Phoebe Bridgers talked about making her acting debut in Primetime on Saturday when the Robert Pattinson-starring film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
At the press conference for the film — based on To Catch a Predator and its host Chris Hansen — it was revealed that Bridgers and Primetime director Lance Oppenheim were already friends prior to filming; Oppenheim recently helmed Bridgers' video for “Lost Boys.â€
When it came to casting the role, Oppenheim mentioned Bridgers to Pattinson. “I didn't even know Lance and Phoebe were friends,†Pattinson said at the press conference (via Variety). “When [Oppenheim] suggested her, I was like ‘Phoebe Bridgers? Why don't we just get the queen?'â€Â
“It was certainly super intimidating and when Lance asked me, I was like, ‘No way,'†Bridgers added. “But it 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 like so fun and free.â€
Bridgers said of acting for the first time. “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?â€
Pattinson also applauded Bridgers' performance as one of the To Catch a Predator decoys. “She's unbelievable,†he said. “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.â€
In addition to making her acting debut, Bridgers also co-composed Primetime‘s score and contributed the end credits song.
Oppenheim, who was friends with Bridgers before she became a famous musician, previously talked about casting the musician in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“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,†Oppenheim said. “With how she's able to use her voice in different environments, I kept thinking, ‘That's exactly what a decoy would do.' I remember texting her like, ‘This is so random, but I think you are perfect for this part,' and she responded, ‘I don't really act, I've never done it, I don't know how.' â€
