We filmed the the dojo scene on our 3rd day. @zachlipovsky and I had worked with Sadie in auditions and rehearsals, so we knew what she could do. But we were still nervous. It was only this 16-year-old’s third day on a set *ever*. She had to pull off an action sequence filled with intricate choreography, and then go deep into one of the most emotional scenes in the movie; to risk being raw, vulnerable.
Under the lights, with dozens of crew members watching, would she be able to do it?
She nailed the scene and exceeded our expectations. Her fight work was perfect and intense with emotion. And then the emotional scene: Watching Sadie reveal Kim’s insecurities and cry real tears brought tears to our eyes too, in take after take. This first-timer girl turned in a star performance. ( x )














