The dynamic duo of Sia and Maddie Ziegler seem to be a package deal as of late--the 12-year-old dancer has starred in music videos for the Australian singer's biggest hits such as "Chandelier," "Elastic Heart" and "Big Girls Cry" and now, the two are ready to jump into their latest project, a film titled Sister. The pop singer-songwriter already penned the film's script with assistance from children's author Dallas Clayton.
The script is based on a short story Sia crafted eight years ago, which will now be brought to life. "I was too embarrassed to tell anyone I wanted to make a movie," Sia explained a Venice Film Festival panel attended by The Hollywood Reporter. "And then last year after I made the 'Chandelier' video, I realised that I was pretty good at directing, so I felt a little bit braver."
Further detailing how she penned the script, Sia divulged, "For me, the process was basically, I work out the movie. I'll act it out, I'll have the dialogue already in my head... I can't be bothered to learn [screenwriting software] Final Draft. I'm not a technical person. Like, when I sing, I just want to sing the melody and write the lyrics. I don't want to have to do production, which is very technical. I don't enjoy that."
The 39-year-old singer explained that she's taken notes on her script from countless friends and acquaintances involved in the TV and film industry including comedian Whitney Cummings, actor Joel Edgerton and her husband, documentary-maker Erik Anders Lang. NME notes the singer said, "Erik, my husband, gave the best notes actually."
Sia first dabbled in directing with last year's video for "Chandelier" as well as the video for "Big Girls Cry." She co-directed the controversial and somewhat confusing "Elastic Heart" video, which starred Maddie Ziegler as well as Shia LaBeouf frantically dancing about in scarce, nude clothing.
