3 Ways Jennifer Lawrence Trained For Her Role in Joy

Updated on 2/26/2016 at 6:00 AM

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When it comes to preparing for her movie roles, Jennifer Lawrence doesn't mess around. Before filming the Hunger Games trilogy, she had extensive training in combative techniques, tree climbing, and archery. But it's not just her physical roles that require preparation — Jen had plenty of ground work to do before taking on the role of Miracle Mop-inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano in her latest film Joy.

Between doing research and getting the technique just right, Jen proved that it takes hard work, dedication, and passion in order to succeed — but not without some classic J Law antics, of course. Here are three things she did to get herself ready — both mentally and physically.

Got to know the real Joy Mangano

With this role being the first in which Jen portrayed a real individual (versus a fictional character), she had to really get to know Joy in order to get into her mindset for the camera. Joy was someone who embodied hard work (like Jen, Joy gave up a lot to achieve her goals), and Jen spent hours with Joy, both in person and on the phone, to pick her brain and learn her characteristics. "Joy's mind is endlessly fascinating," Jen told the Sydney Morning Herald in December. Even the film's director, David O. Russell, joked with The Hollywood Reporter that Joy thought they were psychoanalyzing her with all the time they spent grilling her with questions.

Did hours of research

Prior to filming, Jen had to research the character she was portraying, Joy. Since Joy was a game changer in terms of home shopping network products (she invented the first self-wringing mop), Jen had her work cut out for her. Jen wasn't familiar with home shopping networks, so as research, she watched hours of QVC. She made sure to specifically watch Joy pitch her products on TV, and was so impressed with one of the products that she even tried to place an order (before realizing that she was watching a pre-recorded segment and couldn't actually order it).

Practiced around the clock

In the movie, Jen's character convinces the head of QVC, played by Bradley Cooper, to go on air herself to sell the mop after the lackluster sales when QVC's host tried to sell and demonstrate on air. Jen had never used a Miracle Mop before and had to be comfortable with the product for this scene. There were Miracle Mops all over the set, so they were always within reach to help Jen perfect her technique.

Jen practiced in her trailer in between takes and really studied the structure of the mop. Jen wanted to get into the mind of Joy Mangano to understand her design of the mop and how each part worked together to create it — she even got a lesson from Bradley Cooper, who used the Miracle Mop in college. When you want to become an expert at something, it's important that you find the time, and Jen did just that. It was likely all of this hard work and determination behind the scenes (with no one watching) that placed Jennifer Lawrence in the spotlight at the Oscars this season.

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