Steal Me : THE STORY OF STEAL ME


Steal Me is writer/director Melissa Painter’s third feature film, and her evolution as an artist is an exciting thing to witness. Although the film exemplifies Painter’s attention to detail and insight into human behavior, it is also marked by a sense of freedom and spontaneity. “This project was spontaneous in so many ways,” says Painter, “from the creation of the script, to choosing the locations; it was a very organic process. I’ve been lucky enough to work with producers who trusted me enough to give me that kind of creative freedom.”

One of the most compelling aspects of Steal Me is the casting, as several of the roles were written with specific actors in mind, giving the film its sense of authenticity and cohesion. For example, the role of Grace was created especially for Toby Poser (The Incredible Adventure of Two Girls in Love, Guiding Light), while the Lily Rose character was written for Paz de la Heurta (Cider House Rules, Chelsea Walls), both of whom Painter had worked with in the past.

Steal Me also features some notable performances by teen actors. The role of Jake went to newcomer Danny Alexander, who was only 15 when the film was shot, while Hunter Parrish, who plays Tucker, was just 17. The two boys come from very different worlds, Los Angeles and Texas respectively, which only served to make their on-screen dynamic even more believable. “In preparing for this role, I spent time in some pretty seedy parts of Los Angeles,” says Alexander, “and it really gave me a feel for the character. Hanging out with prostitutes and drug dealers helped me understand where Jake had come from.”

Parrish, on the other hand, was able to draw from his upbringing in Virginia and Texas to breathe life into the character of Tucker. “Although this isn’t my first film,” says Parrish, “getting used to carrying a scene was probably the biggest challenge for me. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I learned the give-and-take of the process quickly, thanks to Melissa’s skillful direction.” Parrish was a natural, blending in perfectly with the small town culture.

Shot entirely on location in Livingston, Montana, much of it on a fifth generation cattle ranch, the cinematography is one of the films most striking elements. Working on an ambitious 24-day shooting schedule, cinematographer Paul Ryan effortlessly captures the lonely beauty of the area, having shot two films there prior to Steal Me as Second Unit DP (A River Runs Through It, The Horse Whisperer). He makes generous use of natural lighting, giving the characters a warmth and realness that reflects their rural lifestyle.

That warmth is further enhanced by Jim Thomas’ haunting score. When Painter saw the surf film Mavericks, she was struck first by the soundtrack, which featured The Mermen, led by founder Thomas. The Austin Chronicle’s Raoul Hernandez calls him “a musical savant… the sounds he hears in his head, and his ability to capture them on tape, are genius." Thomas had previously contributed music to a short film by Painter, which led to their collaboration on Steal Me.

Rounded out by the superb editing of Melissa Bretherton (Ancor Man, Self Storage) and the skillful production design of Andrea Soeiro (Wildflowers), Steal Me was truly a collaborative effort. Like any independent production, however, there were occasional obstacles to overcome, such as wondering if there would be enough film to finish the days’ shoot. “There were a few roadblocks during the making of this film,” says Painter, “but I am older now, and have a better sense of humor than I used to.”