‘Not Okay’: How Filmmaker Quinn Shephard Sifted Through Notorious Scammers for That Influencer Cameo
[Editor’s note: The following story contains spoilers for “Not Okay.”]
That viral influencer and alleged scammer Caroline Calloway appears in Quinn Shephard’s hilarious internet satire “Not Okay” isn’t a surprise: The figuratively canceled Instagram personality (and literally canceled author) repeatedly touted her involvement in the Hulu film with tweets and retweets (of course!) for all manner of marketing materials, including the trailer that features Calloway appearing as, well, herself.
Given the subject matter of the film, it’s canny casting defined. Shephard’s sophomore outing follows wannabe influencer Danni Sanders (Zoey Deutch) as she lies her way into viral fame and must face the fallout of her own scam. Although not as well known as scammer brethren like Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes, or Martin Shrekli, Calloway is infamous to a certain class of the very online who are also the kind of people who will enjoy Shephard’s (very smart) film. (Need a Calloway primer? This 2020 Guardian piece does that and more.
That viral influencer and alleged scammer Caroline Calloway appears in Quinn Shephard’s hilarious internet satire “Not Okay” isn’t a surprise: The figuratively canceled Instagram personality (and literally canceled author) repeatedly touted her involvement in the Hulu film with tweets and retweets (of course!) for all manner of marketing materials, including the trailer that features Calloway appearing as, well, herself.
Given the subject matter of the film, it’s canny casting defined. Shephard’s sophomore outing follows wannabe influencer Danni Sanders (Zoey Deutch) as she lies her way into viral fame and must face the fallout of her own scam. Although not as well known as scammer brethren like Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes, or Martin Shrekli, Calloway is infamous to a certain class of the very online who are also the kind of people who will enjoy Shephard’s (very smart) film. (Need a Calloway primer? This 2020 Guardian piece does that and more.
- 7/30/2022
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The dark comedy about a white woman who fakes trauma for clout is like many films about social media – at times unnerving but just a little off
It’s an enduring paradox that for as much time as we spend on the internet – narrativizing ourselves, intaking others, dissecting content into takes and memes – very few films accurately capture the experience of social media or the head-scrambling velocity of being online. Recent attempts have fallen flat, either into cheap, simple didacticism (Mainstream’s message of internet = bad) or Zola’s hazy, languorous adaptation of what was a punchy viral Twitter thread. The good ones –Eighth Grade, Ingrid Goes West, Searching – have managed to convincingly portray the warping force of the digital world through maladaptations of human behavior, with a grasp on a specific micro-era of digital culture.
Not Okay, written and directed by 27-year-old Quinn Shephard, aims squarely for the title of “internet film”. Its protagonist,...
It’s an enduring paradox that for as much time as we spend on the internet – narrativizing ourselves, intaking others, dissecting content into takes and memes – very few films accurately capture the experience of social media or the head-scrambling velocity of being online. Recent attempts have fallen flat, either into cheap, simple didacticism (Mainstream’s message of internet = bad) or Zola’s hazy, languorous adaptation of what was a punchy viral Twitter thread. The good ones –Eighth Grade, Ingrid Goes West, Searching – have managed to convincingly portray the warping force of the digital world through maladaptations of human behavior, with a grasp on a specific micro-era of digital culture.
Not Okay, written and directed by 27-year-old Quinn Shephard, aims squarely for the title of “internet film”. Its protagonist,...
- 7/28/2022
- by Adrian Horton
- The Guardian - Film News
This little guy was not waiting for anything — especially not for his mom to glam up.
Casey Wilson and her husband David Caspe welcomed their second child, son Henry, one month before his due date. The news was announced Thursday on Wilson’s podcast Bitch Sesh.
The podcast’s co-host Danielle Schneider said, “Our dear friend Casey Rose Wilson Caspe has given birth to a little baby boy while we were recording the podcast. You guys this is so exciting!”
Wilson’s dad, Paul Wilson, was also on the show, sharing that “the baby is a month early but perfectly fine.
Casey Wilson and her husband David Caspe welcomed their second child, son Henry, one month before his due date. The news was announced Thursday on Wilson’s podcast Bitch Sesh.
The podcast’s co-host Danielle Schneider said, “Our dear friend Casey Rose Wilson Caspe has given birth to a little baby boy while we were recording the podcast. You guys this is so exciting!”
Wilson’s dad, Paul Wilson, was also on the show, sharing that “the baby is a month early but perfectly fine.
- 8/25/2017
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
There are certain characters on “Game of Thrones” who could probably have been played equally well by a few dozen actors across the UK and Europe. Then there are the ones who, because of certain traits given to them by author George R.R. Martin, needed a very specific combination of talent and physical appearance. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister is obviously one of those, and Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth is another. At an imposing 6’4”(*) with icy blonde hair and large blue eyes, Christie makes an impression, and is absolutely convincing as the stoic warrior who keeps beating up all the men who underestimate her. (*) Tall actresses often wear flats to downplay their height, but when I interviewed Christie, she was wearing heels, making her even taller, and one of the few actors of either gender I’ve ever had to look up at. Christie and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau had...
- 4/2/2014
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Hitfix
Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth unleashed a storm of swords in the climax of Sunday night’s Game of Thrones; the two knights with very different ethics finally having their big clash on a scenic bridge.
Captive Jaime was being led to King’s Landing by Brienne when his stream of insults and attempts to annoy her finally afforded him a chance to escape. Unlike Jaime’s showdown with Ned Stark in season one, however, this was a unique kind of battle.
“It was a very different fight because I was still tied with my hands and her style...
Captive Jaime was being led to King’s Landing by Brienne when his stream of insults and attempts to annoy her finally afforded him a chance to escape. Unlike Jaime’s showdown with Ned Stark in season one, however, this was a unique kind of battle.
“It was a very different fight because I was still tied with my hands and her style...
- 4/8/2013
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
Brienne of Tarth might be one of the more somber, conservative characters on "Game of Thrones," but the actress who plays her, Gwendoline Christie, is nothing like that. The same can be said of Jaime Lannister's Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and putting the two of them together in real life is guaranteed comedy. The duo filmed might be enemies on screen, but they have developed a rapport after filming the majority of Season 3 together that is wonderful to see at play.
Zap2it attended a press day for "Game of Thrones" Season 3 and spoke to Christie and Coster-Waldau about what fans can expect from the next 10 episodes of HBO's hit fantasy series. Among the jokes being tossed between the two actors were some thoughtful teases of the upcoming season. Here are some highlights:
Christie and Coster-Waldau after being asked to tease their storylines this season...
Coster-Waldau: "Gwen."
Christie: "Okay, Nikolaj, thanks for tossing that over first.
Zap2it attended a press day for "Game of Thrones" Season 3 and spoke to Christie and Coster-Waldau about what fans can expect from the next 10 episodes of HBO's hit fantasy series. Among the jokes being tossed between the two actors were some thoughtful teases of the upcoming season. Here are some highlights:
Christie and Coster-Waldau after being asked to tease their storylines this season...
Coster-Waldau: "Gwen."
Christie: "Okay, Nikolaj, thanks for tossing that over first.
- 3/21/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
In part two of our interviews on the set of Mama (read part one here), producer Guillermo del Toro is joined by the charismatic star of the show, Jessica Chastain. After our interview, Jessica took us to her trailer to show us how she had decorated with punk posters to get into characters. Of course, I was too distracted by her playful three-legged puppy Chaplin to pay too much attention to the sparse trailer. So here is the interview.
Jessica, what has it been like working with Andy, a new director, and of course Guillermo? Did Guillermo’s name help convince you to sign on for this project?
Jessica Chastain: Well of course. I’ve been such a huge fan of Guillermo’s and he’s one of the first people I met when I came onto this project. I had knee problems. I came in to the meeting...
Jessica, what has it been like working with Andy, a new director, and of course Guillermo? Did Guillermo’s name help convince you to sign on for this project?
Jessica Chastain: Well of course. I’ve been such a huge fan of Guillermo’s and he’s one of the first people I met when I came onto this project. I had knee problems. I came in to the meeting...
- 10/24/2012
- by Alyse Wax
- FEARnet
I got to meet Jessica Chastain’s three legged dog on the ‘Mama’ set and ever since I’ve mentioned at every opportunity how happy a three legged dog can be.
In Jessica’s creation of Annabel means listening to punk music (her character plays the bass, so her nailpolish is constantly chipped) and watching whatever horror movies Guillermo Del Toro and Andrés Muchietti recommend (she’s not a natural horror fan). Mostly, I watch Devin from Badass Digest questioning Jessica Chastain as we’re all in her trailer – I expected him to do something more crazy, but – curse him – he just reported like the rest of us.
Back in the windowless room mere hours earlier, our chat with Guillermo was finally giving us a picture of what this movie was about, what it’s goals were and how the story grew beyond the original short (all this in my...
In Jessica’s creation of Annabel means listening to punk music (her character plays the bass, so her nailpolish is constantly chipped) and watching whatever horror movies Guillermo Del Toro and Andrés Muchietti recommend (she’s not a natural horror fan). Mostly, I watch Devin from Badass Digest questioning Jessica Chastain as we’re all in her trailer – I expected him to do something more crazy, but – curse him – he just reported like the rest of us.
Back in the windowless room mere hours earlier, our chat with Guillermo was finally giving us a picture of what this movie was about, what it’s goals were and how the story grew beyond the original short (all this in my...
- 10/23/2012
- by Da7e
- LRMonline.com
(Above: ’Mama’ director Andrés Muschietti and Guillermo Del Toro)
I’m not sure how I got switched from the comics/action/tentpole guy to the horror guy, but when you get offered a set visit for a Guillermo Del Toro produced film, you go. Not to mention that this movie was the premiere English language film from Andrés Muchietti a director who wouldn’t be on IMDb at all if it wasn’t for his original “Mama” short and a position as a set production assistant on ‘Evita.’ Packing up for Toronto, I threw the short up on my laptop as I was packing. It was brief, it was creepy, it was insanely dark. I stopped packing, messed with my settings and found a brighter version.
‘Mama,” the short film is what sold Guillermo Del Toro on Andrés and his sister/creative partner Barbara and it’s what got me...
I’m not sure how I got switched from the comics/action/tentpole guy to the horror guy, but when you get offered a set visit for a Guillermo Del Toro produced film, you go. Not to mention that this movie was the premiere English language film from Andrés Muchietti a director who wouldn’t be on IMDb at all if it wasn’t for his original “Mama” short and a position as a set production assistant on ‘Evita.’ Packing up for Toronto, I threw the short up on my laptop as I was packing. It was brief, it was creepy, it was insanely dark. I stopped packing, messed with my settings and found a brighter version.
‘Mama,” the short film is what sold Guillermo Del Toro on Andrés and his sister/creative partner Barbara and it’s what got me...
- 10/23/2012
- by Da7e
- LRMonline.com
Oh man! You take Eva Green (Camelot, and soon to be in Dark Shadows) and Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Trainspotting and one of my fave movies Miss Potter) and put them together, I am sure it's going to be greatness! Here's a bit about the movie for you all.
Perfect Sense is directed by British director David Mackenzie, who previously directed Spread, Hallam Foe, Asylum, Young Adam and The Last Great Wilderness. The screenplay was written by award winning Danish writer Kim Fupz Aakeson, of films like Okay, In Your Hands, Pure Hearts, Little Soldier and A Somewhat Gentle Man previously. This premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and was picked up by IFC Films for distribution. However, they haven't set the Us release date yet, as far as we know. Stay tuned!
Here's a synopsis for you all and then the trailer.
Green plays Susan, an...
Perfect Sense is directed by British director David Mackenzie, who previously directed Spread, Hallam Foe, Asylum, Young Adam and The Last Great Wilderness. The screenplay was written by award winning Danish writer Kim Fupz Aakeson, of films like Okay, In Your Hands, Pure Hearts, Little Soldier and A Somewhat Gentle Man previously. This premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and was picked up by IFC Films for distribution. However, they haven't set the Us release date yet, as far as we know. Stay tuned!
Here's a synopsis for you all and then the trailer.
Green plays Susan, an...
- 9/15/2011
- by Mars
- GeekTyrant
Today we have the trailer photos and poster for Perfect Sense, starring Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting) and Eva Green (Casino Royale), about an epidemic that robs people of their sensory perceptions. This British movie that reunites McGregor with Ewen Bremner for the first time since Trainspotting will premiere at this years Sundance Film Festival on January 24th.
A poetic and magnetic love story about two people who start to fall in love just as the world begins to fall apart. Green plays Susan, an epidemiologist recently out of a relationship gone sour; McGregor is Michael, the charismatic chef who sweeps Susan off her feet and shows her that not all guys are a-holes; except for one tiny problem: pandemic is threatening to change the face of humanity forever.
Ewan McGregor and Ewen Bremner, Perfect Sense
Eva Green, Perfect Sense
Perfect Sense is directed by British director David Mackenzie, who previously directed Spread,...
A poetic and magnetic love story about two people who start to fall in love just as the world begins to fall apart. Green plays Susan, an epidemiologist recently out of a relationship gone sour; McGregor is Michael, the charismatic chef who sweeps Susan off her feet and shows her that not all guys are a-holes; except for one tiny problem: pandemic is threatening to change the face of humanity forever.
Ewan McGregor and Ewen Bremner, Perfect Sense
Eva Green, Perfect Sense
Perfect Sense is directed by British director David Mackenzie, who previously directed Spread,...
- 1/23/2011
- by Nikola Mraovic
- Filmofilia
Reviewed by Amy R. Handler
(January 2011)
Directed by: Martin Zandvliet
Written by: Martin Zandvliet and Anders Frithiof August
Starring: Paprika Steen, Michael Falch, Sara-Marie Maltha, Shanti Roni, Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks and Noel Koch-Søfeldt
Many filmmakers have explored the inner world of performers, but few do it as masterfully as Danish director Martin Zandvliet (“Angels of Brooklyn”). With actress extraordinaire Paprika Steen (“Okay”) in the lead, his newest feat “Applause” is nothing short of remarkable.
Writing his story from the perspective of Thea Barfoed (Steen), a divorced actress and recovering alcoholic, Zandvliet interweaves scenes of Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” into his narrative. Fascinating and at the same time disorienting, this seesawing between Thea’s stage role and the reality of her life offers the viewer an unobstructed lens into Thea’s psyche.
In both stories, Thea lives inside the hell of a crumbled marriage, and...
(January 2011)
Directed by: Martin Zandvliet
Written by: Martin Zandvliet and Anders Frithiof August
Starring: Paprika Steen, Michael Falch, Sara-Marie Maltha, Shanti Roni, Otto Leonardo Steen Rieks and Noel Koch-Søfeldt
Many filmmakers have explored the inner world of performers, but few do it as masterfully as Danish director Martin Zandvliet (“Angels of Brooklyn”). With actress extraordinaire Paprika Steen (“Okay”) in the lead, his newest feat “Applause” is nothing short of remarkable.
Writing his story from the perspective of Thea Barfoed (Steen), a divorced actress and recovering alcoholic, Zandvliet interweaves scenes of Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” into his narrative. Fascinating and at the same time disorienting, this seesawing between Thea’s stage role and the reality of her life offers the viewer an unobstructed lens into Thea’s psyche.
In both stories, Thea lives inside the hell of a crumbled marriage, and...
- 1/20/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Shooting has commenced on Lars von Trier’s latest film, Melancholia. The director held a press conference to announce that his movies will have “”No more happy endings!” Trier has always been playful and often outrageous in his declarations. And loves winding up critics.
Filming began on 22nd July in Trollhattan, Sweden and will continue right up until early September. And yes, it’ll be ready for next year’s Cannes festival. Here’s the cast life of people brave enough to work with him: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgård, Stellan Skarsgård, Jesper Christensen, Udo Kier, Brady Corbet and Cameron Spurr.
The director has described his movie as “a psychological disaster movie” and “a beautiful movie about the end of the world”.
Okay…
Melancholia will no doubt divide critics and audiences when its release next year. Stay tuned for updates.
Filming began on 22nd July in Trollhattan, Sweden and will continue right up until early September. And yes, it’ll be ready for next year’s Cannes festival. Here’s the cast life of people brave enough to work with him: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgård, Stellan Skarsgård, Jesper Christensen, Udo Kier, Brady Corbet and Cameron Spurr.
The director has described his movie as “a psychological disaster movie” and “a beautiful movie about the end of the world”.
Okay…
Melancholia will no doubt divide critics and audiences when its release next year. Stay tuned for updates.
- 7/27/2010
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
AFI Fest 2002 -- held Nov. 7-17 in Hollywood -- wrapped up over the weekend with an awards ceremony Friday night and a closing-night screening of Pedro Almodovar's Talk to Her on Sunday. Friday's awards ceremony was presented at the Kodak Connect Closing Party on Sunset Boulevard. In the international feature competition, Eiji Okuda's Shoujyo: An Adolescent was lauded with the grand jury prize, while special honors for acting went to Shawn Ku for his performance in Samsara and Paprika Steen for her starring turn in Okay.
- 11/19/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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