Test screenings can be an incredibly helpful and informative link in the creative process between production and premiere. As with most major productions, when working with Marvel Studios on the upcoming film,The Marvels, filmmakerNia DaCostatook her film through this important step. But, trusting one’s gut and disregarding a piece of advice or vice versa can be an anxiety-inducing decision to make for directors when in the final stretch of showing off their project to the world. In a recent interview with Collider’sPerri Nemiroff, DaCosta revealed how she handles the feedback and the way that she moves forward with notes.
When asked about how to interpret notes received during the screening process DaCosta said, “That’s sort of every filmmaking process where, whether it’s getting notes from your executives — because even if you’re not doing test screenings in the way that Marvel does, I usually like to just get a group of people I trust and who have great taste together, and that’s really helpful for me.” When asked about a piece of feedback that she received forThe Marvelsthat helped shape the final product, DaCosta added, “I can’t think of anything specific because it literally is, you get every kind of note you could possibly think about. Literally, someone said, ‘I don’t like that tank top.’ What am I gonna do about that? Literally nothing.”
Turning inward and reflectingon whatshewould be looking to point out if a peer came to her asking for an extra set of eyes, DaCosta continues,
“I think it’s really like, and I think about this whenIgive notes, ‘Am I giving a note because I’m asking them or wanting them to do it the wayIwould have done it, or am I giving a note that is improving what they actually wanted to do?’ And so those are the two kinds of notes that you get usually, and I think the ones that you take are the ones that improve the movie that you’re trying to make, and the ones that you leave behind are the ones that make a movie the way someone else would.”
Making her directorial debut with thebrilliant crime drama,Little Woods, DaCosta has quickly become a highly sought-after director. Blending the old with the new,her sophomore title,Candymanincluded names such asYahya Abdul-Mateen IIandTeyonah Parrisin a slasher flick that served as a sequel to the 1992 classic of the same name. Though it faced several setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even that couldn’t slow down DaCosta’s rise and the upward trajectory that would next put her in line with Marvel Studios.
InThe Marvels, DaCosta reteams withCandymanstar Parris as well asBrie LarsonandIman Vellaniin a story that sees thethree heroes’ powers causing them to trade places with one another. While audiences have previously seen standalone female films in the MCU, includingCaptain MarvelandBlack Widow, this will be the first time that a trio of female-presenting characters take the lead in a group film. Though she has somepressure from the fan base, there’s no doubt that DaCosta has poured her heart and soul into the production.
Check out Nemiroff’s full interview with DaCosta below and get your tickets forThe Marvelsnow to catch it when itflies into theaters in the U.S. on November 10.
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Carol Danvers gets her powers entangled with those of Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau, forcing them to work together to save the universe.
