywood #OnSet #NewMovies #EditorialContent #CastInterview
Vegas was just crowned the No. 1 nightlife spot in Vegas was just crowned the No. 1 nightlife spot in the world. We put our detective skills to work at @resortsworldlv to see if it lives up to the hype 🎰 🪩🥂💃🕺

Read the full review on our website ✍️ 

#lasvegas #resortsworld #hilton #sliving #zoox #zouk #stubbornseed #alle #nightlife #vegas #elderbrook
When French comfort food, @marthastewart48 hospita When French comfort food, @marthastewart48 hospitality, and @parisvegas combine you get @thebedfordbymarthastewart 🇫🇷🤤 Our recent trip to the legendary homemaker’s restaurant in Las Vegas had us positively stuffed.

Read the full review on our website ✍️ 

#lasvegas #marthastewart #thebedfordbymarthastewart #parislasvegas #frenchfood
@zkdlin performs ‘Mhmm’ at his solo tour #KaiO @zkdlin performs ‘Mhmm’ at his solo tour #KaiOn in Los Angeles ✨

Full Concert Review Coming Soon… ✍️

#Kai #Kpop #KpopConcert #Exo
@zkdlin performs ‘Rover’ 🚗⚠️ at #KaiOn @zkdlin performs ‘Rover’ 🚗⚠️ at #KaiOn in Los Angeles ✨ 

Full Concert Review Coming Soon… ✍️

#Kai #Kpop #KpopConcert #Exo
A @weareone.exo throwback from @zkdlin at his firs A @weareone.exo throwback from @zkdlin at his first ever solo tour, #KaiOn 🐺✨ This is ‘Growl’ 

Full Concert Review Coming Soon… ✍️

#Kai #Kpop #KpopConcert #Exo
🎶 Meet @hitgs_offcl — the K-Pop girl group ma 🎶 Meet @hitgs_offcl — the K-Pop girl group making waves at KCON 2025. In our exclusive, they open up about growth, music, and their U.S. debut story.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/hitgs/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#HITGS #KCON2025 #KPopGroup #RisingStars #KPopOnStage #KPopInTheUS #GlobalStage #KPopExclusive #MusicAndCulture #NextGenKPop
📍 Culture has a new home. Complex x ESPN’s fl 📍 Culture has a new home. Complex x ESPN’s flagship opening blended sport, sound, and style into an experience that set the tone for what comes next.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/complex-x-espn-flagship-grand-opening-a-night-of-style-sports-and-sounds/

✍️: Winnie Ren

-
#ComplexxESPN #FlagshipOpening #Complex #ESPN
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