Surreal. Humbling. Emotional. The first part of the shoot was at the Hall House. The location scouts had found this super cute, if small, home, and I went to visit the day before we started filming. Before the production started, I’d exchanged some emails and photos with R.J. about how the house might be decorated. But when I walked in, my mind was just blown. The Hall House is fictional but it’s based on some real places from my past, and I felt like I was walking into a world that doesn’t exist anymore. The details were so perfect. Things I never told them. They just got it. I looked around. Went outside. Started to cry. I’d like to say it was the only time I lost it on set, but then again, I’d also like to say I’m a natural redhead. Some things just aren’t true.
- Gayle Forman