Photos: Alexander Payne and his movies
"I haven't spent much time in small-town Nebraska at all, other than driving through. One reason I enjoyed making 'About Schmidt' was that it gave me an overview. And this one made me fall in love even more with Nebraska." 'Downsizing'
Alexander Payne was born and raised in Omaha. Payne is pictured here walking to the stage to be inducted into the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation and Scholarship Ball CXIV at the then-Qwest Center in 2010.
Oscar-winning director-screenwriters Alexander Payne, left, and David O. Russell talk movies before a live audience at the Holland Center on Nov. 10, 2014, in Omaha. The event was a fundraiser for Film Streams.
"Citizen Ruth" was Payne's directorial debut, as well as his first movie shot in Nebraska. Laura Dern, seen here in a still from the movie, starred in the film.
Actress Laura Dern spent plenty of time in the metro-area. "Citizen Ruth" was filmed in both Omaha and Council Bluffs in 1996.
The Joslyn Art Museum hosted a private screening of "Citizen Ruth," attended by writers Jim Taylor and Payne, and actress Laura Dern.
"Citizen Ruth" was followed up by "Election." The second movie Payne directed, "Election" was also shot in Omaha. This time, one of the starring roles went to a young Reese Witherspoon.
Payne checks a camera view with cinematographer Jim Glennon behind him. Shooting locations for "Election" included Memorial Park and Papillion-La Vista High School.
"Election" included cast member Matthew Broderick, seen here with Payne (back to camera) on set at Papillion-La Vista High School. "Election" earned Payne his first Oscar nomination.
Joy Carlson, 19, a student at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, and Chris Wade 28, a senior at UNO, were among the extras in the Papillion-La Vista gym. They were to play members of the student council in the movie "Election."
The film crew rides a camera mounted truck while filming the actress Jennifer Campbell riding a bike in Memorial Park. Cinematographer Jim Glennon and Payne are watching the image on a monitor on the right of the truck.
This home, at 683 Parkwood Lane in Omaha, was Linda's house in "Election."
Payne's third film, "About Schmidt," brought him back to Nebraska, this time shooting in Omaha, Lincoln and Nebraska City. He is seen here with Jack Nicholson north of Nebraska City.
Filming locations for "About Schmidt" included this Phillips 66, located about 7 miles north of Nebraska City on Highway 75. Here, Payne is seen looking at a shot setup with Jim Glennon, directory of photography, behind him.
This house, at 5402 Izard St., was used in both "About Schmidt" and "Election."
This Izard Street home, located in Dundee, is near the home Payne grew up in. Owned by Bess Ogborn at the time, the home was used as Nicholson's house in the movie.
Payne's fourth film, " Sideways," was his first movie filmed outside Nebraska.
"Sideways" was filmed in its entirety in California. Payne also co-wrote the script.
Payne's fifth movie, "The Descendants," was filmed in Hawaii.
"The Descendants" starred George Clooney, who filmed at Omaha's Eppley Airfield in the 2009 film "Up in the Air."
Payne's most recent film brought him back to Nebraska and paid homage to the state he loves. "Nebraska" was shot in various locations in the state in 2012.
Bridget O'Brien's girlhood dreams of working in the movies have panned out for the Norfolk mom of three with “Nebraska.” O'Brien served as a stand-in for June Squibb, who played Bruce Dern's wife, along with numerous other actors.
“It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, to be part of a major motion picture. We found proper child care and just made it happen,” Bridget O'Brien said. The filming required her to be away from her family for long hours, reporting at 6 in the morning for filming.
The home used as the family house in the fictitious Hawthorne is actually in Plainview, Nebraska.
Plainview served as a filming hub for "Nebraska."
D&K Lanes bowling alley in Plainview was used for exterior shots.
Reflector panels are lowered into place during filming in Plainview.
Director Alexander Payne plans a shot of the iconic La Casa sign at 4432 Leavenworth St. in April 2016. Payne was filming his movie "Downsizing."
Director Alexander Payne, left, talks with Matt Damon before filming a scene for "Downsizing" in Omaha in April 2016.
People take photos of the film crew at La Casa at 4432 Leavenworth St. on April 12, 2016. Alexander Payne was filming his movie "Downsizing."
It was a typical Wednesday at Midwest Pickers Warehouse last week before the set director of "Downsizing," Alexander Payne's latest film, stopped into the antique shop at 37th and Leavenworth Streets.
If releasing a star-studded studio picture to thousands of theaters across the country right before Christmas weren’t enough, Payne has a few other things going on, too.
"About Schmidt," which was filmed in Omaha, Lincoln and Nebraska City, was theatrically released by New Line Cinema 19 years ago today.
"About Schmidt," which was filmed in Omaha, Lincoln and Nebraska City, was theatrically released by New Line Cinema 20 years ago today.
Arts Notes: Director Alexander Payne will talk about his new movie, "The Holdovers," at two Film Streams events. A play about disabilities will be performed this weekend.
Alexander Payne's next movie is already building some strong buzz, nine months ahead of its release.