Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Directors:

Jonathan Dayton
Valerie Faris

Writer (WGA):

Michael Arndt (written by)

Release Date:

18 August 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Where's Olive?

Plot:

A family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.

Plot Keywords:

Pageant | Loser | Beauty Pageant | Graduate Student | Vow Of Silence

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 53 wins & 55 nominations

Cast

Abigail Breslin	...	Olive Hoover
Greg Kinnear	...	Richard Hoover
Paul Dano	...	Dwayne
Alan Arkin	...	Grandpa Edwin Hoover
Toni Collette	...	Sheryl Hoover
Steve Carell	...	Frank Ginsberg
Marc Turtletaub	...	Doctor #1
Jill Talley	...	Cindy
Brenda Canela	...	Diner Waitress
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Mechanic
Chuck Loring	...	Convenience Store Proprietor
Justin Shilton	...	Josh
Gordon Thomson	...	Larry Sugarman
Steven Christopher Parker	...	Teen Boy #1
Bryan Cranston	...	Stan Grossman
John Walcutt	...	Doctor #2
Paula Newsome	...	Linda
Dean Norris	...	State Trooper McCleary
Beth Grant	...	Pageant Official Jenkins
Wallace Langham	...	Kirby
Lauren Shiohama	...	Miss California
Mary Lynn Rajskub	...	Pageant Assistant Pam
Jerry Giles	...	Funeral Home Worker
Geoff Meed	...	Biker Dad
Matt Winston	...	Pageant MC
Joan Scheckel	...	Judge
Casandra Ashe	...	Girl in Hallway
Mel Rodriguez	...	Officer Martinez
Alexandria Alaman	...	Pageant Contestant
Alissa Anderegg	...	Pageant Contestant
Brittany Baird	...	Pageant Contestant
Cambria Baird	...	Pageant Contestant
Brenae Bandy	...	Pageant Contestant
Kristen Holaas	...	Pageant Contestant
Maliah Hudson	...	Pageant Contestant
Destry Jacobs	...	Pageant Contestant
Lindsey Jordan	...	Pageant Contestant
Shane Murphy	...	Pageant Contestant
Annabelle Roberts	...	Pageant Contestant
Sydni Stevenson-Love	...	Pageant Contestant
Nicole Stoehr	...	Pageant Contestant
Lauren Yee	...	Pageant Contestant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Erik David Barber	...	Photographer (uncredited)
Terry Bolo	...	Pageant Worker (uncredited)
Marc De'Antone	...	Seminar Class (uncredited)
Tara Dawn Holland	...	Herself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Ksenia Jarova	...	Pretty Girl (uncredited)
Robert O'Connor	...	Pageant Judge #1 (uncredited)
Regis Philbin	...	Himself (voice) (uncredited)
Matthew W. Tate	...	Funeral Worker #2 (uncredited)

Directed by
Jonathan Dayton
Valerie Faris

Writing credits (WGA)
Michael Arndt		(written by)

Produced by
Albert Berger	....	producer
Michael Beugg	....	executive producer
Jeb Brody	....	executive producer
David T. Friendly	....	producer
Bart Lipton	....	associate producer
Peter Saraf	....	producer
Marc Turtletaub	....	producer
Ron Yerxa	....	producer

Original Music by
Mychael Danna
DeVotchKa

Cinematography by
Tim Suhrstedt		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Pamela Martin

Casting by
Justine Baddeley
Kim Davis-Wagner

Production Design by
Kalina Ivanov

Art Direction by
Alan E. Muraoka

Set Decoration by
Melissa M. Levander		(as Melissa Levander)

Costume Design by
Nancy Steiner

Makeup Department
Susan Carol Schwary	....	key hair stylist (as Susan Carol-Schwary)
Janis Clark	....	hair department head
Dugg Kirkpatrick	....	key hair stylist (as 'Dugg' Kirkpatrick)
Amy Lederman	....	makeup artist
Angel Radefeld	....	key makeup artist
Nicole Sortillon	....	makeup assistant (as Nicole Sortillion)
Torsten Witte	....	makeup department head

Production Management
Michael Bergyl	....	unit production manager
Bob Dohrmann	....	production supervisor
Michael Toji	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Heather Anderson	....	additional second second assistant director
Kate Greenberg	....	second second assistant director
Joe May	....	additional second second assistant director
Gregory J. Smith	....	second assistant director (as Gregory Smith)
Thomas Patrick Smith	....	first assistant director
Thomas Robinson Harper	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Bart Lipton	....	second second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Ellis J. Barbacoff	....	assistant property master
Tony Bonaventura	....	property master
Andrea Cantrell	....	assistant props
Jill Deibler	....	buyer
Joseph Kevin Garcia	....	swing gang (as Joseph K. Garcia)
Theresa Greene	....	art department coordinator
Michael Klingerman	....	leadman
David Marple	....	swing gang
Rich Murray	....	assistant art director
Christopher Pappas	....	on-set dresser
Christopher Pappas	....	props
Rion Waller	....	swing gang
Ryan Wylie	....	props

Sound Department
Rick Ash	....	sound re-recording mixer
Gregg Barbanell	....	foley artist
Kerry Ann Carmean	....	foley editor
Patrick Cusack	....	assistant sound editor
Andrew DeCristofaro	....	supervising sound editor
Craig Dollinger	....	boom operator
Bill Henderson	....	sound re-recording engineer
Stacey Michaels	....	adr mixer
Sterling Moore	....	boom operator: additional photography
Steven Morrow	....	sound mixer
Steve Nelson	....	sound effects editor (as Steven F. Nelson)
Nancy Nugent	....	supervising adr editor (as Nancy Kyong Nugent)
Buck Robinson	....	sound mixer: additional photography
Stephen P. Robinson	....	supervising sound editor
Terry Rodman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Sharman	....	utility sound technician
Christopher Sidor	....	sound mix technician
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer
John C. Stuver	....	dialogue editor
Lucy Sustar	....	foley mixer
Greg Zimmerman	....	adr recordist
John Soukup	....	sound transfer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Ian Eyre	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Adam Avitabile	....	visual effects supervisor
Chad Buehler	....	digital compositor
Joshua D. Comen	....	visual effects producer (as Josh Comen)
Jenny Foster	....	visual effects coordinator
Rob Ostir	....	digital effects artist
Steve Rodriguez	....	colorist

Stunts
Kenny Anderson	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Kacie Borrowman	....	stunt double: Abigail Breslin
Clay Cullen	....	stunt double
Riley Harper	....	stunt double
Thomas Robinson Harper	....	stunt coordinator (as Tom Robinson Harper)
Traci Richelle Harrison	....	stunts
Christie Hayes	....	stunt double
Michael Hugghins	....	stunt double
Mark Kubr	....	stunts and water safety
Larry Rippenkroeger	....	stunts
Matthew Taylor	....	stunt double: Greg Kinnear

Camera and Electrical Department
Thomas Bango	....	first assistant camera
Matt Bardocz	....	best boy electric
Clint Borden	....	dolly grip: "b" camera
Tom Boyd	....	underwater camera operator
Brian Cantrell	....	electrician
Jack Carpenter	....	camera car grip
Theda Cunningham	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Greg Dellerson	....	assistant camera
Josh Denering	....	grip
Carlos M. Gallardo	....	dolly grip
Paul Goodstein	....	key grip
Jeffrey Greeley	....	camera operator
Keith A. Hascher	....	lighting technician
Jimi Johnson	....	video assist operator
Lawrence Karman	....	Steadicam operator
Frederick Lawrence	....	grip
Heather Lea	....	first assistant camera
Eric Lee	....	still photographer
Christopher Mack	....	"b" camera
Christopher Mack	....	first assistant camera
Paul McIlvaine	....	gaffer
Alan Morier	....	lighting technician
Tony Olivieri	....	first assistant Steadicam
Michelle Pizanis	....	clapper loader
Chris J. Rossi	....	best boy grip
Rigney Sackley	....	assistant camera
Aaron Atom Vyvial	....	grip

Casting Department
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice casting
Kelly Hunt	....	extras casting
Rich King	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bethany Bernhard	....	set costumer
Lisa Hyde	....	set costumer
Robin McMullan	....	costume supervisor
Jennifer Starzyk	....	key costumer

Editorial Department
Ian Elias	....	post-production assistant
Joe Fineman	....	post-production consultant
Terel Gibson	....	first assistant editor
Jessica Otto	....	post-production assistant: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Nick Wenger	....	post-production assistant
Lee Wimer	....	color timer

Music Department
Sebastian Arocha Morton	....	music remixer
Elliott Goldkind	....	assistant music editor
Brad Haehnel	....	music mixer
Brad Haehnel	....	scoring mixer
Susan Jacobs	....	music supervisor
Anne Litt	....	music supervisor
Rob Simonsen	....	assistant to composer
Tony Tisdale	....	additional music contributor
Joshua Winget	....	music editor (as Josh Winget)

Transportation Department
Joseph Aroesti	....	transportation co-captain
Mike Belt	....	mechanic
Angel Desanti	....	transportation co-captain
Dillan Esco	....	driver
J. Armin Garza II	....	driver: camera car
Geno Hart	....	transportation coordinator
Esteban Munoz	....	mechanic
Marty Osborne	....	picture cars
John Pellegrino	....	transportation
Adam Pinkstaff	....	transportation captain
William Smallwood	....	driver: production van

Other crew
Sebastian Arocha Morton	....	source cues (as Sebastian Arocha-Morton)
Mike Artimo	....	medic
Susan Bliss	....	post script services
Erik Bright	....	unit publicist
Cecilia Cardwell	....	studio teacher
Ed Casares	....	video artist
Michael B. Clark	....	assistant to producer
Richard Cody	....	key craft services
Molly Cooper	....	assistant to producers
William Cusick	....	office production assistant
Michael Dericks	....	choreographer
Thomas Farr	....	payroll accountant
Jennifer Zolten Freed	....	post-production accountant
Shaun Greenspan	....	production assistant
Francis Hadinoto	....	production assistant
Jennifer Hamilton	....	assistant choreographer
Traci Richelle Harrison	....	stand-in: Abigail Breslin
Erin Heidenreich	....	sales agent
Heather Holliday	....	production staff
James Kaplan	....	assistant: Mr. Dayton & Ms. Faris
Ashley Kravitz	....	script clearance
Joe Lewis	....	assistant: Mr. Dayton & Ms. Faris
Christopher Licata	....	production assistant
Felipe Linz	....	assistant to producers
Kevin Maier	....	stand-in: Steve Carell
Jason Mandel	....	production assistant
Joshua Mandel	....	production assistant
Laurent Marchand	....	caterer
Lyn Matsuda Norton	....	script supervisor (as Lyn Matsuda)
Charissa McLain	....	assistant production coordinator
Emily McMaster	....	assistant to producers
Dauv McNeely	....	computer and video playback technician
Christopher Miller	....	location manager
Dan Milner	....	location scout
Dan Murbarger	....	computer/video playback operator
Zack Neuman	....	office intern
Lyn Norton	....	script supervisor
Jessica Otto	....	assistant: Ms. Collette
Sara Pollack	....	production executive
Marguerite Pomerhn Derricks	....	choreographer (as Marguerite Derricks)
Michyl-Shannon Quilty	....	production coordinator
Mike Revell	....	production accountant
Jennessa Rose	....	additional voices
Julianna Rose	....	additional voices
Negar Saddigh	....	production assistant
Rocsana Saddigh	....	production assistant
Jessie Hope Salka	....	unit publicist
Suzanne C. Swindle	....	script supervisor
Katie Taylor	....	production assistant
Nate Taylor	....	key assistant location manager
Cori Uchida	....	assistant to producers
Jenny Worman	....	stand-in: Toni Collette
Bryan Yaconelli	....	first assistant accountant
Paul Young	....	production assistant
Howard R. Schuster	....	financing (uncredited)
Andie K. Taylor	....	intern (uncredited)

Thanks
James Everett Dayton	....	thanks
Joan Scheckel	....	the directors wish to thank: Joan Scheckel Lab
Jocelyn Towne	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (presents)
• Big Beach Films (as Big Breach) (in association with) (presents)
• Bona Fide Productions (as Bona Fide)
• Deep River Productions
• Third Gear Productions

Distributors

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2006) (worldwide) (all media)
• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Netherlands (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2006) (Japan) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2006) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (2006) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Bontonfilm (2006) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• FS Film Oy (2006) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (2006) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Tatrafilm (2007) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox España (2006) (Spain) (all media)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment España S.A. (2006) (Spain) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• FS Film Oy (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
• Film1 (2008) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Gativideo (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2007) (Argentina) (VHS)
• RTL Entertainment (2010) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL8)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Germany (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)

Special Effects

• Title House Digital (opticals)
• LOOK! Effects (digital visual effects)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  production insurance
• Avon Studio Transport  transportation
• Bob Industries  the producers wish to thank
• Body Glove  special thanks
• Camera Cars Unlimited  camera car and process trailer
• Carpenter Camera Cars  camera car and process trailer
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Cinetic Media  distribution advisory services
• Converse  special thanks
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Eclipse Catering  catering
• Entertainment Partners  payroll
• Global Entertainment Partners  video dailies
• GotFootage  special thanks
• Insignia Public Relations  unit publicity
• J.L. Fisher  camera cranes
• Lakeshore Records  soundtrack
• Magic Film and Video Works  negative cutting
• Miss America Productions  special thanks
• Murad Skin Care Laboratories  special thanks
• Negative People  negative cutting
• Pacific Title  main title design
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Paramount Recording Studios  music recorded and mixed at
• R.P. Productions  special thanks
• Reebok  special thanks
• Rich King Casting  extras casting
• Shotmaker  camera car and process trailer (as Shotmaker)
• Sloss Law Office  production legal services
• Soundelux  sound editing
• Title House Digital  titles and opticals
• Trevanna Post  post-production accounting
• Vans  special thanks
• Vine Street Studios  sound re-recording (as Todd-AO Vine Street Studios)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sex and drug content

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R (certificate #42333) | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:NC-16 | Netherlands:12 | Italy:T | Argentina:13 | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:6 | Sweden:7 | New Zealand:R13 | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U (DVD) | Brazil:14 | Philippines:R-13 | Japan:PG-12 | Chile:TE | Norway:10 (TV rating) | Iceland:L | Peru:PT

Filming Locations:

Acton, California, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris had previously directed the "1979" music video by The Smashing Pumpkins. The total of Frank's purchase at the convenience store is $19.79.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The freeway turnoffs, hotel and pier at the final destination are not in Redondo Beach. The location used for Redondo Beach is actually the Crowne Plaza Hotel near the 101 freeway in the city of Ventura, California.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Richard:There are two kinds of people in this world, winners and losers.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Super Freak (Rocasound Revamp

More than a fresh ray of sunshine!

Here is a film that lives up to the expectations of a very funny trailer. It's an oddball comedy, and it's dark, and it's funny, and it's touching, and it will charm the pants off many in the audience. Here is a simple story in which our lovely contestant and her family try to find their way to California so that she can prove to the world she is not a loser! The premise itself can lead to years of therapy for a family that should get a group rate in psychiatric care.

Expert editing and superb comedic performances from all the principals involved will have many overlook the fact that the plot line is a little too contrived at times. The set pieces will have the audience howling with laughter as we see different characters trying to overcome some pretty irreverent obstacles. The scene at the gas station contains moments of deep sadness and offbeat humor, something that Carrell pulls off wonderfully, and none will be able to look at the trunk of a car, some dubious literary material, and highway patrol the same way after seeing the infamous scene in the film.

The best is of course, saved for last, and by this time we are waiting for something outrageous which "Little Miss Sunshine" delivers unapologetically. A classic track will probably be recharged for a new generation, as the bonds of family precariously balance a moment that could be as tacky as they come.

"Sunshine" is one of the best things to come out of American cinema this year, an original film that relies on a script that understands the differences between generations in the same family. It doesn't explain why each character is as quirky as can be, and it doesn't build much background because it is not needed to make the film work. Kinnear, Colette, Abigail, Arkin, and Correll are a fine team and keep the film's feel fresh throughout the film. Here is a family that has no special qualities or powers, a family that will make us rejoice that creativity is still alive in Hollywood, a film that will provide us with plenty of much needed sunshine in an otherwise pretty dull summer.