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“Hi, I’m Tina Gordon.
And I’m the co-writer and director of “Little.’”
“What?”
“Child Protective Services.”
“This scene is Agent Bea arrives to Big Jordan’s
apartment because a suspicious child has
been seen and reported by Big Jordan’s neighbor.
She has called Child Protective Services,
played by Rachel Dratch.”
“Who’s in charge?”
“Me.”
“I have that a Jordan Sanders is
listed as the owner of this apartment.”
“Correct.
Paid in full.
Okurr!”
“And this is the first time little Jordan, played
by Marsai Martin, and her assistant,
April, played by Issa Rae, have to work together
and sort of co-conspire to cover up
that Jordan Sanders has turned into a child.
The geography of this is Agent Bea
perusing through the house in a power position
now that little Jordan would not be used to.
And I used those rotating chairs
to have them inch into this, two position, looking over
at Agent Bea, who is in this big, like, starship-type
chair, compared to the tiny chairs that they’re in.”
“Got it.
And your mother is where?”
“She’s a crack head.
Yeah, Jordan is a crack baby.
It’s so sad.
That’s why she’s so hyper all the time.”
“I use a lot of overs and two-shots in this scene
just to warm up the idea that these two are
in this comedic situation together.
The space between the seats is on purpose
because this is new for them, and I
wanted it to feel like these two people are thrust
into this lie together.
But they’re both on the hot seat in front of Agent Bea.”
“That’s President Barack Obama.”
“Hmm, no, that’s my brother.”
“I looked everywhere for this picture of Barack Obama.
There’s only certain pictures you can use of the president.
And he just looked perfect with Bo the dog there.”
“School?
Girl, bye.
I haven’t been to school in, like, years.”
“No, that’s not what she meant.
That’s not what you meant, right?”
“Oh, yeah, that’s not what I meant.
Joking.”
“O.K.”
“Rachel Dratch moving in to make it clear,
which I needed her to come across as intimidating
because big Jordan is such a force
that I needed Agent Bea to come over and issue
a real threat to both of them.”
“Say what now?”
“Say what now is enroll this child in school or somebody
is going to jail.
That’s what now, say what.”
“By somebody, do you mean — “
“You.
That would be you.
Now, the school district which Jordan would be assigned to
would be, ah, Windsor Middle School.”
“Windsor?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Oh, hell, no.”
“Yes.
Hell, yes.”
“And the final threat between the two of them.”
“Today and I will — “
“Little Jordan stands out of the chair —
that was on purpose —
to look eye to eye with Rachel to try
her last little attempt at having the authority
and power she does as an adult. But she’s checked.”
“O.K.?”
“Let me be clear.
I will have you in foster care and your goofy aunt over here
in jail if you don’t.
Okurr?”