Greta Gerwig's Career: From Indie to Blockbuster
Greta Gerwig’s career is an example for all aspiring filmmakers, as her journey from low-budget Indie to the big leagues and blockbuster budgets is an inspiring success story. Gerwig has been acting since she was a child, but really made her mark as an indie darling with the film, Hannah Takes the Street, in 2006. She’s since played the game exceptionally well, making big hits at every stage of her career.
Many blockbuster franchise filmmakers have made the leap from low-budget indies to big-budget tentpole films. In recent years, the lack of mid-budget films has led directors to pursue opportunities in the big leagues. However, it can rob them of the chance to develop their craft while maintaining a unique point of view. Filmmakers like Jordan Peele have taken their time to develop their distinctive voices.
Gerwig, on the other hand, has played the game exceptionally well. Here’s how she built her career from the ground up and moved up and up in budget, without losing her voice along the way.
Starting Small
Gerwig gained acting experience as a child, but her career really began in earnest in 2006 with the film, Hannah Takes the Street. The movie was made on a low budget and was not a major hit, but it gave Gerwig the opportunity to learn on the job, playing a variety of roles.
Gerwig’s first acting role was actually in an episode of The Sopranos at just seven years of age, but she didn’t begin to carve out a niche for herself as a mumblecore heroine until her twenties. Mumblecore is a low-budget indie genre that often eschews traditional narrative in favor of dialogue-driven films.
Gerwig’s acting chops were clear from the beginning, and she was praised for her dramatic turn in Hannah Takes the Street. She also gained valuable on-set experience which she would use over and over again in her career.
Making Her Mark
Gerwig would go on to play supporting roles in numerous films, but her solo directorial debut, Lady Bird, was a critical and commercial success. The movie earned Oscar nominations and solidified Gerwig as a director to watch. She then moved up to the next budget tier.
With her name on the rise, Gerwig was offered the chance to direct an adaptation of Little Women. There was no doubt that the movie would be highly anticipated, given its source material and Gerwig’s previous success. However, it also represented a significant leap in production value and budget.
Both Lady Bird and Little Women were critical hits, demonstrating that Gerwig had the chops to make a movie on any budget level. She was also able to navigate her previous experiences to reach new heights without losing her voice.
Now, Gerwig has solidified herself in the blockbuster budget level. Her next film, Barbie, is a major step up in terms of production value and scale. The fact that the film is tracking to be the biggest hit of Gerwig’s career so far makes it likely that the film will also receive recognition from the Academy.
Gerwig’s career is a shining example of how patience and experience pay off. She has been acting since she was a child and has made smart moves throughout her career, learning from her mistakes and always growing as an artist. If you’re stuck in a rut, take some inspiration from Gerwig and do your best to keep moving forward.
