Filmmakers on Site: The Spectacular Now's James Ponsoldt and Billy Rosenberg
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Filmmakers on Site: The Spectacular Now's James Ponsoldt and Billy Rosenberg

jamesponsoldt
James Ponsoldt

On July 11, the Walker got a first look at The Spectacular Now, with director James Ponsoldt on site to answer audience questions about the film after a preview screening. The film has a local connection: co-producer Billy Rosenberg, who was also here for the premier, grew up in the Twin Cities. The movie is about a charismatic troublemaker teen growing up in Athens, Georgia, Ponsoldt’s own hometown; in his introduction to the film, Ponsoldt likened the film’s rebellious protagonist to his 18-year-old self. Rosenberg compared himself to the protagonist’s geekier best friend—as he put it, still a troublemaker, but “one who doesn’t get caught.”

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James Ponsoldt (director), Anne Labovitz (Walker board member), and Sheryl Mousley (Walker film curator) at the post-screening reception.
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Steve Rubin, Billy Rosenberg, Wendy Rubin
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Friends of Rosenberg, including Max Orenstein (left) and Michael Stanfield (far right) celebrate with the producer’s proud sister, Anne (in yellow)
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Susan White (Walker board member, left) with two friends

 

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