Illuminating the struggle of characters as they face challenges whether seen through a comedic or a serious lens is a hallmark of Martha Coolidge’s work from her first documentaries to her remarkable pioneering achievements in feature films. She is known not only as a consummate filmmaker but also as an “Actor’s Director” due to her knack to inspire special performances from actors whether they are seasoned like Robert Duvall and Anjelica Huston or new as was the case with Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer and Halle Berry. With an excellent eye for casting and special attention to detail in story and production Coolidge has brought to life diverse worlds from realistic historic periods to hip contemporary and futuristic settings.
Following her hit romantic comedy THE PRINCE & ME Coolidge returned with a delightful comedy-mystery MATERIAL GIRLS starring Hilary and Haylie Duff. The film tells the story of two silly “celebrity” sisters, made famous by modeling their father’s make up line, who inherit the company and subsequently loose it in a corporate swindle, falling from “Riches to rags in a single day.” The girls learn to work for a living and become detectives to figure out how they lost their company. Funny and smart it’s filled with talented actors like Anjelica Huston, Lukas Haas, Ty Hodges, Brent Spiner and Obba Babatunde.
Her newest film that will be out in 2009 is a top-secret project from American Girl. No details can be revealed at the present time but it promises to be another entertaining and exciting adventure centered around the empowerment of its young female characters.
While making this new film Ms. Coolidge paired up for the eighth time with her husband, Production Designer James Spencer (Rocky, Leathal Weapon 3, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge – for which he won an Emmy & an Art Director’s Guild Award.) They enjoy their partnership on and off screen. "Our shorthand is always helpful. For the last two films we have worked in our home town but found new ways of seeing it’s many cultures including the colorful world of make-up manufacturing (Material Girls)."
