Los Angeles, April 3 (NationPress) Hollywood star James McAvoy has revealed that the process of making California Schemin' was exceptionally challenging, leaving a significant impact on him during production.

The actor described his experience as a director, stating that it was "a nightmare (he) wouldn't wish on (his) worst enemy," according to ‘Female First UK’.

At 46, this marked McAvoy's directorial debut with the film, which narrates the real-life story of the Scottish rap duo Silibil N' Brains, who masqueraded as Americans to break into the music scene. He admitted to being overwhelmed by the complexities of balancing direction with his acting role in the project.

During an appearance on ‘The Claudia Winkleman Show’, McAvoy expressed, "I always aimed to create films that reflect the lives of individuals from low-income backgrounds, particularly from council estates or schemes as we refer to them in Scotland. I wouldn't wish the dual role of directing and acting on my worst enemy... it was a nightmare."

According to ‘Female First UK’, McAvoy shared how he often found himself focused on guiding the cast, while simultaneously being alerted to issues like insufficient Portaloos for the crew.

He elaborated, "You'd be trying to convey, 'I need more love' or 'I need more comedy', and someone would be whispering in your ear, 'We can't secure the Portaloos for tomorrow.'"

The Atonement star previously mentioned that California Schemin' was the perfect project for his first directorial venture, as it revolves around characters with backgrounds similar to his own.

In an interview with ‘Empire’ magazine, he stated, "I wanted to highlight stories of people from backgrounds like mine, whom I recognize and relate to. Individuals with limited opportunities and inherent humility. However, I aimed to craft a film that is not only entertaining but also emotionally resonant and honest about the struggles faced by those from low-income backgrounds."

He continued, “Moreover, it features two characters dealing with a common Scottish phenomenon—the reactions we receive from those unfamiliar with our dialect when they hear our accents. As a white, Northern European male, I understand that my experiences with discrimination aren't the most severe. Yet, they are real for many Scots. My accent has softened significantly; I no longer sound like I did growing up in a Glasgow council estate. Yet, I still encounter people who say, 'I'm so sorry. Would you mind slowing down?'"

Despite the challenges, McAvoy concluded that he ultimately found joy in the directing experience.

"It was incredibly stressful—perhaps the most taxing experience of my life, especially during my midlife crisis. Am I directing this film because of that? Maybe. But I genuinely love doing it," he added.