Doremus studied directing at the AFI Conservatory, being the youngest fellow ever accepted into the film school.[6] Doremus' mother, Cherie Kerr, was a founding member of the legendary L.A. The Groundlings. Doremus grew up on Kerr's stage, performing with the Orange County Crazies, starting at the age of six as an improv comedy player. He went on to produce and direct for that organization, including his own original works.[citation needed] At the recommendation of a talent agent in 2008, Doremus was introduced to producer Jonathan Schwartz, who would produce his subsequent four films.[7]
His 2011 film Like Crazy has been described as loosely inspired by his real life experiences.[8] It stars Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence.[9] Most of the dialogue in the film was improvised, with only a 50-page detailed outline as a script.[10] The film was shot in a month on only a $250,000 budget, and won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.[10]
It was announced that Doremus is teaming with Amazon to co-executive produce and direct a television series based on Jardine Libaire's book White Fur.[28][29] Doremus is set to direct another romantic drama entitled Aurora, produced by CJ Entertainment.[30] It was also announced that Doremus has signed a two-year deal with Paramount Television to develop new projects and direct existing projects.[13]
Personal life
Doremus' film Like Crazy was inspired by his own long-distance relationship and marriage. In an interview with IndieWire, he said:
I'm a divorcee. I got married to this woman to try and get her back, I went through the visa stuff, to try and get her back in the States... I'd spent so much time here, visiting someone when I was in a long-distance relationship, so I was so familiar with what it feels like to be jet-lagged, and only be here for 5 days, and try to be romantic, and try to fit in the love, and try to relive what we were going through, while taking in a new city, and being nine hours ahead. That relationship was from 2001 to 2008. she was in the US from 2001-2004, so from 04-08 it was back and forth, four years of long distance.[10]
Doremus lives in London and Los Angeles with his wife, artist Triana de Lamo Terry and daughter Tallulah.