Diablo Cody

Diablo Cody Credit: Diablo Cody

Diablo Cody can officially add director to her impressive, Oscar-winning resume.

The “Juno” screenwriter’s debut behind the camera, “Paradise,” hits theaters Friday.

amNewYork spoke with Cody about the film, which follows a young woman (Julianne Hough) from a religious background who experiences Las Vegas for the first time after surviving a terrible accident.

Why direct this one?

I don’t think I ever really felt that I was ready to do it and I still, in retrospect, don’t really feel that I was ready to do it. ... I wanted to know what it would be like to take the script to screen.

What surprised you about the experience?

I didn’t really understand the actors’ process. ... As a director, you have to get in there and figure out what makes them tick.

I bet the cast, including Russell Brand and Octavia Spencer, made it easier.

Big time. I couldn’t have done better with the actors. They made my life easier every day.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes you to a few special places 'Out East' Credit: Newsday Staff

Out East Show: Shrine of Our Lady of the Island, Browder's Birds & Sheep Shearing, and Bennett Shellfish in Montauk NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes you to a few special places 'Out East'

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes you to a few special places 'Out East' Credit: Newsday Staff

Out East Show: Shrine of Our Lady of the Island, Browder's Birds & Sheep Shearing, and Bennett Shellfish in Montauk NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes you to a few special places 'Out East'

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