Hollywood star Jesse Eisenberg says he was inspired to base his latest film around musical theatre because "it's the world I know".
Eisenberg, 43, has appeared in films such as Zombieland and Now You See Me, and earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in 2010 film The Social Network.
Eisenberg has also worked behind the camera on films such as A Real Pain and When You Finish Saving The World, as well as his latest project The Debut – which he wrote and directed.
"The movie is about a very shy woman who finds her family and her home and her voice in the world of musical theatre – but it could have been anything," Eisenberg said ahead of the film's UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.
"I write it about musical theatre because it's the world I know, and it's the same thing that happened to me.
"For some people who are so in need of something, almost anything can fill that hole."
The upcoming musical-comedy stars Julianne Moore as a housewife who becomes obsessed with her role in a local community theatre musical, falling under the influence of domineering director Jerry (Paul Giamatti).
He praised the stars of The Debut, and said: "They work really hard, but they don't tell you about it.
"They're not the kind of people who go on set and tell you how hard they've worked, they just come and do a great job and you trust they're doing whatever they need."
Moore, who is known for her Oscar-winning role in Still Alice, said she thought the story of her character was important.
"She finds community for the first time," the US actress said.
"She finds a place where she belongs, and she finds it through her own creative journey.
"It's this wonderful thing to find yourself and find other people – because really that's where we thrive, in relationship to others."