Arnold began writing the screenplay in 2013 and it was first announced under the pre-production title '' Mag Crew '' at Film4 's 2013 Cannes Film Festival party . Arnold has said the movie was inspired by an investigative piece she read in The New York Times about mag crews . The film was optioned from The Times and Ian Urbina in 2008 . Arnold became inspired by lives of American youths in " magazine crews " who travel the United States selling magazine subscriptions , an occupation that has caused controversy in the United States . In researching for the film , Arnold embarked on a road trip from California to Miami , Florida . In late 2013 , Arnold was the Filmmaker-in-Residence at the New York Film Festival . During this time , she worked on the second draft of the script and used the opportunity to meet with potential casting directors
2013 Cannes Film Festival
2013 Cannes Film Festival
American Honey (film)