Phoebe Bridgers recently made waves at the Venice International Film Festival, discussing her acting debut in the film Primetime, which features Robert Pattinson. The film, inspired by the infamous television show To Catch a Predator and its host Chris Hansen, has generated considerable buzz following its premiere.
Bridgers and Oppenheim’s Creative Partnership
At the press conference, it was revealed that Bridgers and Primetime director Lance Oppenheim were already friends prior to filming. Oppenheim, who recently directed Bridgers’ music video for “Lost Boys,” suggested her for a role in the film. Pattinson was initially surprised, stating, “I didn’t even know Lance and Phoebe were friends. When [Oppenheim] suggested her, I was like ‘Phoebe Bridgers? Why don’t we just get the queen?’”
Facing the Challenge of Acting
Bridgers described her first experience in front of the camera as “super intimidating.” However, she quickly found solace in working with a talented cast, noting, “Turns out, working with incredible people actually makes it way easier. I thought I was going to wither with all of these guys. Instead, it was just so fun and free.”
A Learning Experience
Reflecting on her debut, Bridgers shared, “I just trusted Lance. He made it feel like a documentary in a really fun way… I just couldn’t get over how do you read something on a script and then act like you’re thinking of it in that moment?” Her performance was praised by Pattinson, who commented, “She’s unbelievable. Even on the first day, she was so relaxed. She didn’t seem nervous at all. She completely got the tone, and it’s a relatively difficult movie.”
Bridgers’ Multifaceted Contribution
Not only did Bridgers make her acting debut, but she also co-composed the film’s score and contributed the end credits song, showcasing her diverse talents. Oppenheim, who has known Bridgers since before her rise to fame, expressed his admiration for her voice, stating, “I’ve always known her to have an incredibly deep, almost baritone speaking voice, and I was then amazed that someone who had such a deep speaking voice could produce this beautiful, angelic singing voice.” He recalled texting her about the role, admitting she hesitated, saying, “I don’t really act, I’ve never done it, I don’t know how.”
