Laura Dern's Bold Move for Blue Velvet
How Laura Dern Chose Hollywood Over Higher Education for David Lynch's Iconic Film
Greetings, Film Enthusiasts! Come back to the place where we reveal the untold tales of Hollywood’s biggest movies. Today, we are going to reveal a rather interesting fact from the life of one of the most beloved actresses of the Hollywood film industry, Laura Dern.
With her outstanding ability to captivate the audience and naturally gorgeous looks, Dern was on course to become an A-list starlet but not without a few life’s plot twists. I will explain the features of her transition to the moment when she decided to drop out of college for the sake of art and the movie Blue Velvet.
The Ultimatum: College or Career?
During the middle of 1984, Laura Dern was at the worst stage of her career and confused at what step to take next. In her interview, she was pursuing her university education at the University of California, Los Angeles commonly referred to as UCLA while at the same time pursuing her acting career.
Sunshine Dern has always shown interest in acting from a tender age despite being of age to follow her parents’ footsteps, Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd-both renowned actors. Nevertheless, she appreciated the craft in her bones and still wanted to have an education, which is why Dern was a dedicated student.
But that was not to be for the fate intervened. Some of the most mysterious films have been directed by David Lynch and he had sought Dern to act in his next movie Blue Velvet. It was a special role for her and the position could have launched a new start and a new level for her career. But there was a catch: which she could only accept when she dropped out of college to attend to it.
A Leap of Faith
When Lynch gave her an option to either stop acting like a cellmate or leave the prison, Dern was at a crossroads. Should she complete her college education or should this be a once in a lifetime chance for her to work with one of the brightest directors in the Industry? This was one of the most painful decisions of a man and needed much courage to come to such a decision.
Families of Dern also knew that it is a big decision in the life of a person and thus encouraged her to pursue the dream. Following their advice, she made up her mind to go ahead and do it. It was a big gamble that leaving college was, however, Dern had faith in her talent and in the capacity of the movie that was to be made. This was a rather daring decision that would later define this actress’s career.
Filming Blue Velvet
Acting in Blue Velvet was quite an exciting opportunity for Dern to become the part of the film’s cast. The movie itself was made in 1986, and it falls into the subgenres of neo-noir mystery thriller and is set in an initially picture-perfect American suburb. Dern portrayed Sandy Williams, one of the high school students that gets involved in the evil plot of the movie as the main character Jeffrey Beaumont played by Kyle MacLachlan.
The collaboration with David Lynch was interesting and rather difficult at the same time. Specifically, it can be stated that Lynch as a director with rather specific style and love for surrealism as well as unconventional perspective on screenplays defied Dern as an actress. Many of the scenes in the expositional movie are provocative and visceral, which presupposes certain stamina and sensitivity that Dern has not experienced on set before.
The Impact of Blue Velvet
Blue Velvet was approved by critics as well as the audience and became one of the cult movies. It was generally appreciated for its mature narrative with shocking elements that are felt in its visual style and direction by David Lynch. Dern got great reviews for her work and she rightfully deserved to be noticed and become one of the great Hollywood actresses.
Success in the film helped Dern open many doors to him. It would also be the start of the much longer working relationship with David Lynch who cast her in other bigger projects like Wild at Heart and Inland Empire. More significantly, it enhanced her image as an actress who was ready to go out of her comfort zone and give her best for a movie role.
Reflections on the Journey
Above all, watching the show, Dern can now recognize the relevance of that life-changing choice to leave the college. Obviously, it was a lucky choice with which she was able to create her unique niche within the film business. This shooting in *Blue Velvet* taught her important lessons of trusting one’s instincts and the outcome of taking risks in the course of embracing one’s dreams.
Source: Park Circus
Share Your Thoughts!
What do you think about Laura Dern’s decision of dropping out of college for *Blue Velvet*? Do you have similar decisions in your own life, situations at which you are up for choice as well? Please feel free to share your views or some stories you know of relating to this. Post them in the comment section below this article and use the conversation as a reference in your writing.
That’s a wrap for today’s deep dive into the making of Blue Velvet and the remarkable journey of Laura Dern. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories and industry insights. Until next time, keep the passion for film alive and kicking!
