As Variety notes, Nomadland, which is based on Jessica Bruder's titular non-fiction book, follows a group of people who live outside of society after losing everything when the economy went bust. McDormand plays Fern, the only actor amongst a group of real-life nomads. Authenticity was key, which led to Zhao, McDormand, and a small crew driving across America for a months-long research trip during which the actress lived out of a van and worked menial jobs.
Zhao explained, "It was really about setting up an ecosystem, working with the nomads, because they are not always stationary and getting Fran to blend in." Her leading lady confirmed, "Because of that, we were able to move swiftly and live in the community of the van-dwellers in a way that wasn't disruptive." McDormand was so convincing she was offered a job in a Nebraska Target, much to her excitement. She reminisced, "I went back to Chloé and said: 'It's working!'"
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