Avincentpictures/Flowerfilms/Ryeroadproduction

FOXSEARCHLIGHTPICTURES

Presents

InAssociationWith

MANDATEPICTURES

AVINCENTPICTURES/FLOWERFILMS/RYEROADPRODUCTION

ELLENPAGE

MARCIAGAYHARDEN

KRISTENWIIG

DREWBARRYMORE

JULIETTELEWIS

JIMMYFALLON

ALIASHAWKAT

EVE

ZOËBELL

ARIGRAYNOR

EULALASCHEEL

ANDREWWILSON

CARLOALBAN

LANDONPIGG

RACHELPIPLICA

KRISTENADOLFI

DANIELSTERN

DIRECTEDBYDREWBARRYMORE

SCREENPLAYBYSHAUNACROSS

BASEDONTHENOVEL“WHIPIT”BYSHAUNACROSS

PRODUCEDBYBARRYMENDEL

DREWBARRYMORE

EXECUTIVEPRODUCERSPETERDOUGLAS

NANCYJUVONEN

KIRSTEN“KIWI”SMITH

NATHANKAHANE

JOEDRAKE

CHRISMILLER

DIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYROBERTYEOMANASC

PRODUCTIONDESIGNERKEVINKAVANAUGH

EDITORDYLANTICHENORACE

COSTUMEDESIGNERCATHERINEMARIETHOMAS

CO-PRODUCERSNICOLEBROWN

KELLIKONOP

JASONLUST

KARYNMcCARTHY

MUSICBYTHESECTIONQUARTET

MUSICSUPERVISORRANDALLPOSTER

CASTINGBYJUSTINEBADDELEYand

KIMDAVIS-WAGNER

Runningtime111minutes

Foryears,BlissCavendar(AcademyAwardnomineeEllenPage)hasbeendreamingofescapinghertiny,truck-stopofatownBodeen,Texas.Unfortunatelyherdevoted,beautypageantobsessedmother(AcademyAwardwinnerMarciaGayHarden)isconvincedthatBlisscanonlysucceedinlifeifshewinsthecrownatthelocalMissBlueBonnetPageant,buttheawkwardoutsiderknowsthere’ssomethingbiggerandbetteroutthere.WhenBlisssneaksofftothebigcityofAustinwithherbestfriendPash(AliaShawkat)shediscoversaworldunlikeanythingshecouldeverimagine:rollerderby,withitsgirl-power-meets-punk-rockspiritanditsliberatingcelebrationofwildindividuality.

InspiredbythelikesofMaggieMayhem(KristenWiig),BlisssecretlytriesoutforaspotontheHurlScouts,arag-tagteamofscrappyunderdogs.Soonshe’stradinginhergownsandcrownsforskirts,skatesandscrapesbecomingheralterego,BabeRuthless.Leadingaprecariousdoublelife,BlissmaybeawaitressatBodeen’sOinkJointbyday,butbynight,she’sbecomingthefastestthingoneightwheels.Nowshe’sdoingthingssheneverdreamedof-fearlesslyfacingoffwithbad-assrivalslikeIronMaven(AcademyAwardnomineeJulietteLewis)andfallingforaboyinaband(singer/songwriterLandonPigg)-whiletryingtobeaheroinetohernewfriendsandteam-mates.Butwhenhersecretgetsout,Blisswillfacehertoughestfightyet:totakecontrolofthefuture...onherownterms.

Roundingoutadynamicensemblecast,WHIPITalsostarsJimmyFallon,Eve,ZoëBell,AriGraynor,EulalaScheel,AndrewWilson,CarloAlbanandDanielStern.ThefilmmarksthefeaturefilmdirectorialdebutofDrewBarrymore,whoalsostarsasthefeistyHurlScout,SmashleySimpson.Thefilmisproducedbytwo-timeAcademyAward-nomineeBarryMendelalongwithBarrymorefromascreenplaybyShaunaCross,authorofthesemi-autobiographicalnovelfromwhichWHIPITisadapted.ThefilmisexecutiveproducedbyPeterDouglas,NancyJuvonen,Kirsten“Kiwi”Smith,NathanKahane,JoeDrakeandChrisMiller.NicoleBrown,KelliKonop,JasonLustandKarynMcCarthyserveasco-producers.

Inasharp,grittyyetpoignantrole,EllenPagestarsasBlissCavendar,whosesuddenencounterwithrollerderbygiveswaytoarough-hewn,bruise-filleddreamthatwillcollidewithhermother’s(AcademyAwardwinnerMarciaGayHarden)honesthopesforamoregildedfuture.

Settinginmotionthestory’ssincerebutdefiantlyboldtone-oneinkeepingwithrollerderby’smixofhighhumourandtruegrit-isDrewBarrymore,whomakesherdirectorialdebut.BarrymorecouldnotresistanyofthemulticolouredstrandsofWHIPIT-notitsdashingfreespirit,notitscandiddepictionoffamilyconflicts,notitssweetmomentsoffriendshipandromance,anddefinitelynotthebackdropofoneoftheedgiest,mostempowering,undergroundsportsinAmerica-sosheputthemallinthemixtowhipupacomedy-dramafullofenergy,humourandyearning.

SaysBarrymore:“Thisfilmisreallypersonalandimportanttomebecauseit’saboutagirlfindingoutwhosheis,goingafterwhatshebelievesinandbringingoutthebestinherself.It’ssetagainsttheworldofrollerderby,whichisaboutgritandtoughness,butthere’salsothisgreatwinkandcelebrationandfuntoit.It’sfeminineonitsownterms,it’saboutpowerwithoutangerandit’sexhibitionismthatentertains.It’saworldwhereyougettobeyourownheroandfindyourowntribe.”

WELCOMETOTHEALL-GIRLROLLERDERBYREVOLUTION

Intheyear2000,rollerderbywasreborn.IthappenedinAustin,Texas,whereahome-grownversionofthesport-grittier,sexierandpunkier-wonoverfanswithitsrefreshingmixofrawathleticismandplayfulrebelliousspirit.FirstinventedinthedoldrumsofDepression-EraAmerica,thespeedy,full-contactsport-inwhichskaterschaseeachotheraroundanovaltrack,throwingelbowsandbody-checkingoneanother-becameapop-culturespectacleinthe60sand70s,thendisappeared.Butrecentlyitstartedmakingasurprisecomeback,asgrass-rootsleaguesbeganspringingupincitiesacrosstheUS,thrillingaudienceswiththeirracyclothing,rock-n-rollattitudesandsheercompetitivefervour.Asnewcomerstookonsexy,sardonic“skatenames”likeCondaleezaSlice,DemiGoreandAnnaMosity,JanisChoplin,EvaDestructionandJudyGloom,rollerderbyturnedeverydaygirlsintolocalsuperheroes.

OnepersoncaughtupinthefledglingnewrollerderbycrazewasscreenwriterShaunaCrosswho,whenshewasn’tbehindherwriter’sdesk,wassmashingwithwildabandonintootherskatersontheoriginalLosAngelesDerbyDolls,foundedin2003asthecity’spremierquad-skaterollerderbyleague.Skatingasheralter-egoMaggieMayhem,Crosswassoimpressedbyrollerderby’sliberatingpowersinherownlifethatshebeganwritingaboutit.Sheenvisionedasemi-autobiographicaltaleinvolvingagirlwhofindshertrueidentitywhenshesecretlytriesoutforarollerderbyleague,boldlygoingagainsteverythingthepageant-lovingmothershesowantstopleasewantsforher.

“IneverwouldhavethoughtIwouldwriteaboutrollerderby,butIwasreallyinspiredbyalltheseamazingwomenIskatedwithwhoaresostrongandsuchincrediblerolemodels,”saysCross.“FromtheminuteIstartedskating,Istartedthinkingaboutthisstory,wonderingwhatIwouldhavedoneifIhaddiscoveredthiswhenIwas17.Rollerderbyisabitlikebecomingasuperhero-yougetanewname,anewpersonaandyoutogettobethisamazingperson.IwonderedwhatwouldIhaveriskedtohavethatat17?WouldIhaveliedtomyparents?”

HavinggrownupinAustin,shesetthestoryinTexas,whererollerderbywasreignitedinitsmodern,authenticform.ThenovelmovedintohighgearwhenCrosswasworkingwithherfriend,Kirsten“Kiwi”Smith,onanotherprojectandSmithbecameincreasinglycuriousaboutCross’sunconventionalpastime.“ItwasalwaysthatIcouldn’tmeetbecauseofpracticeorI’dhavethesebigbruisesonmyarmbecauseofpractice-andKirstenstartedsaying‘youhavegottowriteaboutthis,’”recallsCross.

ThenextthingCrossknewshewaspitchingWHIPITtobothpublishersandproductioncompanies-and,inafulfilmentofawriter’swildestdreams,inkingdealsforanovelandamovie.Asfun,fastandheartfeltasthesportitself,thebook,publishedin2007,wonglowingreviewsforitshybridmixoftoughactionandadolescentsearching–andmadethestory’sjourneytothescreenacertainty.

TALESFROMTHETRACK:DEVELOPMENT

ThemixofWHIPIT’swryfamilycomedyandrawrollerderbysettingdrewalotofattentioninHollywoodandtherightswerequicklypickedupbyexecutiveproducerPeterDouglas.Atthesametime,twofilmmakersfellsomadlyinlovewithBlissCavendar’sstoryitseemedtheyweredestinedtomakeit:DrewBarrymoreandNancyJuvonen,partnersatFlowerFilmswhoacquiredtherightstoCross’bookWhipIt.JuvonenandBarrymorehaveproducedtenfilmsincludingDONNIEDARKO,FIFTYFIRSTDATES,HE’SJUSTNOTTHATINTOYOUandtheCHARLIE’SANGELSfranchise.WhenBarrymoreencounteredWHIPIT,theusualprocessbeganofsearchingfortheperfectdirector.Listswerecompiled,reelswerewatchedandmeetingsweretaken,butBarrymoreseemedtohaveadifferentpersonalconnectiontothisparticularpiece.

Shewasdrawntotheaction,thehumour,thevibrantcharacters,butmostofallbythechancetotellagalvanizingstoryaboutayoungwomanfightingtomakeherownwayintheworld-inashockingandunlikelyarena.“Iliterallyhadthatahamoment,whereIthought:‘Ihavetodirectthis;thisisthefilmIhavetostartwith,’”Barrymoresays.“ItfeltlikesomethingIwaspracticingformywholelife.ItookeverylittledetailthatIhadeverseenandlearnedandexperiencedandsoakedup-whetheritwasasongIheard,amuseumIwenttoorapersonImet-andIpictureditallasanemotionalandculturalpiggybank.ThenItookmypiggybankandbrokeitalloverthefloorforthisfilm.”

Shecontinues:“TherewerethreestrongelementsthatIidentifiedwith.First,themother-daughterstruggleandthedesiretobeacceptedforwhoyouareinyourfamily-findingyourtribe.Second,averyimportantelementformewasthatIrelatedtoagirlwho,againstallodds,findsherinnerstrengthandbelievesshecandowhatboysdowhilestayingtruetoherself.Andfinally,thereistheideathatyoucanbeyourownhero,whichisahugethemethroughoutthismovie.”

BarrymorelovedthehumourinthecontrastbetweenBliss’sboldchoicesandhermother’straditionalism,butshecompletelyrejectedtheideaofslippingintosatire.Shewastooinlovewithallthecharacters,includingBrookeCavendar(Harden)andherfiercelydefendedbeautypageantobsession.“SomecomediestakeasourtoneonpageantsbutIdidn’twantthatforthismovie,”sheexplains.“Bliss’smomhonestlybelievespageantsareawaytogetaheadinlife,whichtheywerewhenshewasgrowingup.ButthepageantworlddoesmakeforafantasticchangewhenBlissentersrollerderby.Thereissuchaperfectjuxtapositionbetweenthepolishedworldofpageantsandthe‘expressyourself’worldofderby.”

Meanwhile,MandatePictureshadalsobecomeferventfansofthecompletedscript.“Afterreadingsuchafresh,heart-warmingcoming-of-agestoryandthensittingwithDrewtohearherthoughtsonhowtobringthisgreatscripttolife,itwasclearthatIhadtomakethismovieandsupportDrew’svisioninallwayspossible,”saysMandatePresidentandexecutiveproducerNathanKahane“Drewbringssomuchrawtalentandexperiencetothetable,Ihadcompleteandutterconfidenceinherfromtheget-go.WHIPITprovedtobejusttherightfilmforhertostepintothosedirectingshoes.”

Simultaneously,BarrymoreinvitedBarryMendeltocomeaboardtoproducethefilm.InadditiontohavingrecentlyproducedMUNICH,MendelhadalsoworkedwithdirectorsWesAnderson,MNightShyamalanandJossWhedonontheirearlysuccessesandlentdirectiontoBarrymore’sprocess.“Drewhadveryhighambitions-shewantedtomakeanunabashedlyfunmoviebuttoalsogowaybeyondthatintermsofbothdepthandstyle.”

Thetwobeganbywatchingtonsofmovies,fromdocumentariestomodernfilmstofilmsfromthe‘70sand‘80stofindtheinspirationforwhatwouldultimatelybecomethelookandfeelandtoneofthescreenplayandthefilm.Theystudiedcinematographers,productionsdesignersandvariousotherartiststofindtheingredientswhichfeltrightforthefilm.Mostimportantly,theyworkedhardonthescriptfleshingoutthemother-daughter,friendship,teamandromanticstories,gettingreadyforthechancetotellthestoryoftheseawesomeyoungwomen.

“Weaspiredtoescapethebrightly-collaredoftenover-litworldsofmodernfilmcomedies.Wealsowantedtogetbeyondthelightweightquippinessofmostmodernmoviesaboutyoungpeople.Welovedthemovieswegrewupon,whichwerefunandfunnyandentertainingbutalsohadmoreinterestingcharactersandweren’tafraidofgravityandrealityanddarkershades.”

Asthefilmmakerswhippedthroughdevelopment,aquestionlingered.“Wekeptasking:whatgenremoviearewemaking?Andtheanswerwas‘anewgenre.’”recallsShaunaCross.“Dependingonwhichpartofthescriptwewereworkingonitwassometimesacoming-of-agesportsmovie,whileothertimesitwasaveryintensedramaaboutamotheranddaughterinconflict,andothertimesitwasafun,modernromanticcomedy.Ithinkthatmixoftonesreflectsrollerderby,becauserollerderbyisaboutalldifferentworldscomingtogether.It’sthisraw,dirty,chaoticrealmwherethebeautifulpartisthat,nomatterwhat,yougettobeyourself.”

“Forallofthat,though,WHIPITisthemostunabashedlyfunfilmI’veproduced,”saidMendel.“Thesewomenletitallhangoutinthewaytheydress,theflairtheybringtothesportandthewaytheycombineself-expression,rock‘nrollandathleticism.Peopledon’tknowtoomuchaboutthisworld,andwithinaminuteofmyfirstnightatthetrack,itspoketome,Ifelthonouredandprivilegedtogettomakeamovieaboutthem.Wealldid.”

Mendeladds:“WhenDrewproducedCharlie’sAngels,shetookamoviethatwasfunandalsoshowedwomenbeingactionheroesinawaywehadn’tseenbefore,veryfeminineandsexy.Drewrepresentseverythingthismovieisabout:emotion,funandempowerment,andshethrewitallintothefilm.”

WOMANONWHEELS:BLISSCAVENDAR

ThefirstchallengefacingtheWHIPITteamwasfindinganactresswhocouldfillBlissCavendar’sReidells.Sheneededtobesmart,offbeatandauthentic-butshealsoneededtobewillingandabletowhiparoundatrackatfearlessspeeds.Rightfromthestart,therewasjustonepersonwhoseemedtoembodythehumour,courageandauthenticityofthecharacter:EllenPage.

“Ellenissuchabeautifulcreatureandhasavulnerabilityandsexinessthatisalsotomboyish.IwasdeterminedtoshoweveryaspectofherasBliss,”saysDrewBarrymore.“Ididn’twantBlisstobetheclichéofageekwhobecomesabadassbytheendortheuglyducklingwhoturnsintoaswan.Ellenunderstoodthatandyouwatchhertransformverysubtly.Atthebeginning,EllengivesBlissapigeonwalkandtentativebodylanguage,butbytheendshehasadifferentphysicalpossession.Youwatchhergrowfromasmall-towngirlintothisrock‘nrollworldwhereshetrulyfitsandflourishes.”

BarrymoreandPagechattedlongintothenightaboutBliss,thewaytwofriendsmightanalyseallthetrialsandtribulationsofanother.“Wetalkedaboutthethingsthatstarttochangeherandthatempowerher,suchasthemomentshegoesfromwantingtotellhermother‘Ilovethis’toactuallysayingitoutloud.WebothreallywantedtogetinsidenotonlyBliss’sworld,”explainsBarrymore.“WewantedtocapturethelevityandthecomplexityofallthesedifferenttypesofrelationshipsBlisshas.Includingfriendships,team-matecamaraderieandfirstloves.”

Beforesheevertiedupherlaces,Pageknewshewasinforperhapsthewildestrideofheryoungcareer.“ThishasbeenoneofthecraziestjourneysI’vegoneoninamovie,”Pageadmits,“becauseitisamixofdifferentgenresandworldsandenergiesanditseemslikeeverymomentissocrucialtoBliss’sgrowthanddevelopment.What’sgreataboutthisfilmisthatit’sgotthisrockn’roll,cool,sportyaspecttoitbutbehindthatisanhoneststoryofayoungwomangoingthroughalotofchanges.ThechallengewasmouldingallthattogetherandDrewdiditbrilliantly,withherhighenergyandpositivespirit.”

PlayingBlisswasasphysicalasitwasemotional,throwingPageintoamadpursuitofderbyskills.“IamCanadiansoIskate,”laughsPage.“ButIwasn’tgoodbyanymeans,andmyskillsdefinitelyhadtoimprove.EveryonehadfaithandtrustedthatIwouldtrainhardandhavethatmomentwhenitwouldallcometogether.”Cometogetheritdidassheenduredmonthsofrigorous,evenperilous,trainingandthenthrewherselfintothering,jammingwiththeDerbyDollsinLosAngelesforreal-lifepractice.“Iwasabsolutelyterrified,”shesaysoftheexperience.“Itwaslikethefirstdayofschool.NomatterhowmuchI’dpracticed,it’sadauntingthingtohavepeoplewantingtoripyourheadoffwhileyou’redoingit!Butwhenyougetit,it’ssuchafantasticfeeling.”

PagegotfurtherinspiredbythebigchangesthatshakeupBliss’lifewhenshefirstsetseyesonthespectacleofderby-changesthatwillchallengehertomakeatough,butredemptive,bidforherindependencebyfinallytellinghermotherthetruth.“IthinkBlisshasbeentryingtofigureoutawaytobeabletoexpressherselfcomfortablyforalongtime,”observesPage.“Sheknowsthatthebeautypageantsceneisnotit;sheknowsshe’salwaysbeenalittlebitdifferent;andsheknowsshedoesnotwanttostayinthissmalltownofBodeenforever.Sowhenshemeetsthesederbygirlsandseesthewaytheirdifferencesarebeingcelebratedandthewaytheyaresoindividualyettheyallcometogether,it’sathrill.She’sneverexperiencedanythinglikeit.It’sthefirsttimeshe’shadachancetoactuallylikewhosheis-andthat’swhensherealizesshe’sgoingtohavetofighttokeepthisfeelingalive.”

ThespiritofrollerderbyseemstobejustwhatBlissislookingfor.“Ithinksometimeswhenthingsarecoolorhipitcanfeelcontrived,butthere’ssomethingaboutthederbyworldthatisverysincereandauthenticandthatiswhat’ssoincrediblyexcitingtoBliss,”saysPage.“Derbyisallaboutpassion.Girlswhohaveneverplayedsportsbefore,whowerehatedinthatrealminschool,putontheskatesandlearnhowtobeempoweredwomen.Oneofthebeautifulthingsaboutitisthatanybodycanbecomegoodatit-ifyoufeelstronglyaboutit.”

ButBliss’ssecretentryintotheworldofderbyisnotwithoutconsequences.Ontopoflyingtoherparents,Blissfindsherverybestfriend,Pash,slippingawayasshemovesintothisnewphaseofselfdiscovery.Andthen,themostunlikelythingofallhappens.Blissfallsinlove.ForBarrymore,Bliss’sfast-movingromancewiththeultimatefoil-aboyinahotindieband-wasanotherkeytoherstory.Confessesthedirector,“Ithinkwhenyoufallinlovewithsomeonewhohasalltheculturalandemotionalidealsthatyoudo,wholovesallthesamemusicandmovies,it’seasytoloseyourfootingandjustgetsowrappedupinit.That’swhathappenstoBliss,anditraisesalotofquestionsforher.It’sfunandsweepsheroffherfeet,butthenthingstakeaturnandshelearnsaboutwhosheisandwhatshereallywants.Ithinkit’sariteofpassagethateverygirlhastogothrough.”

Pageadoredthelovestory’sspectrumofrealemotions-theimpatience,uncertaintyanddownrightchaosofbeingknockeddownbyfeelingsthatdon’talwaysmakesense.“Ilikethatthisstoryshowstwoindividualsfallingforeachotherinareallyauthenticwayandthatitdoesn’tendupthewayyounecessarilyexpect,”shesays.

Bytheendofproduction,PagewasnearlyasinlovewithderbyasBliss.Sheevenbegancontemplatingoneofthemostimportantelementsofeveryderbygirl’sidentity:herskatename.WhileBlissCavendarchooses“BabeRuthless”asaremindertoherselftoshownomercy,Pagehasherownmonikerinmind.“Ilike‘HurtVonnegut’becauseVonnegut’soneofmyfavouriteauthors,”shemuses.Thatsaid,Barrymorechosethederbyname‘SmallNewman’forPageandcallsherthattothisday.

SEEKINGMISSBLUEBONNET:THECAVENDARFAMILY

BlissCavendarloveshermother-butstruggleswithhermother’soverridingdreamforher,towinalocalbeautypageantcrownasthestepping-stonetoasatisfyingadultlife.ToplayBrookeCavendar-whoishidingastrengthandpassionthatrivalsBliss’sbehindhercarefullycultivatedfaçade-DrewBarrymorechoseAcademyAwardwinnerandrecentTonyAwardwinnerMarciaGayHardenforheruniqueabilitytosimultaneouslyrevealhumourandvulnerability.

Harden,whosereallifedaughter,EulalaScheel,playsBliss’youngersister,cameatthemoviewithherownpointofreferenceonhowmothersanddaughtersbattleeachother,misunderstandeachotherandultimatelyseethemselvesreflectedinoneanother.“Tome,WHIPITisamother-daughterstory,”saystheactress.“It’salsoarollerderbystoryandasportsdramaandaromanticcomedybuttheheartofwhatgoesonisbetweenBlissandBrooke-thetensionbetweenBrookehavingahardtimelettingherdaughterexpressherselfandneedingtoletgoandBlissneedingtogothroughthatjourneyoffiguringoutherownidentity.”

ShesearchedforjusttherighttoneforBrooke,walkingafinelinebetweenempathy,realismandwryhumour.Thebottomline,shesays,isthatshealwayssawBrookeasbeingtruetowhatshereallybelieves,nomatterhowquaintitmightseem.“Brookeseespageantsasalaunchingpadandforsomeoneinasmalltownwheretherearefewoptions,beingapageantwinnermaybegivesyouacertainstature,acertainglidingease,whenyougooutintotheworld,andthat’swhatshedreamsofforherdaughter,”shesays.“DrewandItalkedalotaboutneverpokingfunatthecharacterbutstilllettingtheaudienceenjoythelargesseofthissituationwherebeautypageantsandrollerderbyclash.”

HardenalsoissurethatBrookerelatestoherdaughter’srebellionfarmorethanshecaneverreveal.“Ican’timaginethere’saparentwhodoesn’trelatetoherchild’srebelliousspirit,”sheremarks.“TheproblemisthatyouknowyourkidswillfallandhurtthemselvesandIthinkthat’swhereBrookeishavingsuchahardtime.Rollerderbyisaworldshedoesn’tunderstand.Thegirlsareintenselysexywithstrongpersonalities,wildcostumes,uncompromisingattitudesandfunkynicknames.Theysporttheirbruiseslikebadgesofhonour.SheseeswhythisisintoxicatingtoBliss,butshe’sscared.Deepdownsheknowsshecan’tliveherdaughter’slifeforherandshehastoreconcilewiththat.”

HelpingBrookedothatisherhusbandandBliss’slaidbackdad,EarlCavendar,playedbyDanielStern,knownforhisknackofseamlesslymixingcomedyanddramainawidevarietyofroles.Earlierinhiscareer,SternstarredinoneofDrewBarrymore’sfavouritemoviesandaninspirationforWHIPIT-thecoming-of-ageclassicBREAKINGAWAY.“This film really does have a lot of the same elements: it gets dramatic, it gets funny as hell and at the end you’re standing on your feet yelling ‘Go, go, go! Wintherace!’”saysStern.

Earl,anex-footballplayer,admireshisdaughter’sneedtopushtheenvelope,evenashetriestoplaypeacekeeper.“Frankly,toEarl,becomingarollerderbystarsoundslikeaheckofalotmorefunthantheBluebonnetPageant,”laughsStern.“ThechallengeisforEarltotrytoconvinceBrookethattheyshouldbeallowingBlisstodowhatshewantstodo.Thatpartinterestedme-thequestionofhowamandealswithmakingpeaceinahouseholdfullofwomenandmakinghimselfheardwhenthewomendon’tnecessarilywanthispointofview.”

Sternalsolikedbeinginvolvedinanothersportsdrama-albeitthistimeinvolvingawhollyalternativesport.“IlovesportsmoviesbecauseIloveunderdogsgoingagainsttheodds,”hesays.“Withitstoughchicksanditsrebelliousspirit,rollerderbyistheperfectplaceforsomeonetoprovehermettle-andBlissisagreatcharactertohavethechancetodothat.”

INTOTHERINK:THEDERBYGIRLS

WhenBlissCavendarslipsawaytoAustintoseeherfirstrollerderby,it’sloveatfirstsight,especiallywhenshemeetsourheroteam-theHurlScouts,eachonearough-and-tumblemisfit,yetallofthemsexy,savvyandseeminglylivingtheiroffbeatlivestothehilt.Beforetheskatingevenbegins,Blissknowsshe’sfoundaworldthat’sforher.

CastingthevivaciousHurlScouts,andtheirequallyhardnosedcompetitors,wasachallengingandexcitingtaskforDrewBarrymore,whohand-pickedanensembleofvibrant,funnyactors-bothveteransandnewcomers-whohadablastwiththeirrolesandtookontheactionwithprofessionalismandenthusiasm.

FirstshecastKristenWiig(“SaturdayNightLive”,KNOCKEDUP)asMaggieMayhem,thecaptainoftheteamwhotakesBlissunderherwingasakindofno-holds-barredmentor.“KristenisamazingandIbelievewillgodowninhistoryasoneofourmostimportantfemalecomedians,”saysBarrymore.“Sheisbothcurrentandtimeless,andsheperfectlyembodiesderbyfemininity.Usually,Kristendoesthesereallybroadcomiccharactersbutinfact,she’sverycollectedandhasagreatcarefreequalitythatIwantedtocaptureinthemovie.TherearesomewonderfulscenesbetweenherandEllenwhereshebecomesakindofbigsisterfiguretoBliss.Ontopofthat,sheskatedamazingly.”

Next,toplayIronMaven,Bliss’snemesisandthenotoriouscaptainoftheHurlScouts’biggestrivals,TheHolyRollers,BarrymorecastAcademyAwardnomineeJulietteLewis.Knownforherincrediblediversity,LewishasworkedwithdirectorsrangingfromMartinScorsesetoWoodyAllenbutwasthrilledtojoinBarrymoreforherdirectingdebut.“Julietteatethisroleup,”saysBarrymore.“Asadirector,Ihadsomuchfunworkingwithherbecausesheisgameforanything.Sheissoself-possessedandacrowdpleaserandthat’swhatIronMavenis.ButIronMavenalsohasanundercurrentofaquietlongingthatJuliettereallyunderstood.”

Lewislovedhercharacter’sferociouslycompetitivelove-haterelationshipwithBliss.“It’saclassiccaseofyouthversusexperience,”saysLewis.“IronMavenisnearingtheendofherderbycareerandshe’snotabouttoletthisyoungpupcomeinandtakeherthrone.Andyet,underlyingthatistherealitythatMaventrulyadmiresBlissbecauseofheryouthfulexuberanceandthehungershehas.”

Shecontinues:“I’mnotoneforplayingclichés.IliketodothingsprettyhonestsoItriedtogiveIronMavensomecomplicationsandsomehumanity.Mavenmightbetheclassicbadguyinourtalebutshe’sgotadeeploveandrespectforheropponent.”

Lewis,too,becameahugefanofthefictionalBliss,whichisabigpartofwhatinspiredhertothrowherselfintotheproject,bruisesandall.“IthinkBlissisinallofus,”Lewissummarizes.“She’stheadolescenceweallhad,withthatfireandyearningforsomethingmore.Thenshestepsintotheroller-derbyworldandchannelsthatrebellionandenergyinsuchapositiveway.Forher,it’slikerunningawayandjoiningthecircus.Ithinkwe’dallwanttodoitifwecould.”

Meanwhile,asthecastgrew,BarrymoreherselftookontheroleofHurlScout’sSmashleySimpson.“Iselfishlywantedtoplaythischaracterwhoisabitofadichotomy:half-hippie,half-chick-with-anger-issues.Ikindofidentifywiththat,”shelaughs.“Thereisapartofmethatistotallylaidbackandeverythingisgreat.Thenthere’sapartofmethatreallyenjoysaction.”

Nextinlinewasthemulti-platinumGrammyAwardwinningsinger-actorEvewhowascastasRosaSparks.“Evewasperfectforthisrole,”saysBarrymore“becausesheisalsoawomanwho,onherownterms,inherownway,hasmadeabeautifulsuccessofherself.Sheisacool,toughchickwithasweetsoftness.Andwhenshebeganskating,shewassotentative,itwasawesometowatchhergrow.Withdeterminationandnerve,bythethirdweekshewasjustcrashingintoeverything!”

Evesays:“WhatIloveaboutthisstoryitisthatitbringsacoming-of-agedramaandasportsmovieandafuncomedytogetherinagreatway.Andwomen’srollerderby-howamazingisthat?”Still,sheadmitsshehadherdoubts.“I’mnotthemostathleticpersonintheworld,sothiswasachallenge,”shesays.“ButIwassurroundedbywomenwithsomuchpersonalityanddetermination,youjusthavetoembraceit.Youcan’tbeawuss.”

OfalltheactorscastinWHIPIT,onewouldhaveanadvantagewhenitcametothephysicaltraining-accomplishedformerstuntwomanZoëBell,whotakesonthepartofBloodyHolly,aHurlScoutblockerwhoknowsnofear.BarrymoreadmitsthatshestandsinaweofBell.“Shesurfs,sheskates,sheridesamotorcycle,shedoesitallandwithtotalfocusanddetermination.Atthesametime,shemakesiteffortlessandfunforeveryonearoundher.Shewasdoingcartwheelsonrollerskatesinweektwoofourtraining.Sheistotallythecoolest.”

Bell,whowonthreesecond-placefinishesintheNewZealandGymnasticsNationalsasayounggirl,relatedtoBliss’sstory.“Ithinkmanywomenwillidentifywiththesecharacters’feelingsofnotquiteknowingwhereyoufitinandthatsenseofreliefwhenyoudofindyourplace,”shesays.“Blissloveshermomandherbestfriend,butwhenyoufindsomethingyoureallyloveinlife,there’sarealsenseoffindingahomeyoudidn’tknowyouhad.Itgivesmegoosebumpsjusttotalkaboutit!”

AnotherHurlScouts’rival-EvaDestruction,theCaptainoftheformidableBlackWidows-isplayedbyrisingstarAriGraynor,whostarsontelevision’s“Fringe”andappearedinANAMERICANCRIMEwithEllenPageandNICKANDNORAH’SINFINITEPLAYLIST.“Ilovedthisscriptfromtheget-go,”saysGraynor.“Itseemedlikethemostfunyoucouldhave.Plus,it’sraretofindamoviethathassomanystrongfemaleroles.Thebestpartformewastheamazingcamaraderie.Ascompetitiveasderbygirlsare,theymaketheseincrediblefriendships.”

AlsosupportingtheHurlScoutsisthelonemalepresenceontheteam:theirweary,all-too-oft-ignoredcoach,Brian“Razor”McGeewhowillnever,evergiveuponthem.Toplaytheroleoftheshort-shorts-sportingvoiceofinspiration,BarrymorechoseAndrewWilson,withwhomshehasstarredinNEVERBEENKISSED,FEVERPITCHandbothCHARLIESANGELSfilms.“Razorsortofremindedmeofmydadinthesixtiesandseventies,”explainsBarrymore.“IwasobsessedwiththischaracterandthoughtofhimastheBeachBoysmeetsmyfathermeetsDAZEDANDCONFUSED.I’veknownAndrewforovertenyearsandIdon’tliketomakeamoviewithouthim.He’sbrilliantatimprovisationandhewilltryanythingyouthrowathimsoIknewhewouldcomeupwithsomethingwonderful.”

WilsonwasamusedbyRazor’sdilemmas.“TheproblemforRazoristhathetakesrollerderbyentirelytooseriously,”saysWilson.“Andthegirlsdon’ttakehimhalfasseriouslyashetakeshimselfandthatcreatestrouble!Ireallygetakickoutofmycharacter-whichisdescribedatonepointashavingbeen‘raisedbyapackofwildmullets.’Razorisfunnybuthe’salsoverypassionate.”

Anotherunforgettablepresenceattheskatingarenaistherollerderby’ssarcasticallyslickMC,JohnnyRocket,AKA“HotTubJohnny,”playedbycomicstarJimmyFallon,whopremiered“LateNightWithJimmyFallon”inMarchandpreviouslyco-starredwithBarrymoreinFEVERPITCH.SaysBarrymore,“HotTubJohnnystandsintheinfieldoftherinkandisyourtourguidetoderby.Jimmywasperfectforthisrole.Heisamasterofimprovinthemostfunanddeliciousway.”

Fallonsaysthathehadablast.“Itwassomuchfunbeinginfrontofaliveaudiencewithanold-fashionedpull-downmicrophone,callingouttheskatingactionandthrowinginsomebadjokes,”hesays.“Meetingtherealderbygirlswasalsointeresting.Eachoneofthemhasheridiosyncrasiesbuttheyalsohavegreatcamaraderie.There’satightbondandthemoviereallycapturesthat.”

ForgingthatkindofbondwascentraltoBarrymore’sapproach.“Ithinkifyoucreateanenvironmentwhereeveryoneisinittogether,withasenseoffunandinspiration,peoplewillpushoneanotherandtakerisks,”saysthedirector.“Therewasamixeverydayofdrama,comedy,emotionandlove-allthethingswereallyexperienceinlife-andIhopethat’swhatcomesacrossonfilm.”

BESTFRIENDSFIRSTKISSES

WhenBlissbeginssneakingofftoAustinforHurlScouts’practice,thingsslowlybegintounravelbackinBodeen,startingwithbestfriendPash,whohasherowndreamsofescapingthesmalltown.

PlayingPashisAliaShawkat,bestknownforheracclaimedroleontelevision’s“ArrestedDevelopment.”BarrymorechoseherforthewaysheandPageplayedoffeachotherwithperfectease.“Chemistryissoimportant,”saysBarrymore“andwhenwedidthescreentestwithAliaandEllen,itwascompletelythere.Aliahasgreatrange-shecanbeseriousandfunny,anoldersisterfiguretoBlissandabitofawisecracker.Shehasapersonalstylethatyoucan’tfake.”

Shawkatwasattractedtotheprojectbecauseitwassocompletelydifferentfromeveryothercoming-of-agestoryshe’dseen.“They’rerarelyfromagirl’sperspective-andespeciallynotagirlwhogoesintosucharoughandtumbleworld,”shemuses.“Thecharactersinthismoviearestrongandindependentandjustastoughandsmartasanyboy.”

ShealsofoundherselfadoringPash.“She’sthefriendwhoallowsBlisstobeherself,”saysShawkat.“Yet,theirgoalsaredifferent.Pashmightbealternativeinherdressandlikepopmusic,butsheisalsodeterminedtogetintoanIvyLeaguecollege.ShelovesBlissbutsheknowswhatshewants,andshe’snotlettinganythinggetinherway.She’sstrong-headed,stubbornandverysmart.”

Still,whenBlissbecomeswrappedupinthederbyworld,Pashfeelsshe’sbeingleftbehind-quiteliterally.“Pashfeelslikeshe’slosingherbestfriend,theonepersonintheworldshe’sconnectedto.SheunderstandsthatBlissneedssomethingtogiveherselfoverto,butsheisnotwillingtoriskeverythingforher,”saysShawkat.“Luckily,EllenandIjusthadaconnectionthatwasreallynaturalandshe’ssogenuine-shedoesn’tsayanythingwithoutreallymeaningit-sothatmadeiteasy.”

AsBlissfindsnewfriendsinAustin,shealsofindssomethingelse-Oliver-anindie-music-lovingleadsingerwithathingforderbygirls.OliverisplayedbyreallifeNashvillemusicianLandonPigg,whowassorealthatBarrymorewasinstantlywonover

MendelandBarrymorehadtalkedfromthebeginningabouttryingtofindarealmusiciantoplaythepart.“Mypointwasthatnomatterwhat,whenyouseeanactorplayingamusicianinamovie,especiallywhentheyhavetoplaymusic,nomatterhowgoodanactortheyare,youknowit’sfake,andthespellisbroken,”saidMendel.

“Isaid,nomatterwhat,IdidnotwantanactorforOliver;Iwantedarealmusicianbecauseactorsandmusiciansaretotallydifferent,”shenotes.“Iwentonanationwidesearchforamusicianwho’dneveractedbefore,whocouldcreateasongforthefilmandreallyplayitinthemovie,andthat’showIdiscoveredLandon.Iknewimmediatelyhewastheone.Weworkedverycloselytogetheranditwasoneofthebestrelationshipsformeinthemovie.Hebroughtsomanyelementstotheroleandwroteafantasticsongcalled‘HighTimes.’Hepossessessomethingfreshandunique.”

PiggunderstoodexactlywhyOliverfallsforBliss,despitebeingsurroundedbyAustinhipsters.“There’ssomethingjustalittleoff,atinybitdifferentaboutBliss.She’squietyetalsostrangelymoreconfidentthanOliver.There’satensionthereandOliverisdrawntothat,”heexplains.“Then,heshowshersomeofhisfavouritemusic,whichisasecretcode.Itsayssomuchandsurpassesmultipleconversationsthatmightbehad.Oliverisinlovewithherresponsesandthingstakeofffromthere.She’sfullofcontradictionsandhejustwantstogoalongfortheride.”

EvenifBlissisn’tquitesureifshecantrustOliver,PiggsaysthatOliverisn’tnecessarilywhatheappearstobe.“Hemightlooklikethetypicalbandperson-heplaystherightmusic,he’sgotthehairstyle,he’skindofcool-buthedeflatesthemusicianstereotype.Hemightlooklikethekindofguywho’shavingflingsontheroadallthetime,butactuallyOliverdoesn’tliketorushintothings.HefeelsliketheroadofgettingtoknowBlissisalongoneandhe’sinspiredtotakethatjourney.”

SKATEAWAY:THETRAINING

DrewBarrymoreputtogetheratalented,gung-hocastbut,naturally,fewhadanyrollerderbyexperience,andsomehadneverevenbeenonfourwheels.Sothefirstorderofbusinesswasgettingdowntotraining.Everyonehadtopreparethemselvesforwhatwasahead.

“It’sachallengeonyournerveshavingyouractressesinvolvedinsucharoughsportrightatthebeginningofproduction,”confessesBarryMendel.“Itwassuperintense.ButitwasalsoexhilaratingtoseeEllenPagejumpoveroneofthegirlsortoseeJulietteLewiswhizzingfullspeedaheadaroundthetrackorDrewcheckingsomeoneandbeatingthemup.Iwasreallyproudbecauseallthetrainingtheydidpaidoff.”

Tooverseethattraining,BarrymorerecruitedAlexCohen,whobydayworksasareporterforNPR,butbynightskatesasAxelsofEvilwiththeLA.DerbyDolls.CohenworkedmostintensivelywithEllenPage,sinceBliss’sjourneyfromnewbietofledglingstarhadtobecompletelybelievable.“Ellentrainedthelongestandthehardest,”saysBarrymore.“Bytheend,shewasreallyabletoopenupandfly.There’samomentwhereBlisshastojumpothergirlsthathavecrashedontothetrack.Atfirst,wetalkedaboutusingwiresbutshetrainedforthatjumpmonthaftermonthaftermonth.Whenitcamedowntoit,shediditherself,andclearedthosegirlsbytwofeet.Itwasinsane.”

Pagerecallsofherfirstmeetingwiththetrainer:“IaskedAxelshowintheworldIwasgoingtobeabletodothisandsheassuredmethatwewouldgetthere.Shewassogoodatbreakingitdownandexplainingeverylittledetailthatitallstartedtocometogether.”SaysCohenofPage:“Whensheskates,Ellenalwayshasalookofcompleteconfidenceandstrength.She’sascrappylittleskater-andI’mhopingwecanpersuadeherthatsheneedsanewcareerasamemberoftheLA.DerbyDolls.”

Soon,therollerbootcampwasexpandedtoincludetherestofthecast,whichinvolvedamonthofmultipletracksessionsdailyandawholeregimenofyoga,stretchingandplyometrics.“Wetrainedsixdaysaweek,”notesBarrymore,“whichmadeusgoodenoughskatersthatwecoulddoourownstunts.It’salltherealcastinthemessjammingorbeingtossed.Plus,itbondedeveryonesothefriendshipsyouseeonthescreenarereal.Thatexperienceissocrucialtoafilmlikethis.”

Thetrainingpushedeveryonetoplacestheydidn’tknowtheycouldgo.“It’sterrifyingwhenyou’reskatingatfullspeed,”confessesBarrymore,“nottomentionthatyoualsohaveblisters,bruisesandyourbonesandhipsaresosorethatyoucanbarelymove.Imean,wehadcartoonstarsandbirdsflyingaroundourheadswehitsohard.Butyoudiscoverthatyoucanjustgetupandgoatitagain.Yougofrom‘whoa,I’mnotsureifIwanttodothis’to‘youbetI’mgoingtodothis.’”

AlexCohenwasimpressedwithhowtheentirecastdrovethemselvesharderandharder.“Skatingonabankedtrackisreallyhard,evenifyou’reagoodskater.You’reskatingatananglewhileyou’relookingoutforpeoplewhoaretryingtoknockyouonyourbutt.It’slikeathree-ringcircusgoingoninyourhead,”shesays.“Yeteveryoneofouractresseswascompletelydeterminedandfoundaskillshecoulddoreallywell.Eachofthemhastakenseriousspillsbutratherthensaying‘I’moutofhere,’theyhavegottenrightbackupandkeptskating.Andthatmakesmereally,reallyproud.”

Sheadds:“Drewwasalwaysdedicatedtomakingsurethatalltherollerderbystuffyouseeinthefilmisgenuine.She’smadesurethateverything,evenherownskating,wasexactlyright.Ilovedwatchingherdirectonherskates.Shewouldliterallyjumpovertherailandrollaroundinbetweentheextrasandcameracrew.Theskatesbecameanextensionofherfeet,whichwasourgoalallalong.It’sanamazingfeatandsheshouldgetextrapointsforthat.”

StuntCo-ordinator/2ndUnitDirectorJeffDashnaw(FINALDESTINATION,GRINDHOUSE)alsowasinvolvedwiththeskatetraining.HewasevenmoreamazedthanAlexathowquicklythecastbecamecommittedtothesport.“WhenwewerestillinLosAngeles,Isawsomeofthegirlsskateforthefirsttime,”herecalls,“andIsaid‘youguysarenuts.Thiswillneverwork.’InowseehowwrongIwas.Itwasquiteanaccomplishment.KristenWiigandAriGraynor,forexample,hadneverbeenonskates.Ellen,whoisnowphenomenal,hadn’tskatedsinceshewasachild.Ithoughtwewereinbigtrouble,buttheypulleditoff.”

Thecastwasperhapsevenmoreupliftedbytheirachievements.RecallsEve,“Ihadn’tbeenonapairofskatessinceIwastwelveorthirteen.MyfirsttwodaysoftrainingIkeptsaying‘whydidIagreetodothismovie?I’mnevergoingtobegoodonskates.’NowIthinkI’mabitaddicted.”AddsJulietteLewis:“I’veneverbeenmorefitorhealthyinmylife.IhadskatedwhenIwasakidbutthistrainingprocesswasawesome.Iwon’tevenpretendthatIcouldplayderbyforrealbutweweresoproudofourbruisesweputuppicturesinourtrailers.”

THEMUSIC

MusichasalwaysbeenahugepartofBarrymore’slifeandshewantedastrongmusicalpresenceinthefilm,“Musicgrabsyouandputsyouinthatmood.Mixthatwithfilmandit’sverypowerful”,saysBarrymore.WhipIt,whichhasover75musiccuesthroughoutthefilm,bringstogethereverythingfromclassicpunkrocktohiphop.RhinoRecordswillreleasetheWhipItsoundtrackthisSeptember.

Barrymorealsodecidedthatclassiccomposingwasn’tkeepingwiththetoneofthefilm.SheenlistedTheSectionQuartet,aLosAngelesbasedgroupthatcallsthemselves“theloudeststringquartetontheplanet.”TheSectionQuartetdoesnotplayclassical,theyonlyplayrockandrollandhavesoldoutshowsinDublin,NewYorkandLosAngeles.

THEWHEELWORLD:THEDESIGN

ThelookofWHIPITgoesfromruralhometowntothestreetsofAustin,asBlissjourneysfromthepageantworldtothetotallyoppositederbyworld,throughastormofcolourfulemotionsandsituations.Fromthebeginning,DrewBarrymorehadavisionforhowshewantedtovisuallybringthefullspectrumofBliss’sexperiencestolifeonthescreen.“ThereweresomanydifferentstylesthatIwantedthisfilmtohave,”saysBarrymore.“Itwassortofagreedyvision.Ilovecomedy.IloveactionandIlovehumandramabecausewehaveallthatinlife,andIwantedtomixallofthosetogether.”

SheandMendelputhervisionintoactionbypullingtogetherarock-solidcreativeteam,includingcinematographerBobYeoman,OscarnominatededitorDylanTichenorandmusicsupervisorRandyPoster,allofwhomMendelhadmademultiplemovieswithaswellasproductiondesignerKevinKavanaughandKILLBILLcostumedesignerCatThomas,withwhomBarrymorehadrecentlyworked.

Yeoman---whoisknownfortakingonstrongthematicstories,rangingfromGusVanSant’sDRUGSTORECOWBOYandallofWesAnderson’sfilms-wasimmediatelyimpressedwithBarrymore’spreparation.“Drewhadlotsofvisualideas.Shehadputtogetherabookofphotosforeachscene,whichwasourstartingpoint.Wethenplayedwithdifferentprocessingandbegantoestablishalookforthefilm,”hesays.“BasedonthewayshedescribedwhatshewaslookingforIthoughtofJohnHuston’sFATCITYwhichwasshotbyConradHall.Drewwatcheditandloveditsoweusedthatasareference.Thisisalsoamoviewithalotofwomensohavingouractresseslookgooddictatedalotofmylighting.Wewantedcontrastwithoutharshness.”

Thebiggestchallengeslayahead,however,asYeomanhadtorelyonsheeringenuitytocomeupwithcreativewaystocapturethevisceral,hard-hittingintensityofrollerderby-fromaskater’sinsideperspective.“Thegirlsmoveveryquicklyandmyconcernwashowtoshootwithoutacameramovingquicklyaroundthetrack,”heexplains.“Wedidn’twanttousearegularATVwithacameramountbecausethey’regaspoweredanditwouldspewfumesintotheskaters’face.Ithoughtofabicyclebutitwasn’t’fastenough.Wefinallyfoundaperfectelectriccartmodifiedforfilmuse.”

Yeomanoftenshotwiththreecamerassimultaneously,grabbingalltheperspectivesBarrymorewasafter.“Wehadoneofourstuntmenholdthecameraonhischestandskatewiththegirlssoyougetabird’seyeviewofwhatit’sliketobeinthepack.Wealsohavedollyshotswhereyoutravelforalongtimeandit’sverysmoothandgliding,”saysBarrymore.”Ialsoreallyliketheroughandtumbleofhand-heldandBoboperatedthecamerahimselfforsomeawesomehand-heldshots.Imostlywantedtokeepitold-schoolandtraditionalbecausethosearethekindsoffilmsthatgrowingupmademewanttodirect.”

TodesigntheworldthatYeomancaptured,Barrymorewaslookingforsomeonewithafreshperspective.ShefoundthatinKevinKavanaugh,whomakeshisproductiondesignerdebutwithWHIPIT,buthasservedasanartdirectoronprojectsincludingTHEDARKKNIGHTandTRANSFORMERS.“Drewwantedsomeonewithacleaneye,”Kavanaughnotes.“Wetalkedalotaboutthetwostoriesinthefilm,thecontrastbetweenthebeautypageantsBlissentersforhermomandtherollerderbyworldwhereshefitsin.Wedidn’twanttomakefunofthebeautypageantsormakethemwildlyoverthetopsowekeptthatsimple.Thederbyworldismorepunkrockandunderground,butwhatinterestedmeistheirparallels.They’rebothaboutcostumesandbeingonstageanddevelopingapersona.”

KavanaughcreatedthederbywarehouseutilizinganactualderbybankedtrackatanemptyMonarchSteelCompanywarehouseinDetroit.Themassivebuildinghousednotonlytherinkbutthelockerroomset,allthetrailers,thecateringtentandtheentirebasecamp.HealsosearchedMichiganforalocalethatcouldstandinfortheverySouthernOinkJoint.“IknewIwouldonlyfindwhatwewantedonacountryhighway,soIscouredeveryoneinthearea.Ifinallydrovebya50scarhopdinercalledKen’s.Abandonedforyears,tomeitwasanopencanvas.Itwasonadesolateroad,hadahugeparkinglotandDrewthoughtitwasperfect.”

Tohelpgivethebuildinganewlife,Kavanaughhadanenormouspinkpighand-sculptedfromfoamthenplasteredoverandhauledinfromLosAngeles.Sittingatopthedinerat12’highx16’longx7’wide,thelarger-than-lifeoinkerregularlycausedtrafficalonghighway83tocometoascreechinghalt.

Meanwhile,costumedesignerCatThomas(APRAIRIEHOMECOMPANION,KILLBILL),whohadrecentlydesignedtheeccentriccostumesforGREYGARDENS,inwhichBarrymorestarred,wasalsoworkingonturningheadswithhermixofTexasthriftstoreoutfits,pageantgownsandauthenticderbyuniforms.

Knowingherworkwouldbekeytobridgingthefilm’sdifferentworlds,Thomasfirsthadtolearnaboutthehistoryofrollerderbyanditsmyriadlocally-grownstyles.“Idiscoveredthattherearesomanysubtledifferencesbetweenregionsandbetweenflattrackvs.bankedtrack,Ihadtosoakitallin.Thentherewasthepageantworld,whichIwasmorefamiliarwithandknewhowIwantedtoaddressit.Finally,thereisthecoming-of-agestoryinvolvingBliss’sentirefamily,whichtomeisthemostbeautifulpartofit.Combiningallthreesothattheyarevisuallylinkedwastheunderlyingchallenge.”

Furtherresearch,tookThomasintotheheartoftheAustinhipsterscenes.“AustinhipstersaredifferentfromLosAngeleshipstersandfromNewYorkhipsters.It’sacrazycombinationof‘anythinggoes’withasouthernTexasvibe.There’slotsofvintageclothingandthehugeamountofmusictobefoundthereinfluencesthewaypeopledress.ThekidsinAustinhavegreatstyle,”shesays.

Whenitcametothederbycostumes,Thomashadherworkcutoutforher.“Drewwantedtheskaterstobesuperheroes,buttostillhaveasenseofreality,”sheexplains.“Eachteamhastheirownindividualpaletteandweusedalotofcolourandtriednottorestrictourselvestoomuch.Someoftheteamuniformsareinspiredbyactualteams,liketheHolyRollers.Butwelookedatwhattheyworeandtweakeditabit.TheHurlScoutsuniformswecompletelyinventedforthefilm.Forthe‘FightAttendants’weincorporatea60svibeandthe‘BlackWidows’areverysuperherolooking-withtheirstrippeddownoutfitsthatstartedasbathingsuits.Asinarealderby,wehadgirlsrangingfromsize0to22.It’swhatissobeautifulaboutthatworld,Ithasaplaceforeverybody,nomattersizeorshape.”

Thomaspaidparticularattentiontoanotheraspectofrollerderbystyle:tattoos.“Bodyadornmentissuchabadgeofhonourinthatworldthatwejusthadtoincludeitonourcast,”shesays.

Alongtheway,Thomasbegantorealizethatshewasinacompletelyuniquesituation,designingclothingprimarilyforapowerful,athleticfemalecast.“Thismoviewasanamazingopportunitytoworkwithagroupofstrong,brilliantandcreativewomen-fromthedirectortothecasttothecrew.Itwasincredibletohavethatmanystrongwomenandnothaveanypersonalityconflicts!”

ScreenwriterShaunaCrosssaysthatitwasBarrymore’sleadershipthatallowedtheproduction’scacophonyofideas,personalitiesandvoicestoallcometogetherinsuchacreativelyboisterousandpositiveway.“Drewhasthiscertainjoyofspiritthatpermeateseverythingshedoes.She’sagreatcheerleaderand,whiletruetowhatIwrote,shealsomadethisstoryhers.Really,she’stheperfectpersontorepresentthestronggirlvibesandpositiveenergyofthisstory,”Crosssumsup.“Ithinkweallfeltbothproudofherandinspiredbyher.”

#####

ROLLERDERBY101:RULESANDLINGO

Everyoneknowsthebasicsofrollerderby-skatersinwildoutfits,fishnetstockingsandchin-straphelmetsroundanovaltrackatafreneticpacebashingintoeachother.Butthere’smuchmoretoitthanthat.DerbyrulescanvaryfromleaguetoleaguebutherearetherulestheHurlScoutslearned:

Rollerderbyisarace.Oneskater-knownasaJAMMER-mustgetthroughthepackandpassallofheropponentsinordertoscorepoints.Foreveryopponentajammerpasses,shescoresonepoint.Ifthejammercan’tgetpastheropponentstheteamscoresnopointsatall.Jammersreceiveadditionalpointsforlappingtheotherteam’sjammer.

Teamsaremadeupof5skaters.Inadditiontothejammer,eachteamalsohasapivotand3additionalblockers.ThePIVOT’sjobistokeeptrackoftheteam’sjammer,calloutplaysandsignaltheblockerstospeeduporslowdowninherdefence.TheBLOCKERShavethehigh-adrenalinetaskofkeepingtheopposingteam’sjammersfrompassingthemandscoring.

BlockersskatetogetherinaPACK.

Thejammerhas60secondstoscore-thistimeperiodisknownasaJAM.Eachgame,knowninrollerderbyasaBOUT,hastwo12-minuteperiods.TheleadjammercanCALLOFFTHEJAMatanytimebyputtingherhandsonherhips.

Fullbodycontact,suchasHIP-CHECKING,isallowedinblockingbutplayerscannotgrab,yankortriponeanother.Theymustkeeptheirarmsbentandmaynotuseanypartofthearmbelowtheelbow.Playerswhofoulanotherplayergetapenaltyofoneminute.Severefoulscanresultinthelossofaplayer.

BlockerscanalsoASSISTjammerswithmovieslikeTHEWHIP,inwhichablockergrabsajammer’sarmandpushesherforwardwithmomentum,orTHETRUCK-AND-TRAILER,inwhichteam-matesskate,withone(thetruck)pullingtheother(thetrailer)frombehind.

Thekeytorollerderbyisnotjustskillbutstrategyand,asinfootballorbasketball,smartplayscantaketheotherteambysurprise.

AndsomeotherfactsaboutRollerDerby

Despitetherules,anddespiteprotectiveequipmentincludingmouthguards,helmets,kneepadsandelbowpads,rollerderbyfightsandfoulsdohappenandinjuriesarecommon-rangingfromthesport-specific“FISHNETBURN”andbruisestobrokenbonesandconcussions.

Mostamateurrollerderbyleagueswelcomenewrecruits,eventhosewhohaven’tskatedinyearsoratall,andprovidetraining.Players,whocomefromallbackgrounds-fromlawyerstonursestostay-at-homemoms-learnhowtoskateathighspeeds,dodgeobstacles,fallwithoutinjuryandjumponmovingskates

Therearenowmorethan400amateurrollerderbyleaguesworldwide...andcounting...

######ABOUTTHECAST

ELLENPAGE(BlissCavendar)hasfirmlyestablishedherselfasoneofthemosttalentedyoungactressesinHollywoodtoday.In2008shereceivedBestActressnominationsfromtheOscar's,BAFTA,GoldenGlobeandSAGandwonanIndependentSpiritAwardforherroleinJUNO.

EllenwillsoonappearinMichaelLander'sindependentfilmPEACOCKstarringCillianMurphy,SusanSarandonandBillPullman.

ElleniscurrentlyinproductiononChristopherNolan'sINCEPTIONoppositeLeonardoDiCaprio,JosephGordon-Levitt,MarionCotillard,andKenWatanabe.

EllenistheheartofJasonReitman'shitcomedyJUNO,writtenbyDiabloCody.Thefilmisaboutanoffbeatteenager(Page)whofindsherselfunexpectedlypregnantandmakesasurprisingdecisionregardingherunbornchild.The film also stars Olivia Thirlby, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, JK Simmons,MichaelCeraandAllisonJanney.CodywontheOscarforBestScreenplayforthefilm.

In2006,Ellenappearedas“KittyPryde”inthethirdinstallationoftheX-Menfranchise:X-MEN:THELASTSTAND,whichgrossedmorethan$230milliondollarsworldwide.EllenrecentlystarredinthetitleroleofBruceMcDonald'sTHETRACEYFRAGMENTS.ShestarredoppositeCatherineKeenerinANAMERICANCRIME,writtenanddirectedbyTommyO'Haver.Thefilmisbasedonthehorrifyingandtrueeventssurroundingadisturbedmotherandherchildrenin1960'sIndiana.OtherrecentcreditsincludetheCanadianensemblepiece,THESTONEANGELfeaturingEllenBurstynanddirectedbyKariSkogland;AlisonMurray'sMOUTHTOMOUTH;DanielMacIvor'sensemblepieceWILBYWONDERFULandSMARTPEOPLE,oppositeDennisQuaid,SarahJessicaParkerandThomasHadenChurch.

AstheleadinLionsgate's2005independentfeature,HARDCANDY,directedbyDavidSlade,EllenwongreatpraiseforhertourdeforceperformanceasafourteenyearoldgirlwhomeetsathirtyyearoldphotographerontheInternetandthenlookstoexposehimasapaedophile.Thefilmco-starringPatrickWilsonandSandraOhpremieredatthe2005SundanceFilmFestival.

AnativeofHalifax,NovaScotia,EllenhaslongbeenafixtureinCanadiantelevisionandcinema.Shebeganhercareerattheageof10ontheaward-winningtelevisionmovie“PitPony”andreceivedaGemininominationforBestPerformanceinaChildren'sProgramandaYoungArtistAwardsnominationforBestPerformanceinaTVDramaSeries.Twofilmslater,Pageappearedas“Joanie”inMARIONBRIDGE,winnerofthe“BestCanadianFirstFeature”attheTorontoInternationalFilmFestival.ThepartwonPageanACTRAMaritimesAwardforOutstandingFemalePerformance.ShealsoappearedintheculthitTVseries“TrailerParkBoys.”PagewonaGeminiawardforherroleof“Lilith”inthefirstseasonof“ReGenesis,”aone-hourdramaforTMN/MovieCentral.Shealsostarredin“MrsAshboro'sCat,”acablefeatureforTheMovieNetworkforwhichshealsowonaGeminiAwardforBestPerformanceinaChildren'sorYouthProgramorSeries.

Award-winningactressMARCIAGAYHARDEN(BrookeCavendar)hasforgedaremarkablebodyofwork,alwaysstayingtruetoherchameleonstyleof“becomingthecharacter.”Hercharacterportraitshavebeendescribedbycriticsas“searing”,“heartbreaking”,“inventive”,“pureandprofanesimultaneously”,“astonishing”,“authentic”,and“sensuous”.FromtheglamorousAvaGardnerinSINATRA,totheartistLeeKrasnerinPOLLOCK(forwhichshewonBestSupportingActressOscar),tothedownandoutCeceliainMYSTICRIVER(anotherAcademyAwardnomination)Marciahascreatedasignaturestylebasedincharactertransformation.Herversatilityandwide-rangehavebeenpraisedinsuchfilmsasMILLERSCROSSING,THEFIRSTWIVESCLUB,MEETJOEBLACK,MONALISASMILE,THEHOAXandUSEDPEOPLE.

MarciahaschosenalifeawayfrommainstreamHollywood,crossingbetweenindependentandstudiofilms,andtelevisionandtheatre.SherecentlygarneredaBestActressTonyAwardforherstarringroleintheTonyAwardwinningBroadwayplayGodofCarnage.Hernominatedco-starsintheplayincludeJamesGandolfini,HopeDavisandJeffDaniels.Additionally,shereceivedanOuterCircleCriticsAwardforherperformance,aswellasnominationsfromtheDramaDeskandDramaLeague.ShewasrecentlynominatedforanEmmyAwardforOutstandingSupportingActressinaMiniseriesorMovieforherrolein“TheCourageousHeartofIrenaSendler.”OthernominationsincludeaTonynominationforTonyKushner’sAngelsinAmerica(forwhichshewontheDramaDeskandTheatreWorldAwards),anEmmynominationforherguestappearanceon“LawandOrder:SVU,”alsoanIndependentSpiritAwardnominationforAMERICANGUN.

Marcia’smostrecentfilmsincludeCANVAS,RAILSANDTIES,StephenKing’sTHEMIST(forwhichshewonaSaturnAward,)SeanPenn’sINTOTHEWILD,andTHECHRISTMASCOTTAGEwithPeterO’Toole.Nextup,MarciastarsthecomedyTHEMAIDENHEISTwithWilliamHMacy,MorganFreeman,andChristopherWalken.OnthetelevisionfrontMarciaco-starredinthecriticallyacclaimedFXdrama“Damages”oppositeWilliamHurtandGlennClose.

MarciagraduatedfromtheUniversityofTexaswithaBA.inTheatreandanMFAfromtheGraduateActingprogramatNewYorkUniversity.SheresidesinHarlemwithherhusbandandthreechildren.

KRISTENWIIG(MaggieMayhem),acomedicstarofbornfromthe“SaturdayNightLive”stage,hasbecomeoneofthemostsoughtaftertalentsinfilmandtelevisiontoday.KnownforsuchmemorablecharactersastheexcitableTargetClerk,thehilariousone-upperPenelope,HouseSpeakerNancyPelosi,andSuzeOrman,amongothers,Kristenwillbereturningforherfifthseasonof“SaturdayNightLive”thiscomingfall.

KristenmadeherbigscreendebuttouniversallyhighpraiseinJuddApatow’ssmash-hitcomedyKNOCKEDUPasKatherineHeigl’spassive-aggressiveboss.ShealsoplayedoppositeJohnCReillyinJakeKasdan’sWALKHARD,anotherApatow-producedfilm,andoppositeRickyGervaisinDavidKeopp’sGHOSTTOWN.Mostrecently,KristenappearedoppositeRyanReynoldsinGregMottola’sADVENTURELAND.

AnativeofRochester,NewYork,KristenworkedasaMainCompanyMemberoftheLosAngeles-basedimprove/sketchcomedytroupeTheGroundlings.ShejoinstheranksofSNLcastmatesMayaRudolph,WillFerrell,PhilHartmanandJonLovitz,alsoGroundlingsalumni.

Kristen’supcomingfilmsinclude:MikeJudge’sEXTRACT,co-starringJasonBateman,BenAffleckandMilaKunis;GregMottola’sPAUL,co-starringSethRogan,JasonBateman,JaneLynch,andBillHader;MACGRUBERoppositefellowSNLcastmemberWillForte;andherfirstpurelydramaticroleoppositeRyanGosling,KirstenDunstandFrankLangellainAndrewJarecki’sALLGOODTHINGS.

WiiglivesinNewYorkCity.

JULIETTELEWIS(IronMaven)isrecognizedasoneofHollywood'smosttalentedandversatileactorsofhergeneration.ShefirststunnedaudiencesandcriticsalikewithherOscar-nominatedperformanceas'DanielleBowden'inCAPEFEAR.Todate,shehasworkedwithsomeofthemostrevereddirectorsintheindustry-MartinScorsese,WoodyAllen,LasseHallström,OliverStoneandGarryMarshall.Whetherlendingdramaticauthenticityoranaturalcomedicflair,Lewisgracesherroleswithremarkablerangeandanoriginalandcaptivatingstyle.

Herextensivefilmographyincludesmanystandoutroles.HighlightsincludeHUSBANDSANDWIVESwithWoodyAllenandJudyDavis,KALIFORNIAwithBradPittandDavidDuchovny,WHAT’SEATINGGILBERTGRAPE?withLeonardoDiCaprioandJohnnyDepp,NATURALBORNKILLERSwithWoodyHarrelsonandRobertDowneyJr,EVENINGSTARwithShirleyMacLaineandJackNicholson,STRANGEDAYSwithRalphFiennesandAngelaBassett,aswellasFROMDUSKTILLDAWNwithGeorgeClooneyandQuentinTarantino.

LewisreceivedbothanEmmyAwardnominationandanIndependentSpiritAwardnominationforherperformanceoppositeUmaThurmaninHBO'sdrama"HystericalBlindness."Setinthe1980's,thestoryfollowedtwosingle,working-classNewJerseywomenonabittersweetquestforloveandmeaning.ShealsoreceivedanEmmynominationforherperformanceinShowtime's"MyLouisianaSky,"acoming-of-agedramasetinruralLouisianaintheearly1950s.

Afterathree-yearhiatusfromfilmtopursueherburgeoningmusiccareerexclusively,Lewisannouncedherreturntoactingwithseveralupcomingmovies.LewisissettoappearinSYMPATHYFORDELICIOUS,co-starringalongsideOrlandoBloom,MarkRuffaloandLauraLinneyandalsotheindie-dramaBETTYANNEWATERS,whichstarsHilarySwank,MelissaLeo,MinnieDriverandSamRockwell.Mostrecently,LewiscompletedworkontheromanticcomedyTHEBASTER,oppositeJenniferAnniston,JasonBatemanandPatrickWilson.

JulietteLewisresidesinLosAngelesandwillbereleasingher3rdstudioalbum,“TerraIncognita”,September1st.

JIMMYFALLON(“HotTub”JohnnyRocket),recentlydebutedontelevisioninhisowntalkshow,“LateNightwithJimmyFallon.”Therenownedcomic’stalentandabilitytodeliverversatile,stand-outperformancesonthescreenhasallowedhimtojointheexclusiveranksasoneofthose“SaturdayNightLive”alumniattheforefrontofadiverseline-upoftelevisionandfilmprojects,whilealwaysstayinggroundedinhisstand-uproots.

FallonisreunitedwithDrewBarrymorewithwhomhestarredintheromanticcomedy,FEVERPITCH,theFarrellybrothers'homagetoBostonRedSoxfanaticism.HemadehisfeaturefilmdebutinCameronCrowe'sALMOSTFAMOUSplayingbandmanager"DennisHope."Amonghisothermotionpicturecreditsare:WoodyAllen’sANYTHINGELSEinwhichheappearedalongsideChristinaRicci;theaction-comedyTAXIinwhichhestarredalongsideQueenLatifahandFACTORYGIRLinwhichhestarredoppositeSiennaMillerandGuyPierce.HewillnextbeseenstarringoppositeLucyLiuandSharonStoneinthenewcomedyTHEYEAROFGETTINGTOKNOWUS,whichpremieredatthe2008SundanceFilmFestival.

Fallonfistgarneredattentionin1998whenhejoinedthecastof“SaturdayNightLive”quicklybecominganaudiencefavouriteforhisimpressionsofJerrySeinfeld,JohnTravolta,AdamSandlerandspot-onmusicalimpressionsofPearlJam,CountingCrows,TheCureandAlanisMorrisette.Falloncreatedmanymemorablerecurringcharacterson“SNL”including"NickBurns"thesarcastictechsupportrepresentativeandBostonteen"Sully"knownforplayingtonsilhockeywith"Zazu"playedbyRachelDratch.In2000,Fallonmadehistorybybecomingtheco-anchorofthepopularsegment"WeekendUpdate"alongsideTinaFey.Duringhissix-yearstinton“SNL,”Fallonventuredoffintoothertelevisionroles,including2ndLieutenantGeorgeRiceinTomHanksandStevenSpielberg's2001Emmyaward-winningminiseries“BandofBrothers.”

AlwaysafavouriteamongtheMTVaudience,FallonhastwicehostedtheMTVMovieAwards™(oncewithKirstenDunst)aswellasthe2002MTVVideoMusicAwards.In2005,FallonparticipatedinCameronDiaz'sMTVeco-friendlytravelshow“Trippin,”wherehetravelledtoAfricatoeducateviewersaboutoneoftheworld'smostuniqueandfragileecosystems.FallonearnedravesasguesthostforDavidLettermanduringthesummerof2003.

ALIASHAWKAT(Pash)SuccessarrivedearlyforAliaShawkat.Hercareerbeganattheyoungageof11whenshelandedaroleontheABCFamilyseries“StateofGrace.”However,sheisbestknownforherroleas‘MaebyFunke’onFox’sEmmyawardwinning“ArrestedDevelopment,”wheresheportrayedarebelliousandmischievousmemberofadysfunctionalOrangeCountyfamilytryingtoadjusttotheirlossofwealth.

ShawkatwillnextbeseeninAMREEKA,afilmaboutaPalestinianfamilywhorelocatestoIllinois.Thefilmpremieredatthe2009SundanceFilmFestivaltoravereviewsandwillbereleasedbyNationalGeographicEntertainmentthisfalltoalimitedaudience.Additionally,sheiscurrentlyinproductiononthebiopicTHERUNAWAYSbasedonthecoming-of-agestoryofthe70’sband‘TheRunaways.’ShewillstaroppositeKristenStewartandDakotaFanninginthefilmwhichissettobereleasednextyear.

ShawkatwasrecentlyseenoppositeWilliamHMacyandCherylHinesinthehigh-schoolcomedyBARTGOTAROOM,whichfirstpremieredattheTribecaFilmFestivalinApril2008.ThefilmcentresonanerdyhighschoolseniorwholivesinaFloridaretirementcommunityandenlistshisbestfriend(Shawkat)inanattempttofindadatetotheprom.Shealsoservedasaproduceronthefilm.Shawkat’sadditionalfilmcreditsincludePROMWARS,REBOUNDoppositeMartinLawrence,theensemblefamilycomedyDECKTHEHALLSwithMatthewBroderick,DannyDeVitoandKristinChenoweth,andTHREEKINGSoppositeGeorgeClooney.

Inadditiontoabustlingfilmcareer,Shawkathasappearedinmanyprojectsonthesmallscreenaswell.SherecentlyhadarecurringroleonUSANetwork’s“StarterWife”withDebraMessing.Sheplayedatroubledteenwhobefriends‘Molly’(Messing)and‘Joan’(JudyDavis)atarehabfacility.HeradditionaltelevisioncreditsalsoincludeastarringroleintheLifetimeoriginalmovie“NotLikeEveryoneElse”andgueststarringroleson“VeronicaMars,”“JAG,”“WithoutaTrace,”“Boomtown,”and“PresidioMed.”

ShawkatwasborninPalmSprings,CAandcurrentlysplitshertimebetweenNewYorkandLA.

EVE(RosaSparks)isadynamicwomanofunparalleledtalent,persistence,andambition,movingwithequalsuccessbetweenmusic,movies,andfashion.ShefirstcollaboratedwithDrewBarrymorewhensheappearedinacameoroleinCHARLIE’SANGELS:FULLTHROTTLE.

ShemadeherscreendebutintheblockbusterfilmXXX,playingVinDiesel’sbestfriendandbusinesspartnerinanundergroundwebsite.TheopportunityledhertostarinnumerousfilmandtelevisionproductionsincludingthefemaleleadinthesmashhitcomediesBARBERSHOP12andinthecriticallyacclaimedTHEWOODSMAN,withKevinBaconandBenjaminBratt.MostrecentlyEveco-starredalongsideDanielCraiginFLASHBACKSOFAFOOLdirectedbyBaillieWalsh.

Ontelevision,sheproducedandstarredinaself-titledsitcomaboutafashiondesigneronUPNandcomingupEvecanbeseenasGraceHitchensinthenewshow“Glee”onFOX.

Amulti-platinum,GrammyAwardwinningartist,thePhiladelphianativeexcelledtonewandunchartedheightsasamulti-mediaiconwithnosignofslowingdown.SherecentlylaunchedaclothinglinecalledFetishonwhichsheiscloselyinvolvedineveryaspectfromthedesignstothemarketing.

In2009,Evewilldebutherhighlyanticipatedalbum“HereIAm,”amorematureandadventurousalbum-andoneshecallsherbestefforttodate.

ZOËBELL(BloodyHolly)starsin“AngelofDeath,”anonlineseriescreatedforCrackle.com,andSonyPicturesEntertainment’sonlinevideonetwork,whichwillconsistoftenepisodes,eachapproximately8-10minuteslong.In“AngelofDeath,”Zoëplaystheleadcharacter,Eve,aremorselessassassin,employedbyaruthlesscrimefamily.Aftersufferingasevereheadtrauma,Evebeginstohallucinate,andbecomeshauntedbyhervictims.Asaresult,herconditiondriveshertoseekrevengeonthosewhoorderedthehitsinthefirstplace-hermobemployers.

Thisfall,ZoëappearsinGAMER,withKyraSedgwickandGerardButler,afilmsetinafuture-worldwherehumanscancontrolotherhumansinmass-scale,multi-playeronlinegamingenvironments..

ZoëisalsosettostarintheupcomingUNTITLEDZOËBELLPROJECTwithSenatorEntertainment.Herrole,asaClubMedemployeebydayandtreasurehunterbynight,nowmarksthethirdstarringrolethatwaswrittenspecificallyforher.

BellmadeherstarringdebutinthehighlyanticipateddoublefeaturefilmGRINDHOUSE,writtenanddirectedbyQuentinTarantinoandRobertRodriguez.Asanestablishedandextremelytalentedstuntwoman,Zoëhasmadeanameforherselfthroughherunparalleleddedication,skillandfocus.Shewashandpicked,byTarantinohimself,tostarinhissegmentofthedoublefeature,DEATHPROOFaboutfourwomenworkingonthemoviesetoftheirfirstbighit.ShestarredoppositeKurtRussellandRosarioDawson.Thefilmcompetedatthe2007CannesFilmFestival.

BellbeganworkingwithTarantinowellbeforeGRINDHOUSEinKILLBILLVOL1andKILLBILLVOL2asUmaThurman’sstuntdoubleintheroleof“TheBride”.Shewasnominatedfor“BestStuntbyaStuntWoman”and“BestFight”attheTaurusWorldStuntAwardsforherworkinKILLBILLVOL1,andtookhomebothofthosewinsthefollowingyearforKILLBILLVOL2.BellalsoshowcasedherstuntingskillsinherroleasSharonStone’sstuntdoubleinCATWOMAN.

Hertalenttranslatedtothesmallscreenontheculttelevisionseries“Xena:WarriorPrincess”whereBellplayedthestuntdoubleforthetitlecharacterLucyLawless.Theever-popularseriesenjoyedasix-yearrunandanunprecedentedfanfollowing.

BellisanativeofNewZealandandcurrentlyresidesinLosAngeles.Itwasbackathomethatshebeganherdiversebackgroundinsports,includingTaeKwonDo,diving,andPADIScuba.Bell’sathleticismearnedherthreesecond-placefinishesintheNewZealandGymnasticsNationalsfrom1989to1991.

ARIGRAYNOR(EvaDestruction)cannextbeseeninMiguelArteta’sYOUTHINREVOLT,inwhichshewillstarwithSteveBuscemi,MichaelCeraandJustinLong.ShehasalsowrappedproductiononHOLYROLLERSoppositeJesseEisenbergandJustinBarthaandBETTYANNEWATERSstarringSamRockwellandHilarySwank,aswellasacameoinShawnLevy’sDATENIGHTwithSteveCarrell.

GraynorwaslastseenstarringoppositeMichaelCeraandKatDenningsinNICKANDNORA’SINFINITEPLAYLIST,whichpremieredatthe2008TorontoInternationalFilmFestival.Heradditionalfilmcreditsincluderolesinthefollowing:ANAMERICANCRIME(SundanceFilmFestival2007)withCatherineKeenerandEllenPage;GAME6(SundanceFilmFestival2005)withMichaelKeatonandRobertDowneyJr;THEGREATNEWWONDERFULwithMaggieGyllenhaal;BEREFT,directedbyTimDalyandClarkMatthias;ChristopherGuest’sFORYOURCONSIDERATION;andBOOKOFLOVE(SundanceFilmFestival2004).HerfeaturefilmdebutwasinClintEastwood’sAcademyAward-winningfilmMYSTICRIVER.

GraynorhasstarredonBroadwaytwice,makingherdebutinDonaldMargulies’BrooklynBoyattheManhattanTheatreClub,whichgarneredhera2005ClarenceDerwentAward.TwoyearslatershestarredinTheLittleDogLaughed,a2007TonyAwardnomineeforBestPlay.Shealsoappearedinthehitoff-BroadwayplayDogSeesGod.

GraynorisalsoknownforherportrayalofMeadowSoprano’stroubledroommate,Caitlin,on“TheSopranos.”Sherecentlywrappedarecurringroleon“Fringe”astheyoungersistertothefemaleleadplayedbyAnnaTorv.Heradditionaltelevisioncreditsincluderoleson“LawOrder:SVU,”“VeronicaMars,”“CSIMiami”and“Numbers.”

GraynorwasborninBoston,MassachusettsandcurrentlyresidesinNewYorkCity.

EULALASCHEEL(ShaniaCavendar)isthedaughterofMarciaGayHardenandfilmmakerThaddaeusScheel.ShewillnextbeseeninHOMEalongsideMarciaGayHarden,MarianSeldesandMichaelGaston.Scheelplayed'NanMerriman'inFELICITY:ANAMERICANGIRLADVENTUREwhichalsostarredGayHardenandJohnSchneider.ShemadeherfilmdebutintheAcademyAwardwinningfilmPOLLOCK.

ANDREWWILSON(Razor)rejoinsDrewBarrymorewithwhomhehasappearedintheFarrellybrother’sFEVERPITCH,McG’sCHARLIE’SANGELS:FULLTHROTTLEandRajaGosnell’sNEVERBEENKISSED.Wilsonmadehismotionpicturedebutin1996alongsidehisbrothersLukeandOwenindirectorWesAnderson’sacclaimedBOTTLEROCKET,whichhealsoassociateproduced.ItwasthebeginningofacollaborationwithAndersonthatcontinuedthroughthedirector’sfilmsRUSHMOREandTHEROYALTENNENBAUMS.

FromBenStiller’sZOOLANDERtoReginaldHudlin’sSERVINGSARAandGeorgeArmitage’sTHEBIGBOUNCE,Wilsonhasbroughtauniquepresencetohisroles.AmonghismorerecentcreditsareIDIOCRACYdirectedbyMikeJudgeandtheupcomingCALVINMARSHALLdirectedbyGaryLundgreninwhichheco-starswithSteveZahn.AndrewwillalsobefeaturedinHIGHSCHOOL,writtenanddirectedbyJohnThalberg,starringColinHanksandAdrienBrody.

In2005,Wilsonsteppedbehindthecameratoco-directTHEWENDELLBAKERSTORYwithhisbrotherLuke.HeandLukewillnextbedirectingWHITEWIDOW,basedofftheJimLehrerbookofthesamename.

CARLOALBAN(Birdman)mostrecentlyappearedinLIVEFREEORDIE.HisadditionalfilmworkincludesSTRANGERSWITHCANDY,21GRAMS,THETAVERN(HBO)andMARGARET,writtenanddirectedbyKennethLonergan.AlbanmadehisfilmdebutinHURRICANESTREETS('97Sundancefavourite),followedbyHI-LIFEandtheTNToriginal“ThickerThanBlood,”forwhichhereceivedanAlmaAwardnomination.

HebeganhisactingcareeratageelevenwhenhewascastinthetitleroleinacommunitytheatreproductionofOliver!HecontinuedperformingintheatresinandaroundNewYorkuntilhewascastin“SesameStreet”stayingwiththeshowforfiveseasons.Additionaltelevisioncreditsincludeappearancesonseriesrangingfrom“TouchedByAnAngel”to“Oz.”Inseasonthree,hecouldbeseenintherecurringroleofMcGradyon“PrisonBreak.”

Albancontinuestoperformintheatresaroundthecountry,mostrecentlyintheworldpremiereofLydiaattheDenverCentreforthePerformingArts,whichalsosubsequentlyplayedatYaleRepertoryandtheMarkTaperForuminLA.HeisaproudmemberoftheLabyrinthTheatreCompanyinNewYorkCity.In2007,LabyrinthproducedIntríngulis,aone-manshowhewroteandstarredinabouthisexperiencesgrowingupasanillegalimmigrant.ThepiecewasperformedatthePublicTheatreinNewYorkandsubsequentlyinLA,Syracuse,andWestchesterNY.

LANDONPIGG(Oliver)ismakinghismotionpicturedebutinWHIPITplaying-whatelse-amusician.Piggcomesfromamusicalandcreativefamily,dadamusician,momapoet,whohelpedshapeandinspirehimintowhoheistoday.

SignedtoarecorddealbyRCAwhenhewasonly19,Landonreleasedhismajorlabeldebut,LP,in2006.WhileitcertainlyholdsitsownLPtoooftenpolishedLandon’sroughedgesuntiltherewasn’tanythinglefttohold.Butbehindthatslicksheenweresomeseriouslygoodsongs.Songsthatweresoontohaveasecondlifethankstothesuccessofadiamondintheroughtunethatfounditshomeinanunlikelysetting.

DuringtheHolidayseasonof2007-08,Landon’sunreleasedodetoanunrequitedcoffeeshopcrushwaschosenasthesoundtracktothe“ADiamondIsForever”commercialcampaign.Itwasasimplesongwithasimplelyric“Ithinkthatpossibly,maybeI’vefallenforyou”withamelodyandmessagethatmovedmillions.“Coffeeshop”soonrackeduphundredsofthousandsofiTunesdownloads,pushingLandontonotonlyissueanEPcentredaroundthesongbuttorevisitsomeofhisoldermaterialwithamorestrippeddownsound.

Inanefforttoexplorehisreworkedmaterialandtryoutsomenewsongs,Landonsetoutontheroad,touringwithlabelmateGavinDeGrawandappearingon“LateNightWithConanO’Brien,”“LastCallwithCarsonDaly,”and“TheTonightShowwithJayLeno.”“Coffeeshop”eventuallylandedinanothermajoradcampaignayearlaterforAT&TandhelpedreacquainteveryonewithLandonbeforethereleaseofTheBoyWhoNever.

LandonwillreleasehissophomorealbumTheBoyWhoNeveronSeptember15thonRCARecords.ProducedbyJacquireKing(KingsofLeon,ModestMouse,TomWaits)therecordincludesanewarrangementofLandon’s“FallingInLoveAtACoffeeShop.”

RACHELPIPLICA(MansonSister#2),anativeofPittsburgh,PA,hasbeenmakingapresenceinthederbycommunitysince2004.FansofrollerderbywillrecognizeherasthevolatilecaptainoftheLADerbyDolls'2008seasonchampsteam,theToughCookies,wheresheskatesunderthemonikerIronMaiven.AsbothanemployeeofLucky13ApparelandalsoownerofIronDollClothing,muchofthelookoftheLADerbyDollscanbeattributedtoPiplica'scontributionstotheleague'suniformdesigns.Shehasappearedasaskaterinmusicvideos,thetelevisionshow"KathKim,"andwasfeaturedintheHDNetRollerDerbyBroadcast.WHIPITisherfirstfilm.

KRISTENADOLFI(MansonSister#1)inherroleasaMansonSisterinWHIPITisafirstforMukilteo,Washingtonnative,sheisnostrangertotheon-skatesactionrequiredofhercharacter.Herrealliferollerderbyalterego,KrissyKrash,isknownthroughouttheworldforhertake-no-prisonersbodyblocksandfleetfootedjammingontheLADerbyDolls'bankedtrack.Amemberoftheleague'sToughCookiesteamsince2008,Kristenalsoenjoysanoff-screenskatingpartnershipwithheronscreensister,RachelPiplica.Whenshe'snotsendingskaterssailingthroughtheair,theaspiringteacherhelpskidssurfthroughthewavesasthemanagerofSurfAcademyBeachKids.YoucanalsoseeKristenlendingherderbyskillstomusicvideosbythebandsSteadlurandAnti-Flag,aswellasonthesitcom"KathandKim.

DANIELSTERN(EarlCavendar)hashadalongandsuccessfulcareerinmotionpictures,beginningwithhisdebutintheAcademyAwardnominatedBREAKINGAWAY,directedbyPeterYatesfollowedbytheAcademyAwardnominatedSTARTINGOVER,directedbyAlanJPakula.Hewentontocollaboratewithsomeoftheindustry’stopdirectors,alternatingbetweencomedyanddrama.AmonghisearliercreditsaretwofilmsforWoodyAllen-STARDUSTMEMORIESandHANNAHANDHERSISTERS,BarryLevinson’sbreak-throughfilm,DINER,TimBurton’sFRANKENWEENIEandRobertRedford’sTHEMILAGROBEANFIELDWAR

HereteamedwithhisSTARTINGOVERco-star,JillClayburgh,inClaudiaWeill’sIT’SMYTURNandI’MDANCINGASFASTASICAN;starredinCheechMarin’sBORNINEASTLA.andHerbertRoss’MYBLUEHEAVENbeforegoingontostarintheinternationalblockbustersCITYSLICKERSandHOMEALONEaswellastheirrespectivesequels.Intheformer,hewaspartneredwithJoePesciasapairofineptburglarswhilethelattersawhimplayBillyCrystal’spal,theperpetuallydepressedPhil.

HewentontoexecutiveproduceandstarinthecomedyBUSH-WHACKEDbeforeteamingwithDanAykroydandDamonWayansinCELTICPRIDE.MorerecentlyhehasbeenseeninthefilmsTHELASTTIME,BACHELORPARTYVEGAS,THELASTFULLMEASUREandAPREVIOUSENGAGEMENT.

In1993,afterhavingdirected(andnarrated)“TheWonderYears,”SternsteppedbehindthecamerastomakehisfeaturedirectorialdebutwithROOKIEOFTHEYEAR,afilminwhichhealsoplayedtheslow-wittedpitchingcoach.

Stern’sfirstplay,Barbra’sWedding,hadasixmonthrunattheManhattanTheatreClubinNewYork,aswellashavingsubsequentproductionsaroundthecountry.Healsocreated,wroteandstarredintheCBSseries“Danny”,asitcomaboutanewlydivorcedmancopingwithhisjobatarecreationcentre.

Outsideofshowbusiness,MrSternisasculptor,acattlerancher,andheandhiswifeof30yearsco-foundedTheMalibuFoundationforYouthandFamilies,anon-profitorganizationwhichforthelasttenyearshasbeenfullyfundingTheBoysandGirlsClubinMalibu,servingover1200kids.

ABOUTTHEFILMMAKERS

DREWBARRYMORE(Director/Producer/SmashleySimpson)hasbeenafavouriteoffilmaudiencesforalmostthreedecades.Behindthecamera,sheisalsoenjoyingsuccessasaproducerunderherownFlowerFilmsbanner,withsuchhitsasNEVERBEENKISSED,CHARLIE’SANGELSand50FIRSTDATES.Inadditiontoproducingthefilms,BarrymorejoinedCameronDiazandLucyLiutostarinbothCHARLIE’SANGELSandCHARLIE’SANGELS:FULLTHROTTLE,which,together,grossedmorethanhalfabilliondollarsworldwide.