January10,2013

HereIsWhatHappensWhenYouCast LindsayLohaninYourMovie
BySTEPHENRODRICK

LindsayLohanmovesthroughtheChateauMarmontasifsheownstheplace,butina debtorprisonkindofway.Shellsoonowethehotel$46,000.Headsturnsubtlyasshe slinkstowardatabletomeetayoungproducerandanolddirector.Theactresssmother, DinaLohan,sitsatthenexttable.Momsweepsblondhairbehindherearandtriesto eavesdrop.Afewtablesaway,adistinguishedlookingmiddleagedmanpatientlywaitsfor theactress.Hehasastackofpresentsforher. Lohansitsdown,smilesandskipsthesmalltalk. Hi,howareyou?IwontplayCynthia.IwanttoplayTara,thelead.BraxtonPopeand PaulSchradernodhappily.Theydbeentippedoffbyheragentthatthiswashowitwas goingtogo.Theytellherthatsoundslikeagreatidea. Schraderthinksshesperfectfortherole.Noteveryoneagrees.SchraderwroteRaging BullandTaxiDriverandhasdirected17films.Still,somefearLohanwillendhim. Therehavebeenhousearrests,carcrashesandingestedwhitepowders.Hisowndaughter begshimnottouseher.Acastingdirectorfriendstopstheirconversationwheneverhe mentionshername.Andthentheresthefilmsexplicitsubjectmatter.Fullnudityandlots ofsex.DefinitelyNC17.Hiswife,theactressMaryBethHurt,didntevenfinishthescript, dismissingitaspornographyafter50pages.Shecouldntunderstandwhyhewanteditso badly. ButSchraderwasrunningoutofchances.Hislastmajoropportunitywasaboutadecade ago,whenhewaspickedtodirectarebootofTheExorcist.Hetoldaninterviewer,IfI dontcompletelyscrewthatup,itmightbepossibleformetoendmycareerstandingon myownfeetratherthangrovelingforcoins.Afewmonthslater,hewasreplacedbythe blockbusterdirectorRennyHarlin,whoreshotthefilm.RennyHarlin!Schraderisnow65 andstillbeggingforcoins. Pope,dressedinacheckedshirtandskinnytie,lookslikeaproducer.Hisfingersare constantly,frantically,scanninghisiPhone.Inthefallof2011,heconnectedSchraderwith

BretEastonEllis,whosegrislysatiresbroughthimearlynotorietyandwhohadlately MOREINMAGAZ turnedtoscreenwriting.ThethreeweresettomakeBait,asharkthriller,basedona HowLaura screenplayElliswrote,buttheSpanishfinancingvaporized.Schradersuggestedtheydo SnowdenS ReadMore somethingonthecheapthatdidntlookcheap.PopeworkedhisconnectionswithLohans

agent,andthatswhysheissittinghereonthisspringday. Ellisisnoticeablyabsent,holeduplessthanamileawaywagingoneofhisfrequentTwitter wars.(HehasmountedsocialmediajihadsagainstDavidFosterWallace,J.D.Salingerand KathrynBigelow.)HethinksLohaniswrongforthepart,especiallyifshescastopposite thepornstarhecourtedonline.Buthespentallhiscapitalgettinghismancast.Also,his condoisunderwater.Elliswillgivein. Schrader,PopeandLohantalkdetails.Thefilm,TheCanyons,hasamicrobudget,maybe $250,000.Ellis,PopeandSchraderareputtingup$30,000apiece.Therestwillberaised onKickstarterwithpromisesofcameos,scriptreviewsandforthelow,lowpriceof $10,000themoneyclipthatRobertDeNirogaveSchraderonthesetofTaxiDriver. Therewillbenostudiolookingovertheirshouldersofferingidiotnotes.Theactresswill get$100adayandanequalshareoftheprofits,butnovoteindecisionmaking.Thislast clauseisnonnegotiable. Schradergoesoversomegroundrules;notrailersonsetandonecontractuallyobligated, fourwaysexscene.Oh,anotherthing,Schraderadds:hewillnottrytosleepwithher.This wasprobablyamorerelevantpointin1982,butnomatter.Lohanstandsupandsays goodbye,tellingeveryonehowexcitedsheistobeworkingwiththem.Sheleavesthe restaurant,followedbyhermotherandthemysteriousmanwiththepresents. Backatthetable,Popestraightenshistieandexhales.HeturnstoSchrader andasksa simplequestion. Whatdoyouthink? Schraderknowsheshouldbeterrified,buthesasgiddyasthesonofdourCalvinistscan be. Ithinkthisisgoingtowork. IfSchraderwasntworriedaboutLohansreputation,itmightbebecauseheisfamiliar withdysfunction.Asaboy,hismothershowedhimwhathellfeltlikebyshovinganeedle intohisthumb.HisfatherlobbiedtopreventTheLastTemptationofChrist,afilmhis sonwrote,fromplayingintheirhometown,GrandRapids,Mich.Afterhisfatherdied, SchraderfoundthatheownedVHStapesofallofhisfilms,butnoneofthemhadbeen opened.Inhis20s,Schradersleptwithagununderhispillowbecausehecouldfallasleep onlyifheknewtherewasawayout.Nowhenevertravelswithoutthousandsofdollarsin thecurrencyofhalfadozencountries. SchraderisconvincedhecanmanageLohan.Hethinkshehasseenitall.Thirtyyearsago, hedirectedanalcoholicGeorgeC.ScottinHardcore.Oneday,Scottwouldntcomeout

ofhistrailer.HecalledSchraderintohisboozesoakedsanctuary. Youreagreatscreenwriterbuttheworldsworstgoddamneddirector,Scottsaid. Promisemeyoullneverdirectanothermovie,andIllcomeout.Schraderdroppedtohis kneesandpromised.Afewweekslater,ScottreadinthetradesthatSchraderwasgoingto directAmericanGigolo.NexttimehesawSchrader,hebellowed,Yourealiar. Itwastrue,Schraderhadbrokenhispromise,butthiswasHollywood.Manipulating someonelikeScottorLohanwashisvocation.Still,itwouldntbeeasy.Attheir secondmeeting,LohancomplainedtoSchraderaboutabiopicshewasshootingfor Lifetime,inwhichsheplayedElizabethTaylor,oneofherrolemodels.Sheproclaimedthe directorajerk,hercostaranightmareandthecrewunfriendly.Onitwent.Schrader listenedforawhile.Helookedstricken.Hesoftlytappedhisbaldingheadonthetable. Lohanaskedhimwhatwasthematter. Thatsgoingtobemeintwomonths.Youregoingtoturnonme. Theactresstouchedhisarmsoftly.Cmon,Paul.Thatwonthappen. Hechosetobelieveher.Thatsummer,hedevelopedapetlinetosteelthelessbrave. Wedonthavetosaveher,Schradersaid.Wejusthavetogetherthroughthreeweeksin July. Amonthlater,SchraderwouldbestandingnakedinaMalibubedroom,missinghisdogs andtryingtocoaxLohanoutofherrobe. Turnsoutthreeweekscanbeaverylongtime. IfirstmetSchraderin2009whilehewastryingtogetacombinedBollywood HollywoodthrillerstarringLeonardoDiCapriomade.Thisisthefutureoffilmmaking, SchradertoldmeoverlunchinManhattan.Globalfinancing.TheAmericanmarketis tappedout. ButtheIndianmoneydriedup,andDiCapriolostinterest.Thefilmslippedaway.By2011, Schrader,whobuilthiscareeronmakingmoviesaboutdarkloners,wasconvincedthat traditionalfinancingforthefilmshelikedtomakewasgoneforever,alongwiththe audiencewillingtodrivefivemilesandpay$12towatchtheminadraftyarthouse.Well, theaudiencewasstillthere,buttheywereathome.Hethoughthisfuturelayinpictures thatwouldnotonlyplayindietheatersbutalsobeavailableonvideoondemandthesame day.RecentmovieslikeBachelorette,withKirstenDunst,andArbitrage,aRichard Gerethriller,madeacomfortableprofitthatway.Schraderhopedtofollowthatmodel,but onaskimpierbudget.HewrotehistwopartnersamanifestoofsortslastJanuary:

Thescripthastobemulticharactered,relationshipbased,fullofsharpdialogue,setin contemporarylocationsandhaveacertainoutrvalue....Cinemafortheposttheatrical era....Wecouldattractinterestingactorsandcreateaprofileforthefilmviasocialmedia. Itwouldbesomethingthatweown. LikeSchrader,Elliswasatacrossroads.Afterhisearlysuccesses,LessThanZeroand AmericanPsycho,Ellissbookshadntsoldaswell,andtiredofthenovelasanartform, hemovedtoL.A.,lookingtobreakintomovies.Butnothinghadgoneintoproduction recently,andhewasitchingtogetsomethingmade.Hewenttoworkonthescriptwhile Popestrategized. Schradercouldtalkagoodgame,butitwasPopewhowouldhavetoimplementtheplan. PopesuggestedmakingTheCanyonsthemostopenfilmever.Therewouldbedaily Facebookupdates,andthecastwouldbemadeupentirelyofactorsselectedfromaudition tapessenttothemoviesWebsite.Popearguedthatthispopulistapproachcouldbe appliedtofinancingaswell.HeexplainedKickstartertoSchrader:alltheyhadtodowas comeupwithsomegoodprizes,andkidsofallageswouldpledgemoneyonlinetobe associatedwithartistoutlawslikeSchraderandEllis.Soon,thefilmwasofferingdonorsa Schraderscriptcritiquefor$5,001andaweekworkingoutwithEllisandhistrainerfor $3,000.Inamonth,theyraisedmorethan$150,000. Elliscrankedoutafirstdraftinsixweeks.HehadrecentlybecomefascinatedwithJames Deen,a26yearoldknownasthePornStarNextDoor.Deen,whoserealnameisBryan MatthewSevilla,istheJewishsonofPasadenarocketscientists really.His4,000films havegainedhimacultoffemalefansbecauseheiswellendowedandsensitive.ButEllis didntseeDeenasharmless.HewrotethescriptwithDeeninhisheadfortheroleof Christian,aclassicEllissociopathictrustfunder,convincedtherewasadevilbehindthe Jewishboynextdoorcuteguy. EllissChristianlikedtobringmenandwomentohisMalibumansionforsexwithTara,his emotionallyandeconomicallydependentgirlfriend.ChristianandTarawouldbecaughtin asordidtrianglewithRyan,anotbrightbutcunningprettyboyactor.Therewouldbesex andamurderandmoresex. EllisandDeenexchangedflirtytweetsashewroteandthetwometfordinneratSoho HouseinLosAngeles.Afterward,ElliswasevenmoreconvincedthatDeenwasperfectfor Christian.Schraderhadhisdoubts,concernedabouttryingtobreakbadhabitslearned overthousandsofpornmovies.Elliscounteredthattheotheractorsreadthepartwitha certaincampiness;onlyDeenreaditwiththecorrectmalevolence.Eventually,Schrader showedtapesofthethreefinaliststohiswifeattheirupstateNewYorkhome.Hurttold herhusbandthatDeenwastheone.

Aroundthesametime,PopereachedouttoLohan.Elliswasskeptical,afraidofthe melodramaLohanwouldbringtotheproject.ButPopeandSchraderremindedEllisof whathesaidinanessayforTheDailyBeastthepreviousyear:Do[Americans]reallywant manners?Civility?Empirecourtesy?No.Theywantreality,nomatterhowcrazytheceleb whobringsitonhasbecome. ElliswasriffingonCharlieSheen,butitcouldhavebeenLohan.Thefirstchildofadrug abusing,feloniousstocktraderandafaileddancer,LohansurvivedherLongIsland childhood,movedtoHollywoodandbecameAmericasnewestsweetheartwithwinning turnsinTheParentTrapandMeanGirls.Shecutanalbumthatwentplatinum.In 2006,shewasthebestthinginRobertAltmansPrairieHomeCompanion.Thefuture washerstowrite. Then asthevoiceoverinanE!TrueHollywoodStorywouldputititallfellapart. Bigbudgetfilmsneedinsuranceincaseanactressdiesorbecomesincapacitatedandcant goonwitharole.Lohansmisadventuresmadeheruninsurable,herworkdriedupandshe settledinasagenerationssnarkypunchline. ButPopethoughtthetalentwasstillthere.(ShewouldmakeitthroughLizandDick,a Lifetimemovie,withtheparamedicshavingtobecalledonlyonceduringtheshoot.This wasprogress.)Besides,TheCanyonswassolowbudgetthattheydidntneedinsurance. Ifshedisappeared,Pope,EllisandSchraderwouldsimplylosetheirstake. Lohanhelpedhercausebyagreeingtoascreentest.YoucouldseeplayingTarawouldntbe astretchforher.Thelargegreeneyesthatreadcuteadecadeagonowconveyedcornered desperation.Ofcourse,castingtwoknownquantitiesblewuptheanyonecanwin,D.I.Y. ethosoftheproject,butnobodyaskedforhismoneyback. AfewmonthsaftertheChateauMarmontmeeting,thecastgatheredatPrettybirdstudios inCulverCityforthefirstreadthroughofthescript.AttheheadofthetablewasSchrader, withEllistohisleft.Popesatatthefarend.Theactorsfilteredinandtooktheirseats. Therewasjustonemissing:Lohan. Schraderwelcomedeveryoneandthenopenedwith:Lindsaysaidshecouldntmakeit today,andItoldherthatwasfine,butIhaveanactressinPariswaitingbythephone.He paused,andtheroomtittered.Shesonherway. Killingtime,Deenkeptlookingathisphone.Meanwhile,NolanFunkapompadoured Canadiancasttoplaytheweaklinkinthefilmslovetrianglescrunchedhisbrowand readthescriptquietlytohimself.About20minuteslater,Lohanarrivedwithatiny assistantintow.Shesmilednervouslyandtookherseat,adjustingherfloralpeasantshirt, rattlingherbangles.

Hi,everybody. Schradergaveheranimpatientpaternallookandthenstartedtalkingaboutthefilm.But EllisandFunkweredistracted.Acrossthetable,Funkcouldseethathisnamehadbeen crossedoutinLohansscriptandunderneathwerethenamesofthreeorfouractorsas possiblereplacements.EllissawthatDeensnamealsohadalinethroughit. Lohansprivatedoubtsdidnotdiminishherpublicenthusiasm.Shehadathousand thoughtsonTara.Schradermentionedthecharacterwasafailedactress. Rejectionforanactressisformative. Lohansnortedalaugh. Well,itsnothinglikegoingtojail,Icantellyouthat. TheusuallypokerfacedElliscrackedawrysmile. Well,thatsalsoformative. Schradermentionedthathewasstilltryingtocastapsychiatrist,asmallbutpivotalrole. IcalledJeffGoldblumandWillemDafoe.Theyrenotavailable.So,anyideas? Lohansquealedandsaid,HowaboutJared? Schradernoddedapprovingly. JaredHarris? No,JaredLeto. Popegrimaced.(SchradereventuallycastGusVanSant.) Around3,Schradersaidthatwasenoughfortheday.Lohanboltedoutofherchairand headedoutsideforasmoke.Shewasquitepale,herskinnotonspeakingtermswith daylight.Butshewasexcitedtobeworking. Ivemissedthissomuch,shesaidbetweenpuffs.Hervoicewasanicotinesoakedrasp. Iminagoodplacenow.ImeanitsBretEastonEllisandPaulSchrader!Itsadream. Whenitsdone,Iwanttogosomewherefaraway,maybeAfrica.Uganda?Butrightnowall Iwanttodoiswork,work. Lohanoozedadrenalineandchatteredonwithaselflaceratingsenseofhumor.(Sheowns coastersthatsay,Iusedtoworry,butnowIhaveapillforthat.)Shetalkedofarecent photoshootwhereshewasaskedtowearstripes.SheshiftedintoherbestJoanRivers

imitation. Isaid,Hello,stripesafterjail,sonotagoodidea! Afewminuteslater,shesaidgoodbyeandhobbledinheelstowardherrentedPorsche. Thenshedisappearedforafewdays. Filmingwasscheduledtostartinlessthanaweek,soSchraderarrangedforDeenand LohantomeethimatPrettybirdtomapoutthemoviessexscenes.Lohancanceledthe firstdaybutpromisedshedbetherethenextmorning,aSunday.Shenevershowed. SchraderandPopetextedandleftmessagesonherphone.Therewasnoanswer.Schrader thoughtaboutwhatheshoulddo.Rightnow,hehadtheupperhand;therereallywasan actresswaitinginParis.Butoncetheystartedshooting,hedlosethepower.Lohancould holdtheentireproductionhostage.Sohefiredher. HewentbacktohisroomattheOrlandoHotelinBeverlyHillsandleftittoPopeto deliverthebadnews.PopefinallyreachedLohan,tellinghershewasdone.Lohanbeganto cryandbeggedforanotherchance.PopetoldherthatSchraderhadmadeuphismind. LohanheadedfortheOrlando.ShepoundedondoorsuntilshefoundSchradersroom.As shebangedonhisdoor,shetextedhimmanically.Schradercouldhearhercryingbut wouldntletherin.Hetextedherinstead. Lindsay,gohome. Thehotelmanagerranguptoaskifheshouldcallthecops.Schradertoldhimnoandsat downonhisbed.Lohanstayedoutinthehallsobbingforanother90minutesbeforeshe finallyleft. Eventually,thedirectorcalledPopeandaskedhimtogathereveryoneatPrettybirdto watchLohansandtheFrenchactresssscreentestsagain.EveryoneagreedthatLohanwas exponentiallybetter.Schraderdecidedhedgiveheronemorechance. SomeintheproductionthoughtthiswasSchradersendgameallalong:astrategytoget herbackinline.Thatnight,Pope,LohanandSchradermetattheChurchill,abaratthe Orlando.AwaiterbroughtthemdrinkscoffeeforLohan,aManhattanforSchrader,a vodkasodaforPope.Apallsettledoverthetable.Finally,Schraderpickeduphisglass. Ineedadrink! Lohanlaughedandwipedtearsfromhereyes.Sheexplainedthatshemissedthemeetingat PrettybirdbecauseshehadbeendiscussingthescriptwithNolanFunkuntil3a.m.and thentookasleepingpill.Schraderlaiddownthelaw:onemoremeltdown,andshewas

gone.Ifshethoughtshewasunhirablenow,waituntilhethrewheroffamicrobudget. SchraderthoughtLohansweaknesswasntdrugs althoughhecounseledheronthemath ofwhentotakesleepaidsbutfearofbeingalone.Sheneededpeopleandchaosaround her24/7.Theideaofbeingbyherselfscaredthehelloutofher. Thenextday,Lohanarrivedrelativelyontimeforamakeuptest.Shesatbehindatable withacanofSprite,lookedintothecameraandflashedawholesomesmilethatwouldnot havebeenoutofplaceintheworldsbestsodacommercial.Schradergrabbedmyarmand pointedatLohansimage. See?Thatswhyweputupwithallthecrap.Youcanshootbadmovieswithactresseswho arealwaysontime.Butlook!Therestisjustnoise. Buttherewasalwaysnoise.Afewdayslater,filmingstartedat3a.m.attheplushbar attachedtotheChateauMarmont,whichPopehadscoredfree.Itwasntaneasyfirstday. Thescenewastheopeningsixminutesofthemovie,andtherewastoomuchexposition andnotenoughaction.ButPopehadanotherconcern. Hermakeuplookslikeitsfromadifferentmovie. Itwastrue;LohansvisagehadaKabukiqualitytoit.Shehadchosentowearlayersof mascaraandcatlikeeyemakeupwithblacklinespointingouttowardherears.Beforethe shoot,PopeshowedLohanPolaroidsofherlookingbeautifulwithminimalmakeup. Look,ourinterestisinmakingyoulookgreat,Popetoldher.Youlookbeautifulwith justalittlemakeup. ButLohanwastryingtoputherpixieishDisneydaysbehindherandthoughttheCourtney Loveapproachmadeherlookhip. Popeletitgo.Therewereonlysomanybattlesyoucouldfight. ThetrickofTheCanyonswastomakea$250,000movielooklikea$10million movie.Fortunately,Schradersreputationinspiredthekindsofdonationssomeone straightoutoffilmschoolwasunlikelytoget.OneKickstarterdonorgave$10,000tothe productionandanother$10,000toadesignersothatSchradercouldusehisbeautiful houseintheMalibuhillsforfilming.Itwasasignificantbreak;thehousewasastately pleasuredomewithgiantpicturewindows,astairwayleadingtoapoolandasweeping viewtothesea. ItquicklybecamethemostdependableplayerinthefilmafterJamesDeen.Onthefirstday ofshootinginMalibu,Deenawshuckedhiswayaroundthepredominantlymalecrew.He wasntabigman;maybe58and150pounds,buttheyregardedhimwithwonder.Atlunch,

acrewmemberaskedthequestiononeveryonesmind. Man,howmanywomenhaveyouhadsexwith? Deenjustlaughedandsheepishlyscratchedhishead. Dude,Ihavenoidea.Seriously. Deenhasworkedinallaspectsofporn:producing,directingandacting.Asateenager,he learnedtobecomfortableperformingforacrowdbygettingfreakywithagirlinfrontof hisfriendsbeforemovingintoanotherroom,asawayofgettingcomfortablewithhaving sexinpublic.Oncehebeganworking,hetookprideinbeingprofessional:hewasnever late,andhisbehaviorwasalwaysfastidious.(Hecouldbeseenonsetmakingsurethe garbagebagswerecorrectlyhuggingthetrashcanlids.)Buttherewasacertainloneliness abouthim.Hetoldmethathislawyer,abeardedGandalfianfigure,wasoneofhisbest friends.OntheCanyonsset,hewasthesolecastmemberwhoneverhadpalsstopby. OnlyLohanhadavisitoronthatfirstMalibuday.ItwasSteveHonig,herpublicist,a stubby,baldmaninadenimshirt.HetoldSchraderhavingareporteronsetwas unacceptable.SchradertoldHonigthatheunderstoodandthatifhewantedtopullLohan fromthemovie,heshoulddoso.Honigbackeddown.HonigandItalkedforafewminutes whilethecrewwaitedforthemarinelayertolift. IdontwantthistobeallaboutLindsaybeinglate,Honigsaid.Actressesarealways late.JuliaRobertsislate. Afewhourslater,theproductionbrokeforlunch.Lohanannouncedshewantedtograba bitesomewhereonthePacificCoastHighway.ThisconcernedPopeandSchraderthey couldmonitorheronlyaslongastheycouldseehersotheydispatchedthecoproducer, RickyHorneJr.,tochauffeurHonig,Lohanandherassistantstowherevertheywantedto go. Hornedrovethemdownthehill,pausingatasecuritygate.Thatswhenhispassengersdid ajailbreak,jumpingoutofhiscar.Honigfranticallypushedbuttonsuntilthegateopened andthefourofthemdashedforLohansassistantscar.Hornesat,baffledforamoment, beforeheadingbackupthehillandbriefingSchrader.Thedirectorwasfurious. O.K.,sheslosttheprivilegeofleavingforlunch.Shestayshere. Lohanreturned,only15minuteslate,emergingfrommakeuptoanangrySchrader.They spentmuchoftheafternoonarguingaboutcontinuity. Lindsay,youheldthecigaretteupinthelasttake,nowyouhaveitdown.Letsdoit again.

Lohansighed.Nowthatshootinghadbegun,shehadthepower. Sorry,Paul,Iguessyoullhavetofiremeagain. Bymidweek,SchraderandLohanwerelockedinbattle.Oneafternoon,heshotsomeofthe leaduptothemoviespivotalsexscene.Lohanwasnthappy. Ihopeyougotmytriplechinonthatone,Lohansaidtonoonedirectly.Thatshotwas hideous. Laterthatafternoon,itwastimetorehearseafightsceneinwhichChristianphysically confrontsTaraoverinfidelity.SchradertriedtodescribetoDeenhowhewantedhimto throwLohantotheground.Deennoddedandwentthroughthesceneathalfspeed.(Itwas aconstantfrictionpointbetweenthetwoactors,DeenconservinghisenergyandLohan demandingfulleffortinrehearsals.)Afterawhile,SchradercutintoshowDeenwhathe wanted,lightlymovingLohanandturninghertowardthefloor. James,youseethat? Deennodded,butSchraderwasntconvinced.SohegrabbedLohan,trippedheroverhis leftlegandbodyslammedhertothefloor.Lohanscreamed,andthecrewgasped.Butshe bouncedupwithasmile. Thatwasgreat!Wanttodoitagain? Schradersaiditwouldntbenecessary.Thenextmorningtheyfilmedthesceneforreal. Deencametolife;throwingthenegligewearingLohanhardtothegroundandpounding hisfistintoawallwithsuchfuryIwonderedifhehadbrokenhishand.Lohanlayslumped onthefloor,herhandsguardingherface,shouldersshaking,tearspouringdownher cheeks.Betweentakes,shelistenedtoRyanAdamsscoverofWonderwall.Afterthree shots,Schradersaidhewassatisfied,andLohanfumbledforacigarette.Sheheaded downstairs,andsomeonecomplimentedherwork. Well,Ivegotalotofexperiencewiththatfrommydad. Shedidntelaborate,andnooneasked. Thenextnight,theCanyonscrewwascuttoaminimum.Itwastimetofilmthefour way.Thescenecomesatacrucialmomentinthemovie,whentheusuallypassiveTara turnsthetablesonChristianandforceshimoutofhissexualcomfortzone.Filmed incorrectly,thescenemightwinaRazzie.Getitright,andtherestofthefilmwouldclick intoplace. Popefoundtwopornactorstoplaytheotherparticipants.Thewomanwalkedthrough

rehearsalcompletelynaked,braggingthatsherefusedtoconformtopornsnormsand shaveherpubichair.Lohanfreakedout. God,Isodontneedtohearaboutthat. Sheretreatedtoawalkinclosetafewfeetfromthebedwherethescenewouldbeshot. LohanhadjustfiredherassistantandwasnowholedupwithanoldfriendnamedGavin. SchraderwaitedahalfhourandthenwenttoseeifLohanwasreadytoshoot.Gavin explainedthatLohanwasuneasyworkingwithpornstarsandactually,truthbetold,was uneasyworkingwithDeen. Schraderlostit. ThethingthatsgoingtoexplodefromthisfilmisJamesDeen! Lohanscreamedfromthebackofthecloset. ThatswhatImafraidof! Schraderstalkedaway.Hewaitedanotherhour.HewentbacktotalktoLohanagain,this timeasbadcop.Gavinwouldntlethimallthewayin,soheyelledthroughthedoor. Yousignedthecontract.Youknewthiswascoming! Anotherhourpassed,andLohaneventuallymovedtothebedbutwouldntremoveher robe.Schraderworriedthattheearlymorningsunlightwouldbeginstreamingthroughthe house.Hethoughtofsendingeveryonehome.Butthenherealizedthattherewasonething hehadntyettried.Hestrippedoffallofhisclothes.Naked,hewalkedtowardLohan. Lins,Iwantyoutobecomfortable.Cmon,letsdothis. Lohanshrieked. Paul! Popeheardthescreamandranupfromdownstairs.Heturnedacorner,andtherewasa nakedSchrader.Popeletoutawhoaandslowlybackedoutoftheroom. Butthenafunnythinghappened.Lohandroppedherrobe.Schradershoutedaction,and theyfilmedthesceneinone14minutetake.Abouthalfwaythrough,Lohanlookeddirectly intothecameraandflashedadirty,dementedsmileatSchrader.Hesmiledback. Afewminuteslater,Schraderyelledcut.Thecrewpackedup.Popewenttocheckon Lohan.HenoticedthatsheandGavinhadbeendrinking,whichwasunderstandablefora youngwomanshootingasexscenewiththreepornstars.Quietly,PopetoldLohanthathe

couldgetheradrivertotakeherhome.Butsherefused,jumpedintoherPorscheand headeddownthedark,narrowroadtowardtheP.C.H.Theyallhopedtheywouldstillhave aleadactressinthemorning. Thenextevening,around6p.m.,Lohanbarreledbackupthehill.Itwasthelastdaythe productionhadtheMalibuhouse,andtherewerestilltwoessentialscenesleft.Thefirst onewasthemoviesemotionalpayoff:TaraleavingChristianandChristianlettinghergoin exchangeforalethalfavor. Thescenewastobeshotatmagichour,thehourbeforesunset,andasusual,Lohanwas runninglate.Ithadbeenanendlessweekofswitchingdayfornight,andeveryonewason edge,includingDeen.HehadreachedhislimitwithLohan.Duringrehearsal,Deenand SchraderarguedloudlyoverhowDeenwasplayingthescene.AfterDeenremarkedforthe fourthtimethathedisagreedwithhowthesceneunfolded,Schraderscreamedathim. James[expletive]Deen,playthesceneasIgoddamntellyou. Thetwosteppedoutsideandtalkedforaminuteandcamebackinwithsheepishgrins. (LaterDeentoldme,Weyelledateachotherbecausewecouldntyellatthepersonwe bothwantedtoyellat.)LohanshookherheaddisapprovinglyatDeen. Thatsunprofessionaltotreatyourdirectorlikethat.Justverydisrespectful. ThelightfadedwhileLohangavearunningcommentaryonhowthesceneshouldbe played,whichhappenedtobetheexactoppositeofwhatSchraderwanted.Shefinally stoppedtalkingandturnedtothedirector. Paul,howdoyouwanttoplaythis? Schradersighed. Iwashopingtodirectthescene,butitsapparentthatyourenotgoingtoletme.Lets skipit.Itstoolate,thelightislost. PoperushedinandputhisarmonSchradersshoulder. Letsgiveitashot. Miraculously,thecamerasrolled,andallthetension,alltheego,alltheincoherence explodedintothefilmsmostrivetingscene:Deen,coldandevil;Lohan,vulnerableand afraid. AllthatremainedwastogetacloseupofDeentouchingLohansfacewithablood streakedfinger.OnlyhalfofLohansfacewouldbeintheshot.Mostactresseswouldpopin someVisinetowelltheireyeswithtearsandbedonewithit.Instead,Lohanwentbackto

herroom,andeveryonewaited. Iwasstandingbyherdoor,andsoonIcouldhearhercrying.Itbeganquietly,almosta whimper,butrosetoagutturalhowl.Itwasthesobbingofachildlostinthewoods. Shecameoutofherroom,andIwatchedtheshotonamonitor.Now,withoutthegarish makeup,Lohanlookedsadlybeautiful,anditwaseasytoseewhymenlikeSchraderwere willingtoputtheirlivesinherhands.Thecamerarolled,andDeenmovedinslowlyto touchherface.ThenSchradercursed. Thatbloodlookscompletelyfake.Itssupposedtolookhoursold,anditlooksfresh.Well havetofixitinpost.Weredone. Afterdinner,Lohanemergedchangedwobblyandhappy,aplayfulsmileonherface. SchradertriedtotalkherthroughthenextsceneaconfrontationwithChristianoverhis possiblycriminalbehaviorbutshekeptstumblingandgiggling,missinghermarkbya widemargin.Schradertoldeveryonetotake15minutes.Heturnedtomeandshrugged.If shewantstotreatthislikeTheRealHousewivesofBeverlyHills,IllshootitlikeThe RealHousewives. Schradertoldthecrewtheydshoottherestofthescenewithhandheldcameras.Thatway, whereverLohanwasstandingwouldbehermark.Asequipmentwasreset,Lohanretreated tothepatioforasmoke.Shestillhadhermikeon,soanyonewearingheadphonescould hearher. IvegotoneassistantpassedoutatmyhouseandtheotheroneinthePalisadessayinghe wantstohanghimself.Lifesgreat. Sheexhaled,stubbedouthercigaretteandcamebackinside.Schradershotthescenefor anotherhour,cursingunderhisbreathasLohaneyerolledhimfromthestaircase. Lohanaskedforaquickmakeupbreakandretreatedtoherroom.Schraderpoppedinfora wordandthencameoutwithamischievouslookonhisface. DoyouknowthatiPhoneappthatmakesexplosions? HeheldupthephoneandshowedmesomefootagehedjustshotofLohanhavingher makeupredone.Thenhepushedabutton,andaBruckheimerqualityexplosionblewhis starintoamilliontinypieces. Schradersmiledforthefirsttimeallnight.HestartedtalkingaboutTheMisfits,a1961 filmwrittenbyArthurMilleranddirectedbyJohnHuston.Thefilmfeaturedthefinal performancesofbothClarkGableandMarilynMonroe.Theshootwastorturous,50days morphinginto90,withMonroespendingaweekinthehospitalduringfilming.

WeremakingTheMisfitsonamicrobudget,Schraderjoked.Hescratchedhisheadand archedhiseyebrows.Butheresthething:TheMisfitsisactuallyagreatfilm. Schraderwasgettingcocky.ForallhisdisputeswithLohan,filmingwasonschedule; Lohanhadntmissedanydays. Weregettingclosetothepointwhereifshedisappeared,westillhaveamovie,Schrader toldmeoneweekendmidshoot.Justonemorefullday,andweregood. Thatswhenthingsstartedtogetreallyweird.LadyGagawasnowstayingattheChateau, andthatwasntgreatnewsforTheCanyons.Lohanmissedhermorningcall,andthenshe lefttheshootforlunchwithfriends,runningupa$600tabonsushi,sakeandvodka. Idontthinkshegetsit,Popesaid.Sixhundreddollarsishugeonthismovie.Thatssix guyspayfortheday. Thenextmorning,LohanwasscheduledtoshootatCafMed,aWestHollywood restaurant.ButwhenIarrived,Popewasonthevergeofpanic. LindsaywasoutwithLadyGagatill5:30a.m.Hercallwas6a.m. By9a.m.,LohanwaslyingdowninaCafMedboothwithherhandsoverhereyesshading themfromimaginarysunlight.Theproductionhadtherestaurantonlyuntil11.Schrader paced,breathingheavily. AdoctorarrivedandtookLohansbloodpressure.HewalkedovertoPopeandSchrader. Hisdiagnosis:Aninnerearinfection.Shewasdonefortheday.Schraderdidntbuyit. Thatsherdoctor,hellsaywhatevershewants.Ishotonedayfromastretcher.Shecould doit,butshedoesntwantto. PopeandSchraderhuddledwiththeproductioncrewandthoughtofscenestheycould shootthatdayasasubstitute.WhatdowehaveleftforJames?Schraderasked Therewasawkwardsilencebeforeaproducerchimedin. Uh,IwasdrivingbyBurbankairportyesterdayandIsawJamespullingintotheairport. Acallwasplaced.DeenadmittedhewasnotinLosAngeles. Goddamnit,Schradersaid.Heagreednottoshootpornduringtheshoot.Nowhesout oftownmakingporn.Itoldhimthingscouldchange;hehadtostayintown.Nowawhole dayiswasted. ThecrewmovedontoothersceneswhileLohanrecuperatedfromtheLadyGagaflu.The

stressoftheshootwaswearingoneveryone;thecrewhadntbeenpaidinaweek.Pope, hopingtobuckupmorale,suggestedrafflingofftwoSamsungtabletsusedinthefilm. SchraderwhomthecrewnicknamedthedyspepticLorax wasntonboard. Idonthaveatablet.Idlikeoneofthem. Thenextmorning,everyonereconvenedatCafMed.Lohanwasalmostontime.ATMZ tourbusdroveby,thepassengerswavingandsnappingpictures.Duringacamerachange,I talkedtoLohanasshesmokedacigaretteintheparkinglot.Itwasjustdawningonher thatthefilmwasalmostover.Sheseemedgenuinelyheartbroken. IneededtimetofigureoutallthecrapinmylifethatIdcreatedformyself,essentially, andIkindofrealized,WhatamIdoing?Ilikedoingthis.Ilikebeinghere.Thismakesme happy.TherewasalineintheElizabethmoviewhereshesays,Imsobored,Ivenever beentaughtwhattodowhenImnotworking,andImkindoffiguringthatoutnow. Lohanworeafloppyhattoprotectherskinfromthesunandhalfheartedlywavedtotwo photographerssnappingfromahill20yardsaway.Iremindedherthatshesaidshewanted togotoAfricaaftertheshootwasover.Wasshestillgoing?Sheshookherhead;shed changedhermind. Idontwanttotakeawhileoff,Iwanttokeepworking.Theressomeotherscripts,andI eventuallywanttodirect,somaybewhenImnotfilming,Icanbedirectingsomething becauseIlearnedsomuchfromthepeoplethatIworkedwith. Imentionedthesceneatthehousewhereshedissolvedintotears.Imayhavesaidthatshe stillhadagiftandthatitshouldntbesquandered.Lohanseyesfilled. Iknow.Imtrying.Imreallytrying. Butthensheshookherhead. Icantcry.Ivegotmakeupon. Therewasjustonelastshot.ThefilmsproducersnegotiatedadealwiththeLoews HotelinSantaMonicafortheuseofasuitewheretheycouldgetreadyforthescene.Itwas goingtobeatrickyone;thescriptcalledforLohantobefollowedbyastalkerasshe shoppedattheSantaMonicaPromenade.Theonlyproblemwasthatthemallwanted $10,000forpermissiontoshoot,andTheCanyonsdidnthaveit.Sotheywentwitha riskymove:filmingoneofAmericasmostrecognizablefaceswalkingthroughacrowded mallwithhandheldcameras. SchraderwasalreadyscoutingthelocationbythetimeLohanarrivedatthesuitewithher entourage.ShesmiledandwavedtoeveryoneandthennoticedamagazinewithOliver

Stoneonthecover.Shepickeditupandrippeditintopieces,cursing.(Lohanhadbeen consideredforaroleinStonesSavages,butthedirectoreventuallypassed.)Shethen wentintothebedroom,callingout,Doesanyonewantabeer?Thenshepoppedbackout. Theminibarisempty.Nowthatsinteresting! Overatthemall,Schraderpacednervously.Weneedtogetthreeshots,andwerenot goingtogetasecondchance.Hewasworriedaboutattractingtheattentionofmall security.Anhourlater,LohanarrivedinherblackPorschetrailedbyfourorfivepaparazzi. Schraderthrewuphishandsandsaid,Thatsit. Lohantoldhim,politely,toshutup. Paul,wecandothis. Sheclimbedoutofhercarandturnedtothephotographers. Illmakeadealwithyou.Illgiveyouagoodshot,butthenyouhavetogo.Lohanturned tohergoodsideandhikedherfloorlengthskirtuptoshowalittleleg. O.K.,five,four,three,two,one.Nowyouhavetogo. Thephotographersbackedaway.Lohanwalkedintothemall,andSchraderstarted shooting.Buttheywerequicklyapprehendedbythematronlyheadofmallsecurity. Youhavetostop. Lohanflashedaninnocentsmile. Hesjusttakingstills.Ipromise. Thematronsnorted. YouwerewearingthesameoutfitwhenyouwerefilmingupstairsatSonomaWine Gardenlastweek.Youhavetostop. Itwasover.Defeated,Schraderheadedbacktothehotel.LohanwalkedtoherPorsche. Gavinwasbehindthewheel.Shetoldmetogetintheback.Justbeforewehitthesecurity gate,aphotographerjumpedoutofthedark.Lohanscreamedathim. Yourealiar! Thephotographershrugged. Mycamerajammedbefore.

Lohangavehimthefinger,andwepulledontothefreeway. IlostabunchintrafficonthewayovertoLoews.ThenwhenIgottotheLoews,there weremore,anditwascompletelydifferentcars,itwasX17andSplash,Lohansaid, speakingrapidly.ThepaparazzichasehadanimatedherinawayIhadntseenbefore. Theywerealreadywaitingatthehotel,theywerealreadythere. Iaskedwhyshedidnttryalessconspicuousvehicle. Ivetriedeverything,Iwouldwearwigs...wevehadWranglers,oldCadillacsIvetried everything. LohanyelledatGavintomakeaturn,buthemissedit.Shesigheddramaticallybutdidnt seemreallybothered. Itsjustcreepy.Ivegottenpeopleasktopayme25to30forashotorsometimes50 thousandforabathingsuitshot.Imafraidtheydputtrackersonmycar,whichGodonly knows.... BackattheLoews,SchraderandPopeweredebatingwhattodonext.Lohansuggested shootingthesceneattheGrove,atonyWestHollywoodshoppingcenter. Look,wecanshootattheGrove,andwecangetitforfree. Popelookedatherwithconfusion. WellhaveAccessHollywoodpayforit.Theyllfilmit,Illanswerthreequestionsabout themovieandthentheyllpayforit.Itsreallyeasy. PopeandSchraderwereunconvinced.ButLohanwasinsistentasshelefttheroom. Theylldoit.Youjusthavetoknowhowtoworkit. Afewdayslater,SchraderandPope,havingdecidedonamoreconventionalapproach, filmedLohanattheCenturyCityMall,paying$3,000fortheprivilege. Andjustlikethat,thefilmwasdone.Schradertoldmeitwouldtakesixweekstoedit,but afterthreeweeksIgotanemailsayingitwasnearlyfinished.Imethiminasmallediting roomonthetopflooroftheBrillBuildinginNewYork,whereahalfdozenofSchraders friendsfromtheindiefilmindustryhadgathered.HepoppedinaDVD. Theopeningscenedraggedendlessly.SometrickycameraworkthatSchraderthrewinto breakupthemonotonyonlyemphasizedthedeadnessofthescene.AsPopefeared,Lohans makeupmadeherlookasifshedwalkedontothesetfromanentirelydifferentfilm. Butabout15minutesin,somethingclicked.Deenhadaquietmalevolence.Elliswasright:

hewasborntoplayaBretEastonEllischaracter.Lohanwasequalpartsvulnerableand dissolute. Afterward,Schradersfriendswerenoncommittal,butSchraderwasecstatic.Weadjourned toanearbybar.HewascertainthefilmwouldgetintotheSundanceFilmFestival.Maybe theydrecouptheirinvestmenttenfold. WethoughtthiswasgoingtobeMyDinnerWithAndre,butitsarealfilm.We [expletive]didit. ButthiswasTheCanyons,sotheendingcouldntbethatsmooth.IflewbacktoLos AngelesandwatchedthefilmafewdayslaterwithEllisandPope.Elliswastheleast impressed. Thefilmissolanguorous.Itsanhour30,anditseemslikeitsthreehourslong.Isawthis asaprankynoirishthriller,butSchraderturneditinto,well,aSchraderfilm. PopeandEllisagreedthattheopeningscenewasntworking.PopecalledSchraderabout reshootingit,andhewasangrilydismissed. Wecouldshootitagainfor$15,000inaday,Popesaid.Thenhecorrectedhimself.Well, withLindsay,wedhavetobudgettwodays,butitsdoable.Buthewontdoit. Hewasright.Schraderwouldnthearofit.Andforgoodreason.Ittooktwomonthsand thequasiinterventionofLohansfathertogetLohantofinishtwohoursofloopingforthe outdoorscenes.Intheinterim,Lohanpunchedapsychic,wasaccusedofhittinga pedestrianinNewYork,wasunderinvestigationbytheI.R.S.andwatchedherparentsmelt downonaveryspecialepisodeofDr.Phil. Meanwhile,Ellis,PopeandSchraderbattledoverthefilmsfinalcut.Popescreeneda roughcutofTheCanyonsforStevenSoderbergh.Intrigued,Soderberghofferedtodoan editofthemovieifhewasgiventhefootagefor72hours. Schradersaidno. ImethimonelasttimeinToronto,wherehewasworkingonthefilmssoundtrackwith theCanadianmusicianBrendanCanning.Hehadjustlearnedthatthefilmhadnotbeen acceptedbySundancethefilmisscheduledtobeputupforsalebyWilliamMorris Endeavorlaterthismonthandwasinafoulerthanusualmood. Theideaof72hoursisajoke,Schradersaid.Itwouldtakehim72hourstolookatall thefootage.AndyouknowwhatSoderberghwoulddoifanotherdirectorofferedtocuthis film?

IsaidIdidnt.Schraderleanedbackinhischairandgavemetwomiddlefingers. ThatswhatSoderberghwoulddo. Inevitably,ourconversationturnedbacktoLohan.HeshowedthefilmtoLindsayand hermother,Dina,inOctoberathisNewYorkCityapartment.Theywerebothsofurious abouthowthecameralingeredonDeenthatSchraderhadtomoveDinatoanotherroom togetthroughthescreening. IaskedSchraderifheregrettedcastingLohan.Heshookhishead. No,shesgreatinthefilm. Schraderthentoldmeasecret.Untilthescreeningdisaster,Schraderhadbeenintalks withLohantostarinaremakeofJohnCassavetessGloria,aboutawomanontherun fromthemob.Thedirectorlightedup,childlike;hopetriumphingovermemoriesofbeing strippednaked. Itdoesntinvolveacostar.Shewouldbeperfectforit.
StephenRodrickisacontributingwriterforthemagazine.Hismemoir,TheMagicalStranger, willbepublishedinMaybyHarperCollins. Editor:SheilaGlaser

Thisarticlehasbeenrevisedtoreflectthefollowingcorrection: Correction:January13,2013 Becauseofeditingerrors,anarticleonPage22thisweekendabouttheactressLindsayLohan containsseveralinaccuracies. ThesurnameofanactorwhoappearswithherinthemovieTheCanyonsisJamesDeen,not Dean.AndhislegalnameisBryanMatthewSevilla,notSeville. Threepassagesarealsorenderedincorrectlybecausethewordtestedappearsinsteadof texted.ThefollowingsentencesdescribingcommunicationsbetweenMs.Lohanandthemovies director,PaulSchrader,andproducer,BraxtonPope,shouldread: SchraderandPopetextedandleftmessagesonherphone. Asshebangedonhisdoor,shetextedhimmanically. And,Hetextedherinstead.