Hollywood's Indie Darling Brit Marling on Making Movies and Dumpster Diving (Yep, You Read That Right!)

Glamour: How did your family react to your adventure?

Brit Marling: By that point my parents already thought I'd lost my mind. I'd studied economics and art at Georgetown University, then passed on an investment-banking job and headed to Cuba to make a documentary. Later I moved to L.A. to become an actress. The other day I was thinking about what I'd do if I stopped acting, and I couldn't answer the question. So I think I'll just stick with it!

Glamour: What's the story behind your name?

Brit Marling: I was originally going to be named Borganny—what were my parents thinking?! Thankfully, they named me after my great-grandmother instead. When I was young, I thought Brit sounded kind of boyish. So I'd tell people to call me Franny. I guess it was an early attempt at acting. Now I love my name. It just took me a little while.

What do you think of Brit? Gorgeous, right?

Photos: KT Auleta