Dear Sofia, How long did filming THE VIRGIN SUICIDES take you to complete from start to finish?

RandalPNP

RandalPNP, The filming was only 29 days, but the whole thing has taken about 4 years to make.

-Sofia


Hi Sofia, You've mentioned that you did some costume designing. Did you do work on a movie, or on a television show? Good luck with THE VIRGIN SUICIDES. I loved the book.

Kathleen

Kathleen, I worked on one of the segments (Life Without Zoe) of a movie called "New York Stories" and a movie called "The Spirit of '76", directed by Lucas Reiner. That was a while ago; I remember it being fun.

-Sofia


Sofia, I can't wait to see the film. Did your dad visit the set of THE VIRGIN SUICIDES? Did you like having him there, or did you feel nervous?

Karen

Karen, Thanks. Yes, my dad visited for a few days, it was nice having him there; he just hung out and talked to visitors.

-Sofia


Hi Sofia, I was a huge fan of your show Hi-Octane. Are you planning to do any TV shows like that in the future?

Rubi

Rubi, Thank you! I don't have any plans to do more, but it was great to be able to make those four episodes.

-Sofia


Dear Sofia, Do you have any plans to direct music videos? Are you directing a music video from music from THE VIRGIN SUICIDES? I can't wait to see the film.

Kristin

Kristin, My brother Roman (who directs videos) and I did one for "Playground Love" - the AIR song from the movie. It has a really cute piece of gum singing in it.

-Sofia


Sofia, I remember your mom did a documentary called "Heart of Darkness" about the filming of APOCALYPSE NOW. Did she do a documentary about the filming of THE VIRGIN SUICIDES?

Sam from Lakewood, California

Sam, Yes, she shot some of the behind the scenes, but our shoot was not very dramatic, compared to APOCALYPSE NOW.

-Sofia


Dear Sofia, Is the band AIR the only music in the film, or is music from the seventies also in the film?

Ben

Ben, AIR did an original score, but then there's music from the seventies too when the characters are listening to records. (There is also a soundtrack coming out) I was really excited to use ELO, 10cc, Todd Rundgren and Heart.

-Sofia


Hey Sofia, Did you have fun while you were at Sundance? Did you see any films that you liked while you were there? Good luck with your movie.

Thanks, Alex B.

Alex, Sundance was fun but we were working so I didn't get to see any movies except a group of short films that 2 of my friends made - they were really good ("Men Make Women Crazy Theory" by Zoe Cassavetes and "The Architecture of Reassurance" by Mike Mills)

-Sofia


Sofia, Did you get to meet the author of the novel? Did he base THE VIRGIN SUICIDES on a factual event or is it completely fictional?

Cindy

Cindy, Yes it was exciting to meet him because I'm such a fan of his. (It's fiction)

-Sofia


Dear Sofia, Where did you film THE VIRGIN SUICIDES? I know the book takes place in Michigan. Did you film it there?

Ken C767

KenC767, We filmed it in Toronto, but it does take place in Michigan.

-Sofia


Sofia, What made you cast James Woods as Mr. Lisbon? He seems an unlikely choice for the part.

AZ Bill

AZBill, Because he's a great actor and he got the story and I knew he could bring charm and a loveable quality to bland Mr. Lisbon. I always love seeing an actor in a part I've never seen them in before.

-Sofia