Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Episode Featuring Gia Coppola

Episode Overview In this compelling episode of Dinner’s on Me, host Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Gia Coppola to delve into her latest work, “The Last Showgirl”, and explore the profound influences of her illustrious family legacy. Recorded at Squirrel in East Hollywood, the conversation navigates Gia's creative journey, personal struggles, and the intersections of family and artistry.

1. Introduction to Gia Coppola and “The Last Showgirl”

[02:10]
Jesse Tyler Ferguson introduces Gia Coppola, highlighting her role as the director of “The Last Showgirl”, a film starring Pamela Anderson as an aging showgirl in Las Vegas. Gia’s performance garnered significant acclaim, earning Pamela a Golden Globe and SAG Award nomination.

“Born into one of the most iconic families in film history, Gia Coppola carries the weight of a cinematic dynasty while striving to forge her own unique path in the creative world.”
– Jesse Tyler Ferguson [02:21]

Gia’s upbringing among legendary storytellers like her grandfather, Francis Ford Coppola, and aunt, Sofia Coppola, has deeply influenced her storytelling style, which favors intimate narratives over grand epics.

2. Collaborating with Family on “The Last Showgirl”

[05:30]
Gia discusses the collaborative nature of her latest project, emphasizing the involvement of her family members in various roles. Her cousin, Kate Gersten, wrote the screenplay based on her play, and other family members contributed to costumes, production, and script supervision.

“I thought about Kate's play and that sort of structure of, you know, not a lot of locations, not a lot of cast made sense to sort of make a small independent film.”
– Gia Coppola [09:54]

She also shares insights into securing authentic showgirl costumes from the original Jubilee show, with assistance from Dita Von Teese, ensuring historical accuracy and aesthetic integrity.

“Pamela said that some of the names were still written on the back of the costume.”
– Gia Coppola [11:05]

3. Overcoming Personal Challenges and Academic Struggles

[29:00]
Gia opens up about her difficult school years, where she struggled academically and faced significant insecurity.

“I lost a lot of my self confidence, and it took a lot for me to regain that.”
– Gia Coppola [29:24]

She reflects on how negative experiences with education influenced her self-perception and fueled her creative endeavors.

“So how did you overcome that?”
– Jesse Tyler Ferguson [29:21]

Gia credits her transformation to supportive mentors and family members who encouraged her artistic pursuits, ultimately leading her to study photography and, later, filmmaking.

4. Influences and Inspirations in Filmmaking

[21:12]
The conversation shifts to the films that have shaped Gia’s perspective as a filmmaker. Although she acknowledges the iconic status of “The Godfather” and “Gone with the Wind”, Gia admits she hadn't seen them until later in life due to familial pressures and personal apprehensions.

“I had a lot of pressure and intimidation and... no one really wanted to rewatch that with me.”
– Gia Coppola [22:03]

She expresses admiration for directors like David Fincher and films such as “Social Network” and “Jaws”, highlighting their tight narratives and creative ingenuity on limited budgets.

“I love that movie. Social Network's a huge one for me.”
– Gia Coppola [23:20]

5. The Role of Parenthood in Creative Expression

[37:19]
Gia discusses how becoming a mother profoundly impacted her approach to storytelling, particularly in “The Last Showgirl”.

“I couldn't have told this story had I not become a mother.”
– Gia Coppola [38:32]

She explains that parenthood unlocked deeper emotional layers, enabling her to portray complex characters with authenticity and vulnerability.

“Parenthood... opens up a part of you that is. You can do anything, like, because you have to.”
– Gia Coppola [38:32]

6. Learning About Her Absent Father

[34:55]
Gia shares her emotional journey of learning about her father, Giancarlo Coppola, who passed away before her birth. She reflects on the partial understanding of his life through stories shared by relatives.

“I always, you know, will have this missing part in my heart for not knowing what that was like.”
– Gia Coppola [35:04]

Her family’s embrace and support have been pivotal in shaping her identity and creative spirit, bridging the gap left by her father’s absence.

7. Meeting Her Husband During the Pandemic

[43:00]
The episode touches on Gia’s personal life, detailing how she met her husband, Honor Titus, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their relationship blossomed from a blind date facilitated by mutual friends, leading to a deep and supportive partnership.

“We kind of knew what each other looked like, but not, like, much about each other.”
– Gia Coppola [43:33]

She humorously recounts their first date, which involved playing a card game to ease the nerves, ultimately leading to a strong and loving relationship.

8. Defining Success and Artistic Fulfillment

[41:22]
Gia delves into her personal definition of success, emphasizing internal fulfillment over external accolades.

“Success for me, I think, is that I get to be Creative. And, you know, my family is happy and healthy, like, and I have a beautiful son that's so.”
– Gia Coppola [42:57]

She highlights the importance of creativity, family well-being, and personal happiness as her markers of success, resisting societal pressures and external validations.

9. Reflecting on Creative Heritage and Collaboration

[40:15]
Gia reminisces about summers in Napa, spending time with her grandparents and participating in family-run one-act plays. These experiences fostered a collaborative and playful approach to creativity, deeply influencing her filmmaking style.

“They took one act plays and then either locals from Napa were in them or the family members were in them.”
– Gia Coppola [39:33]

This heritage of creativity and collaboration is evident in her projects, where familial support and teamwork are paramount.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The episode wraps up with Gia expressing gratitude for the supportive environment cultivated by her family and friends, which has been instrumental in her artistic achievements. Jesse hints at future episodes, including an upcoming conversation with comedian Chelsea Handler, promising more engaging and candid discussions.

“It's beautiful. I think if you can kind of keep that alive within yourself, then there's so much gratitude.”
– Gia Coppola [42:57]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “I couldn't have told this story had I not become a mother.” – Gia Coppola [38:32]

• “Success for me, I think, is that I get to be Creative. And, you know, my family is happy and healthy, like, and I have a beautiful son that's so.” – Gia Coppola [42:57]

• “I lost a lot of my self confidence, and it took a lot for me to regain that.” – Gia Coppola [29:24]

• “Pamela said that some of the names were still written on the back of the costume.” – Gia Coppola [11:05]

Final Thoughts This episode of Dinner’s on Me offers an intimate glimpse into Gia Coppola's life, blending her professional achievements with her personal growth. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how family legacy, personal challenges, and motherhood intertwine to shape her unique voice in the filmmaking landscape.

For more insightful conversations and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to Dinner’s on Me and join Jesse Tyler Ferguson as he continues to explore the lives and minds of creative visionaries.