Filmmaking is a complex and collaborative effort for writer-director Alexander Payne. The first steps are taken by a single writer deciding to sit down and create a story. Payne has become a darling of Hollywood Awards shows after writing and directing several critical and commercial successes. Payne has been on hiatus and returns with a collaboration with his “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers.”

Writing “The Holdovers” became a cathartic experience for Payne as he sought to develop a role specifically for Giamatti. Alexander Payne admits the writing process for “The Holdovers” took him out of his comfort zone. Payne’s process is to write each script without specific stars in mind. Later, Payne will cast each role based on the movie’s budget and actor availability.

The role of the cantankerous Professor Paul Hunham at a 1960s prep school cried out for Paul Giamatti’s skills from the first day of writing. Alexander Payne believes creating the role for Giamatti was the best decision because he was able to craft Professor Hunham’s lines to suit Giamatti’s delivery.

“The Holdovers” takes place at the end of the 1960s and the start of the 70s as Professor Hunham is left in charge of the students left behind during the Holidays. The change in Payne’s writing process has added to the success Giamatti feels for his director. Giamatti explained he could happily never act again after completing the production of “The Holdovers” because of the quality of his role.

Alexander Payne has become one of the best-loved writer-directors in Hollywood. The Nebraska native has been selective in the movies he creates, with Paye believing his career is still young. The filmmaker is looking to add to his two Academy Award wins for Best Adapted Screenplay. He has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director on three occasions. “The Holdovers” marks the return of the creative partnership between Paul Giamatti and Payne. The 2004 movie was beloved by critics and has been the subject of sequel rumors for over a decade. Alexander Payne has stated he does not wish to return to the characters of “Sideways.”