Vamps, Clueless and Fast Times Director Amy Heckerling

Episode 72 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

Pioneering director Amy Heckerling talks at length about the tricky business of being an iconoclast filmmaker and redefining youth movies time and again.
We discuss Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Look Who’s Talking, as well as Clueless and whether or not her being a woman has impacted her work and the way it’s been received.

Guest Bio

Film director and writer, Amy Heckerling, first made a name for herself by
directing the iconic teen comedy FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. Through
the years, she has directed and written several films including LOOK WHO’S
TALKING and CLUELESS, which confirmed her place in the pantheon of great
teen comedy directors. Three of her movies have been turned into television
series. Recently she reunited with her CLUELESS star, Alicia Silverstone, and
current It girl, Krysten Ritter for her latest film, VAMPS.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Coming up on Media Mayhem.
00:55 Introducing Amy Heckerling.
02:20 Working on several projects at once.
04:05 Look Who’s Talking and it’s subsequent spawn.
08:06 “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” Sean Penn and discovering talent.
15:19 Making her first film and the equation for a continued career.
20:12 Breaking rules in Fast Times: “I don’t think you could make a movie like that now.”
23:01 What has changed for female directors over the years?
31:45 “Where did Clueless come from?”
33:35 Amy’s upbringing in the Bronx.
36:10 “If you could sign your name to other people’s movies?”
38:04 Do teen movies today have longevity?
40:51 Thoughts on working on TV.
41:52 Are you typecast with working with teens?
42:50 Secret plans for a future on Broadway.
43:33 Thanks and Goodbye.

Additional Links

https://twitter.com/amyheckerling
https://www.facebook.com/VampsMovie?v=info

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Hosted By

Allison Hope Weiner

Allison Hope Weiner was a Century City entertainment litigator before she began writing about Hollywood as a journalist. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Southern California Law Center, she joined the legendary firm of Wyman, Bautzer—where she represented entertainers and corporate media clients.