Podcast Summary: All Of It – “An 18-Year-Old Meets Her 39-Year-Old Self in a Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Film”

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guests: Megan Park (Writer/Director), Maisie Stella (Lead Actress)
Date: September 11, 2024

Overview

This episode centers on the coming-of-age film My Old Ass, which follows 18-year-old Elliott as she meets her 39-year-old future self after a psychedelic mushroom trip. The film blends humor and introspection, prompting reflections on adolescence, leaving home, the mother-daughter bond, and the value of guidance from older, wiser versions of ourselves. Host Alison Stewart speaks with writer/director Megan Park and actress Maisie Stella (Elliot) about the film’s inspiration, the writing process, character development, and standout scenes. The conversation is candid, warm, and filled with behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inspiration & Premise of the Film

• [03:27] Megan Park describes being home in Canada, newly a mother and sleeping in her childhood bed, which made her reflective and nostalgic.

  • She wanted to explore the kind of “last time” moments in youth, wondering if we would appreciate them more if we knew they were endings.
  • The choice of mushrooms came later, seeking a fun yet grounded entry into a magical premise.
  • Quote: “My brain is very weird. No... There was a time when you went out and played with your friends for the last time and you didn’t know it was the last time. If you did know, would it ruin the moment for you?” — Megan Park [03:38]

• [02:04] Alison likens the film to “Freaky Friday” meets “Hot Tub Time Machine” — with a thoughtful, emotional core.

2. Maisie Stella’s First Impressions & Casting

• [04:21] Maisie Stella was a fan of Megan’s writing from The Fallout and immediately felt a “worst nightmare” anxiety over not getting the role because she resonated so much with the script and its authentic voice for her generation.

  • She admired Elliot’s confidence and “bright,” untroubled nature; qualities not often seen in young female leads.
  • Quote: “She writes for this generation in a way I haven’t really seen before… Dialogue that feels natural and real.” — Maisie Stella [04:21]

• [06:25] Maisie shares that after Nashville, she wanted roles that felt grounded and real, and this script was her “ideal project.”

3. Autobiographical Elements & Character Development

• [05:03] Megan Park notes that each character holds a piece of her. She relates to “old ass” Elliot (played by Aubrey Plaza) and the mother character, especially now as a parent.

4. The Writing & Editing Process

• [07:27] Megan reflects on how My Old Ass compares to her first film, The Fallout:
  • She was more intentional but also allowed for fun, coming from a heavier project.
  • She learned most about her writing during the editing stage, especially in trusting audiences and making tough editorial cuts—sometimes losing beloved scenes because less is more.
  • Quote: “You don’t have to give away as much as you think you do… You have to trust people.” — Megan Park [08:36]

5. On-Screen Chemistry & Aubrey Plaza’s Role

• [10:40] Maisie gushes about idolizing Aubrey Plaza and describes instant, genuine chemistry.
  • Aubrey, often “the secret softy,” only filmed in person for about a week. Most of her interactions were done through pre-recorded lines and ADR.
  • Aubrey watched dailies to match Maisie’s mannerisms—as the younger Elliot was filmed first.
  • Quote: “She was being sent dailies when I was filming… She was like, watching me and studying mannerisms and physicality.” — Maisie Stella [11:32]

6. Portraying the Same Character At Two Ages

• [12:30] Megan originally wrote older Elliot as late 40s/early 50s and struggled with casting based on appearance before realizing energy match was more important.
  • Aubrey Plaza was a lightning bolt choice, bringing the right “energy” and comedic chemistry.

7. Filming Technique: Phone Conversations

• [14:09] Logistically, they manipulated phone call scenes in post, crafting many lines via ADR. Sometimes Megan herself would read Aubrey’s lines off-camera on set.
  • The final result was much improved by the freedom ADR provided.
  • Quote: “From what was written phone call wise to what is now is so different and so much, like, funnier…” — Maisie Stella [14:49]

8. Introducing Elliot & the Mushroom Trip

• [15:55] The film quickly rockets to the pivotal mushroom trip, showing Elliot in her authentic element with friends.
  • The boat scene was especially thrilling and original:
    • Maisie, already a boat user in Nashville, trained to drive a different kind of boat and even got a boating license for the film.
    • Other actors’ fear on the boat was real!
  • Quote: “A young woman ripping around a lake on a boat is cool. I just hadn’t seen that before.” — Megan Park [16:05]

9. Themes: Family, Growth, and Realization

• [17:13] Elliot’s journey is universal: eager to leave home, with priorities shifting subtly across the story.
  • The emotional “wake up” mid-film mirrors Maisie’s real experience at 18.
  • The guilt and realization of parental humanity:
    • Quote: “You randomly look at your mom and you’re just like, oh god, you’re just a girl, and you’re just trying to figure this out… that’s Elliot’s discovery with her family.” — Maisie Stella [18:13]
  • The film explores how we accidentally hurt our parents in pursuit of independence and the gratitude that emerges with maturity.
    • Quote: “She doesn’t become somebody who’s like, I can’t, you know, I can’t leave home... There’s just an appreciation, I think.” — Megan Park [19:20]

10. The Justin Bieber Mushroom Scene

• [19:37] A wild, fun scene where Elliot, on mushrooms, channels Justin Bieber:
  • Maisie calls it one of the best days of her life and found it hard to shake off the “Bieber” energy even after filming ended.

11. Tone, Style, and Suspension of Disbelief

• [20:32] Megan embraced a “buy-in” mentality—rooted in the tradition of delightful, high-concept comedies like 13 Going on 30 or Mrs. Doubtfire.
  • She resisted unnecessary “sliding doors” explanations, focusing on character and heart rather than sci-fi logic.
  • Quote: “I didn’t want to get caught up in this sliding doors, sci fi... that’s not the heart of it.” — Megan Park [20:32]

12. Title Controversy: “My Old Ass”

• [21:11] Studios initially objected to the title, assuming it would have to change.
  • The creative team persisted as it fit the movie’s spirit—eventually, they found supportive partners.
  • Quote: “Just seeing, like, really professional business emails… the title is like, ‘business call about My Old Ass’...” — Megan Park [21:57]

13. Audience Takeaways & Hopes

• [22:19] Maisie hopes young viewers reflect on their family ties, just as she did while filming.
  • The ultimate compliment, they agree, is if viewers are moved to call a parent after seeing the film.
  • Quote: “They get in the car and they call their mom or they call their dad and say I love you.” — Megan Park [23:06]

Notable Quotes

• “There was a time when you went out and played with your friends for the last time and you didn’t know it was the last time. If you did know, would it ruin the moment for you?”
  — Megan Park [03:38]

• “I always say, like, this movie’s like a visual representation of, like, the moment that you randomly look at your mom and you’re just like… you’re just a girl, and you’re just trying to figure this out.”
  — Maisie Stella [18:13]

• “I didn’t want to get caught up in this sliding doors, sci fi… that’s not the heart of it.”
  — Megan Park [20:32]

• “Just seeing, like, really professional business emails… the title is like, ‘business call about My Old Ass’...”
  — Megan Park [21:57]

• “They get in the car and they call their mom or they call their dad and say I love you.”
  — Megan Park [23:06]

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• [10:00] Humorous audio clip: Elliot asks her older self for “something good about the future,” only to learn she’s still in school in her 30s, prompting laughter in the studio.
• [16:13] Discussion of Maisie’s boating lessons and the genuine fear on set during boat scenes.
• [19:37-20:13] Animated description of Maisie channeling Justin Bieber during a mushroom trip scene.
• [21:50] Running gag about executives discussing “My Old Ass” in professional settings.

Conclusion

This engaging conversation offers rich insight into the making of My Old Ass, from its heartfelt themes to its quirky humor and relatable coming-of-age moments. Megan Park and Maisie Stella’s openness, combined with Alison Stewart’s thoughtful questions, make this episode a meaningful exploration of nostalgia, growing up, family ties, and the delicate art of not giving everything away—on screen or in life.

Recommended listening for fans of honest, emotional indie cinema, family stories, and anyone contemplating how our younger and older selves might talk to each other.