Now available on VOD and opening in select theaters this weekend is Clark Gregg’s latest directorial effort, Trust Me. Gregg wrote, directed, and stars in the pic as a down-on-his-luck agent for child actors who discovers a 13-year-old acting prodigy (Saxon Sharbino) and must subsequently deal with her overprotective father (Paul Sparks), an untrustworthy producer (Felicity Huffman), and his nemesis (Sam Rockwell) in order to get himself back on top. It’s been six years since Gregg’s directorial debut Choke and it’s great to see him again behind the camera. Trust Me also stars Amanda Peet, Allison Janney, William H. Macy, Molly Shannon, and Niecy Nash.

Last week I landed an extended video interview with Gregg. He talked about where the idea came from, how life imitated art with one of the actors, his first cut, deleted scenes, who he looked to for feedback on the film, how it’s even more difficult to make an independent movie since Choke, and more. In addition, Gregg also talked about the first season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., how the show came together, expanding Coulson’s character, how he’s excited for season two where they won’t have as many repeats, the global popularity of the show, and more. It’s a great interview so hit the jump to watch.

Clark Gregg Time Index:

Gregg found he had time after The Avengers to direct again.

0:40 – He had an idea for a noir/sci-fi movie like Blade Runner. Trust Me evolved out of that.

1:40 – Gregg recalls an example of life imitating art in his experience with one child actor.

3:00 – Talks about how he approaches negotiation.

4:15 – Says it was quick to write. The length of the first cut was about 105 minutes. Gregg cut everything he felt wasn’t necessary and ended up with about 85 minutes.

6:40 – Talks about friends and family he looks to for feedback on the film.

7:40 – Gregg appreciates his friends who are good actors and appealing to financiers.

9:25 – Says it’s a more difficult time to get an independent movie made since he made Choke. But his Marvel notoriety helped this time around.

10:50 – He is curious about the new model, releasing Trust Me first on VOD before it hits theaters.

12:40 – Talks about the experience of shooting 22 episodes of an hourlong action show with the public attention that comes with being a Marvel show.

15:30 – Talks about expanding Coulson’s character and how the show came together.

16:50 – Gregg is excited to have Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent 47 air together with fewer repeats.

17:50 – Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is very popular with global audiences.

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