JOHN LAWRENCE
Writer, Director, Producer
PELOTON is John Lawrence's feature film debut. He wrote the first draft of PELOTON early in the morning before rounds in the hospital during his medical residency. Months before directing PELOTON, John was a supporting actor in 127 HOURS, an unforgettable gift to work with Danny Boyle. John holds a BA from Georgetown University and an MD from the University of Utah. He is currently working on several scripts, a television pilot and a book.
PELOTON is the story of a man finding his way back into his life, redeeming himself via cycling. This film is really my reaction shot to honor a dear friend and cyclist, John Schlesinger (see blog "The Genesis of Peloton" at www.pelotonmovie.wordpress.com) and our conversations on what was really important in life: doing what you loved and being with the important friends and family in your life. To do so would be life well lived. I had only partially followed that commitment, working as a doctor while using spare time to write, direct and act in independent theater and films. But my dream remained to make films. The arrival of my two sons was a huge reminder to follow up on that commitment as I knew they would live by how they saw their father living, not by what I told them to, i.e., following their heart and passion.
On John Christophe Schlesinger: If anyone is laughing at my efforts on this film project, my sweating over the whole thing, it’s John. I can see him starting to break into a grin with some hilariously wicked barb to throw out at me that will break all of us into belly-aching laughter. He would have poked fun at me relentlessly for obsessing about filming a movie that involves guys with shaved legs in tight shorts. He would have been the first in line to be filmed up close, making sure his film credit read, "Best Looking Cyclist." He would have invented better dialogue for the script and would have pushed me to keep rewriting better scenes. He also would have supported me late into the night when I was broken with frustration, buoying my spirits with humor, but also just present to talk in the deep, simple, honest ways that only close friends can manage.
I was so grateful to have an incredible cast and crew. Our actors came in and took their parts, they were the characters I had imagined over years of writing. The crew was also brilliant. I think our cinematographer (Geno Salvatori) came on board due to the challenge of the script's cycling and internal struggles of the lead character. It was certainly not for the pay! But once he was on board, the rest of the crew was willing to work with a first time director (that's me) due to their respect for Geno.
After years and years of re-writes, read throughs, mailing out business plans to potential investors, I was finally asked by a family friend, what was the minimal budget we needed. I threw out a ridiculously low number that we had come up with as potential for making the film. When the family said they would give us half that amount if I found the other half, I practically leaped across the table to kiss that man. It still took another year, cashing in my 401K, all my savings, some fund raisers and the support of a few more friends, but we came up with the funds. Winning an incentive grant from the State of Utah's Film Commission and some secondary fund raising after principal photography helped make the film possible--all that along with many favors from our incredible film crew.
The lead character Nash could have been played as downtrodden guy full of young man angst. KC knew to avoid that trap and found the humility and humor that gave Nash some compassion.
Nash's love interest, Kate, has a very subtle role. She needed to be strong despite taking care of a sick mother. People wondered why the character would be with a guy like Nash...and I think Jenn's performance helps us remember that we all want love, despite the tough exterior we display.
Jack and Bianca, Nash's best friends, wear their emotions on their sleeve, completely committed to their life, they are great foils for Nash and our actors, Renny and Danor, embody that quality.
Graham, the antagonist, was not supposed to be the quintessential bad guy, but the internal critic in Nash's head called out his lack of belief in himself. Thomas did a great job using a subtle arc through the film to become a fellow competitor not just the "bad" guy.
One of the opening scenes had Nash racing a pregnant woman pushing a stroller. My soon to be wife just happened to be pregnant with our second child. So to save money on an actress, she pushed our two year old up a hill during a hot august day. Later that day, during filming, she went into labor. I just made the delivery.