Megan Park is somewhat conflicted about the emotional impact her film is having on viewers, causing intense tears rather than just the occasional sniffle.
She did not initially intend for “My Old Ass,” which is currently available on Prime Video, to be a source of such heavy emotional response. Instead, she aimed to create a narrative that intertwines the lives of a young woman and her older self. The movie balances humor—with witty exchanges between 18-year-old Elliott and her nearly 40-year-old counterpart, portrayed during a humorous mushroom-induced experience that results in a quirky Justin Bieber cover—and significant emotional depth.
Park’s process often involves writing as a means of navigating her own feelings. While developing “My Old Ass,” she found herself as a new mother temporarily residing in her childhood home during the pandemic. A family night spent under one roof made her realize it could be a rarity, leading her to contemplate how it feels to know such moments are finite.
In the film, the older version of Elliott, played by Aubrey Plaza, shares insights with her younger self, portrayed by Maisy Stella. The advice includes cherishing her family and hometown while juggling the desire for independence. Furthermore, she warns against becoming involved with a boy named Chad, whom the younger Elliott soon finds appealing.
At the age of 38, Park is on the brink of her filmmaking journey, following the release of her directorial debut, “The Fallout,” starring Jenna Ortega as a teen dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. This project experienced an unexpected pandemic release, leading to a surreal transition into the industry. However, it garnered the attention of LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company run by Margot Robbie, which reached out for further creative discussions.
“They really encouraged me to pursue my ideas,” stated Park, describing LuckyChap as a nurturing environment without ego or hierarchy. She was given the freedom to cast Stella first, allowing her vision to grow organically rather than starting with a bigger name, a departure from traditional expectations.
Park’s evolution into writing and directing followed a two-decade career in acting. Originating from a small Canadian town, she always had a passion for the arts despite lacking industry connections. Early successes in acting allowed her to appear in films like “Charlie Bartlett” and TV series such as “Life with Derek” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” It was on the latter that she formed a meaningful friendship with actress Shailene Woodley and began sensing a shift in her own aspirations.
There wasn’t one defining moment that changed her path, but observing Woodley’s determination for her breakthrough role in “The Descendants” served as a wake-up call for Park. Watching her friend’s intensity and passion made Park reassess her own feelings about acting, realizing it wasn’t her true calling. Instead, she discovered her enthusiasm in writing and directing, initially crafting shorts and music videos for notable artists before transitioning to feature films.
“I didn’t realize that directing and writing films was something I could do as a career,” Park confessed. “I feel fortunate that my acting background gave me an invaluable education on set long before I took on directorial responsibilities.”
As a filmmaker, Park reflects a blend of two contrasting tastes. She enjoys creating “heartfelt and nostalgic” films reminiscent of classics like “My Girl” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” while also having an affinity for understated, female-focused French cinema, particularly works by Céline Sciamma. On her sets, Park cultivates a calm atmosphere, emphasizing that filmmaking is not a life-or-death endeavor.
“I think it’s crucial to maintain this perspective since the intensity of production can be overwhelming,” she explained. “There will always be challenges, but solutions can be found.” Park finds beauty in collaboration, believing her role is to foster an environment where creativity flourishes rather than dictating every detail.
With her unique experiences as an actor, she recognizes the various dynamics present in directing and what different actors might need from her. Her approach to directing has resonated with her cast, as reflected by Stella’s words, expressing a desire for future projects to be helmed by women due to the supportive and inspiring atmosphere Park cultivated during filming.
Reflecting on the nearly year-long journey since “My Old Ass” premiered as a standout film at the Sundance Film Festival, and threading back nearly three years of dedicated effort in its creation, Park is now embarking on new projects, including another film while managing the joys of motherhood with her young children.
“Initially, I didn’t expect audiences to connect with the film on such a profound level,” she remarked. “The response has been both surreal and beautiful, a little overwhelming to truly process.”