A night to remember: The making of ‘Saturday Night’
A unique approach to character preparation
In the world of cinema, directors often have distinct methods to bring out the best in their actors. For Jason Reitman, the director of the upcoming film “Saturday Night,” this meant advising his cast to avoid meeting their real-life counterparts before filming. This directive was particularly challenging for Lamorne Morris, who portrays original ”Saturday Night Live” cast member Garrett Morris. Despite Reitman’s advice, Lamorne felt a deep connection to Garrett’s experiences and decided to meet him anyway.
“Garrett was going through similar things that I find myself going through in my career, so it was easy to relate to that ‘fish out of water’ feeling,” Lamorne shared. “I’m very grateful that I did what I had to do.”
The ensemble cast and their roles
“Saturday Night” boasts a sprawling ensemble cast, including Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as writer Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, and Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd. The film, which premieres at the Toronto Film Festival, is set entirely on the night of the first “SNL” episode in 1975.
Reitman, known for his work on “Juno” and “Up in the Air,” emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of the characters rather than striving for perfect impersonations.
“The homework was ‘don’t prep’ because at the end of the day, the idea is to capture one piece of the character,” Reitman explained. “You can’t actually replicate a person 100% — and particularly in an ensemble this big. It’s more so, how do you get along as a group?”
The countdown to the first episode
“Saturday Night Live” has been a cultural institution for nearly 50 years, launching the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest comedians and entertainers. However, “Saturday Night” focuses on the 90 minutes leading up to the show’s first broadcast, offering a glimpse into the tension and excitement of that historic moment.
“I’ve always been enamored by these moments where greatness comes into the world,” Reitman said. “What was it like when certain songs were written? And ‘Saturday Night Live’ is beyond a cultural institution. I always wondered… what would it have been like to be in that room as they counted down to going live?”
The cast’s preparation and reflections
Gabriel LaBelle, who previously portrayed a young Steven Spielberg in “The Fabelmans,” admitted he initially wanted to meet Lorne Michaels but ultimately respected Reitman’s advice.
“I read books and interviews. The internet is very abundant with things,” LaBelle said. He eventually met Michaels after production wrapped, finding comfort in not having to reconcile the young Lorne with his present-day persona.
Ella Hunt, who plays Gilda Radner, found freedom in focusing on Radner’s early career rather than her later fame. She connected with Alan Zweibel, Radner’s key collaborator and close friend, to gain insights into her character.
“Their partnership in writing was so fiery and loving,” Hunt said. “Best friends share a sensibility sometimes. There were things in Alan’s composure and the way that Alan communicated with me that I thought about in playing Gilda.”
Rachel Sennott reached out to Rosie Shuster, who provided valuable advice on staying calm under pressure.
“She’s so cool under pressure, and I am not like that at all. I am anxious, and I freak out very easily,” Sennott admitted. “It’s such an amazing thing to step into. All this chaos is happening around you, and [she’s] like, ‘I don’t care. Fuck it.'”
The immersive set experience
During the filming of “Saturday Night,” the cast didn’t have individual trailers. Instead, they shared a common area filled with ’70s era furniture, ping pong tables, and board games. Dressing rooms were designed to reflect each character’s personality, and a TV on set played the first season of “SNL” on loop.
“Well, I wanted it to be 1970s television in general that you were watching while you were there,” Reitman told his cast. He hoped they’d subconsciously absorb the ethos of the Not Ready for Primetime players.
Reitman saw each character’s journey as a unique focus point: Gilda as the fairy dust, Garrett searching for his identity, Chevy needing to be humbled, and Aykroyd as a genius filtering a fire hose through a straw.
A night of anticipation
“Saturday Night” offers a fascinating look at the moments leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live.” The film captures the raw emotions, the camaraderie, and the sheer excitement of a group of talented individuals on the brink of making television history. For fans of cinema, TV series, and music, this film promises to be a captivating exploration of a pivotal moment in entertainment history.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Saturday Night.
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