Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1532181
EMERALD CITY: Ariana Grande with the cast of "Wicked." P H OT O : U N I V E R S A L P I C T U R E S 'Ultimately, this movie is about a relationship, and it's about the greatest love story that's ever been told.' 27 S P R I N G Q 1 I S S U E F E A T U R E tion is so important. Not every director and/or picture editor fights for that and makes sure it happens, but that was definitely part of the agenda from the beginning: this is a team, a family, and we're all going to be here together. Nugent Title: We resisted this at first because we have these amazing studios at Warner Brothers where we're based, but we set up remote systems there so we could go back and forth, and it ended up being fantastic. I was working so closely with the music department whose music editors were there. We're in the same building, so we can walk down the hall to ask "Hey, what are we doing here? How are we crossing over here?" You're in the conversation constantly, whereas traditionally, sound is exiled to our own location and we get information unexpectedly, like "Oh, a new reel showed up in our inbox." That constant dialogue made the team cohesive, and that worked for the film. CineMontage: What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing the films? Kerstein: "Wicked" is a very special film. It's not just a musical fantasy, [a] skip in the park. It's a movie that re-engages with the audience. It has what Jon and I loved about growing up and going to the movies: It's a fulfilling, immersive experience. U l t i m a t e l y, t h i s m o v i e i s a b o u t a relationship, and it's about the greatest love story that's ever been told. Powerful emotions that swept us off our feet made us fall in love with movies. I think we captured a bit of that in "Crazy Rich Asians," and I think we captured a little of that in "In The Heights," but I think we really have the goods here with "Wicked." Nugent Title: It's a joyful film about the power of women, of sisterhood and friend- ship and what these women can accomplish together. I love that. I have two daughters. I hope when it comes out, people will walk away with a big smile on their face. ■ This interview has been edited for length and clarity.