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Chelsea Peretti on her starring role and directorial debut in “First Time Female Director”
Chelsea Peretti, best known for her role in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” has taken on the triple threat of starring, writing, and directing in her new film, “First Time Female Director,” released Friday on Roku.
The comedy follows a woman thrust into the unexpected role of directing her own play, mirroring Peretti’s real-life venture into the realm of directing.
When she first signed onto the project, Peretti initially doubted her ability to juggle writing, acting and directing.
“I definitely tried to back out at certain points,” said Peretti.
But Peretti was convinced to stay the course, thanks in part to encouragement from her friend and producer Amy Poehler.
The film’s production, described by Peretti as a “high octane summer camp,” took 23 days. In the film, “Sam” finds directing her play more challenging than expected. Peretti faced her own challenges as a new director including screening a three-and-a-half-hour first cut of the movie for friends and family, only to find them asleep by the end.
Beyond the laughs, Peretti opened up about her personal connection to comedy, calling it the closest thing to a religion that she has. This perspective is rooted in her perspective of comedy as a survival mechanism born out of a chaotic childhood. Peretti’s parents divorced while she was growing up in Oakland.
“It’s the only thing that routinely makes everything feel like its gonna be OK,” said Peretti.
She went from being labeled “weird” in school to becoming a respected voice in comedy. From her college days in New York to her first open mic at the Parkside Lounge, Peretti said she “just got more funny as the stakes of survival got higher.”
Her work on shows like “The Sarah Silverman Program,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” further solidified her position in the industry thanks to the support she received.
“You just need one person, who has a name, to be like, ‘I believe in you.’ And then other people are like, ‘Maybe I will, too,'” said Peretti, who is married to director Jordan Peele.
Reflecting on her breakthrough role as Gina Linetti in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Peretti appreciated the connection fans had with her character.
“I did have a lot of teenage girls like, ‘How is Gina so confident? I wanna be like that.’ You know, and I’m like, ‘Don’t pull back the mask,'” said Peretti.
The show also reunited her with childhood friend Andy Samberg, marking a full-circle moment in her career.
“There was a production of Annie,” Peretti said. “I feel like he was Daddy Warbucks and I was like orphan No. 7. So, some things never change.”
Peretti called Andre Braugher — her co-star on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” who died of lung cancer last year — a “brilliant person and a brilliant actor.”
“I loved Andre,” Peretti said. “I really did. He’s just a special person.”
As Peretti contemplates future projects, including more directorial work and developing her own TV series, she remains both her harshest critic and biggest fan.
“I’m like either, ‘This is terrible’ or, ‘I’m a god.'” Peretti said. “So like with my movie, I’m just trying to be really proud that I did this.”
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
