A gift for Wes: UQ graduate thesis leads to dream encounter with acclaimed director

The School of Communication and Arts student had spent almost a year poring over the director’s interviews, scripts, and filmography to understand the method to the madness of some of his beloved films.

Weeks later, she found herself sitting in a packed London theatre just metres away from him, a copy of her thesis tucked under his arm.

“I had chills, was this really happening?” she said.

“Everyone kept looking at me – the girl who flew halfway across the world to hand Wes Anderson her thesis.”

A year in the making

Wes Anderson is known for his elaborate and vibrantly visual films including The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) and Rushmore (1998). While academia has often explored his use of cinematic style and portrayal of grief, the role of actors in his films does not appear to have been addressed.   

“The acting in Anderson’s films is often referred to as ‘deadpan’, or portraying little emotion, but I am not aware of anyone elaborating on that label or its intention,” Ms Wright said.

“In my thesis I explore why Anderson casts certain actors, how he directs them and how they combine his guidance with their own choices in their final performances.

“I found that the performances in Anderson’s films emerge from the collaboration between actor and director, with each actor using their unique qualities and skills to contribute to meaning and characterisation.”

Just weeks before submitting her final copy, Ms Wright read about Wes Anderson: The Archives, an exhibition at London’s Design Museum that was to showcase the director’s personal collection, including handwritten notebooks, miniature models from his animated films, costumes and props.

The museum advertised a Q&A with Anderson on opening night. Ms Wright knew she had to be in that room.

“His films have played such an important role in both my personal and academic life,” she said.

“In 2016 I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis, a condition where the body attacks healthy brain cells. I spent many years in and out of hospital.

“I lost the ability to read, write, and speak, so I survived through watching movies and TV and became invested with visual storytelling.

“Attending this event was my personal reward for all my hard work – you could say I was pretty determined to be there.”

In the room with Wes

After some challenges securing a spot at the coveted event – including almost missing ticket sales due to the time difference between Australia and the UK – Ms Wright took the 23-hour trip to London.

She brought a copy of her thesis with her just in case.

“I had watched so many of Wes’s interviews as part of my research, but to sit there and hear him talk about the things I had written about and studied was so surreal,” Ms Wright said.

“When they began taking questions from the audience, I was practically standing with my arm up in the air.

“I told him I had come all the way from Australia and that my entire thesis had been based on his work, and then I basically asked him my research question, ‘what is the function of actors and acting in your films?’”

Ms Wright said his answer was incredibly detailed but she was so caught up in the moment that she blacked out during his response.

She couldn’t believe what happened next.

“I still had my thesis on my lap and was certain I wouldn’t have a chance to give it to him,” Ms Wright said.

“But then the man next to me said he had a large present that he wanted to give to Wes.

 “It was my one chance, so as he was handing it to him I blurted out, ‘do you want a copy of my thesis?’”

“Wes was so excited to take it - he even asked me what my grade was.”

Ms Wright hadn’t received her results at the time, but now knows she is graduating with First Class Honours.

"It meant the world to me that the very person who inspired me saw enough value in my thesis to take it home with them,” she said.

“The long trip to London and my year of blood, sweat, and tears felt worth it, knowing that I produced something that even the subject found intriguing.”