The cast of Little Miss Sunshine, a 2006 road trip comedy, is reflecting on the film's production and the loose safety protocols that went into making the indie hit. The actors, including Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, and Abigail Breslin, spoke with People at the Sundance Film Festival about the 20th anniversary of the movie. While discussing rehearsals for the film, Kinnear, who played the family patriarch, revealed that he believed the movie was the most dangerous ever made. He explained that every scene filmed in the van involved him actually driving, while the directors, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, contorted in the car with a headset listening. Breslin, who was 10 years old when she starred in the movie, joked about the risks, saying, 'No children were damaged in the making of this movie.'
Nowadays, professional films usually shoot driving scenes by towing a car or mounting it on a platform driven by another person to keep actors safe. However, the cast of Little Miss Sunshine took a different approach. Dano revealed that Kinnear broke a traffic law during rehearsals as a prank on Arkin, who played the family patriarch. Kinnear drove through a full red light to prevent Arkin from getting out of the van to use the bathroom. This incident highlights the risks and challenges of filming on location, where safety protocols may not always be as stringent as in modern productions.
The cast's reflections on the film's production offer a fascinating insight into the challenges and risks of making a movie. While the film was a critical and commercial success, the cast and crew had to navigate a range of safety issues and logistical challenges. The fact that the actors had to drive themselves in the van for many scenes is a testament to their commitment to the role and the film's unique vision. However, it also raises questions about the safety of the actors and the potential risks of filming on location.
In my opinion, the cast's reflections on the film's production offer a valuable lesson in the importance of safety protocols in the film industry. While it may be tempting to cut corners and take risks for the sake of artistic vision, it is crucial to prioritize the safety of the cast and crew. The fact that the actors had to drive themselves in the van for many scenes is a reminder that safety should always be a top priority in film production. Personally, I think that the film industry should take a more proactive approach to safety, and that the cast and crew of Little Miss Sunshine should be commended for their commitment to the role and the film's unique vision, even in the face of potential risks.
