This thread is to detail the process and experience of how my wife's book became a movie. If you would like to critique it, please do so on a different thread. Also please don't harass my wife or I, that is not cool.
I debated even bringing this up because people on the internet are awful (even on texags). Anyways some of you might know my wife is an author. She's a NYT #1 Best Seller among other accolades so suffice to say she has done pretty well for herself. Anyways, back in 2015 she wrote a book called Dumplin'. It's a about a fat girl in a small Texas town. She knows she is fat and isn't really bothered by the term. She falls for a guy at her job and is surprised when he has feelings back for her. She loses some of her self-confidence and tries to gain it back by joining the local beauty pageant run by her mother, former beauty queen. It debuted at #1 on the NYT Best Seller list and has been published something like 20 different countries.
Soon after we got a call that Disney wanted to buy the film rights which they ended up doing. That was a bit of wild experience just seeing all the things that Disney does. Around this time, Disney began ramping up production on it's live action remakes. About a year later they decided to let the rights expire and not to make the film. It was a pretty big gut punch but there was a silver lining.
At this point, they already had a screenwriter, script, and some producers signed on. The screenwriter, Kristen Hahn (Time Traveler's wife, The Departed), had a good friend that she felt was perfect for the main character's mother. Her friend just happened to be Jennifer Aniston. Everyone involved at this point was determined to get the movie made so they secured some independent financing and went forward with production.
We were very lucky in that they consulted my wife a lot on the script which is not very common in the book to movie experience. The biggest hurdle would be the music. The main character in the book is obsessed with Dolly Parton and it's a central theme in the book. So needless to say, we were blown away when we found out not only had Dolly read the book, she wanted to let us use her entire catalog, and wanted to write some new music for the film. The album features lots of collaborations with current artists and is produced by Linda Perry
We had a chance to visit the set about a year ago and that was also eye opening. The cast and crew were amazing and it was so cool to see how a movie is made. Spoiler Alert: I made the final cut of the film as an extra. Back in February we went to LA to film some promo stuff and meet Dolly Parton. I don't know how to put into words the experience of meeting someone who is a cultural icon and a childhood hero. Basically, it was incredible and I now have the most kick ass Christmas card photo for this year.
Fast forward to today. The movie was eventually bought by Netflix and is scheduled for release on December 7th of this year. The soundtrack which features 6 original songs by Dolly Parton is out on November 30th. She just released a second song from the album which is an original for the film.
I really wanted to start this thread because I know a few people were interested but mainly because I am so dang proud of my wife. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the whole process. Like I said if you want to critique the film and book, please start another thread. Also, please don't seek out and harass my wife or I on social media she gets enough hate mail as it is. TIA
TL;DR
My wife wrote a book which was made into a movie starring Jennifer Aniston, Dolly Parton and Linda Perry did the soundtrack, Dolly wrote some original songs for the film, it comes out in a month, and I don't know what real life is anymore.
LINKS:
IMDB page for cast
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4878482/fullcredits
https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a24403853/dumplin-movie-netflix/
Dolly Parton has two songs out from the soundtrack. Here I am (a rerecording featuring Sia) and her newest original song Girl in the Movies (she has already been promoting it for an oscar nom)
https://dollyparton.com/featured/here-i-am-first-single-from-dumplin/15492
You can find both songs anywhere you buy or stream music.
And here is the track listing
Edited to add the trailer:
I debated even bringing this up because people on the internet are awful (even on texags). Anyways some of you might know my wife is an author. She's a NYT #1 Best Seller among other accolades so suffice to say she has done pretty well for herself. Anyways, back in 2015 she wrote a book called Dumplin'. It's a about a fat girl in a small Texas town. She knows she is fat and isn't really bothered by the term. She falls for a guy at her job and is surprised when he has feelings back for her. She loses some of her self-confidence and tries to gain it back by joining the local beauty pageant run by her mother, former beauty queen. It debuted at #1 on the NYT Best Seller list and has been published something like 20 different countries.
Soon after we got a call that Disney wanted to buy the film rights which they ended up doing. That was a bit of wild experience just seeing all the things that Disney does. Around this time, Disney began ramping up production on it's live action remakes. About a year later they decided to let the rights expire and not to make the film. It was a pretty big gut punch but there was a silver lining.
At this point, they already had a screenwriter, script, and some producers signed on. The screenwriter, Kristen Hahn (Time Traveler's wife, The Departed), had a good friend that she felt was perfect for the main character's mother. Her friend just happened to be Jennifer Aniston. Everyone involved at this point was determined to get the movie made so they secured some independent financing and went forward with production.
We were very lucky in that they consulted my wife a lot on the script which is not very common in the book to movie experience. The biggest hurdle would be the music. The main character in the book is obsessed with Dolly Parton and it's a central theme in the book. So needless to say, we were blown away when we found out not only had Dolly read the book, she wanted to let us use her entire catalog, and wanted to write some new music for the film. The album features lots of collaborations with current artists and is produced by Linda Perry
We had a chance to visit the set about a year ago and that was also eye opening. The cast and crew were amazing and it was so cool to see how a movie is made. Spoiler Alert: I made the final cut of the film as an extra. Back in February we went to LA to film some promo stuff and meet Dolly Parton. I don't know how to put into words the experience of meeting someone who is a cultural icon and a childhood hero. Basically, it was incredible and I now have the most kick ass Christmas card photo for this year.
Fast forward to today. The movie was eventually bought by Netflix and is scheduled for release on December 7th of this year. The soundtrack which features 6 original songs by Dolly Parton is out on November 30th. She just released a second song from the album which is an original for the film.
I really wanted to start this thread because I know a few people were interested but mainly because I am so dang proud of my wife. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the whole process. Like I said if you want to critique the film and book, please start another thread. Also, please don't seek out and harass my wife or I on social media she gets enough hate mail as it is. TIA
TL;DR
My wife wrote a book which was made into a movie starring Jennifer Aniston, Dolly Parton and Linda Perry did the soundtrack, Dolly wrote some original songs for the film, it comes out in a month, and I don't know what real life is anymore.
LINKS:
IMDB page for cast
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4878482/fullcredits
https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a24403853/dumplin-movie-netflix/
Dolly Parton has two songs out from the soundtrack. Here I am (a rerecording featuring Sia) and her newest original song Girl in the Movies (she has already been promoting it for an oscar nom)
https://dollyparton.com/featured/here-i-am-first-single-from-dumplin/15492
You can find both songs anywhere you buy or stream music.
And here is the track listing
Edited to add the trailer:
