The Art and Challenges of Comedic Storytelling

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7

Jay Chandrasekhar is a director, writer, stand-up comic, and actor. Some of his works include directing Super Troopers, Beerfest, and Dukes of Hazzard. He has also directed episodes of Arrested Development, Community, and New Girl. Jay also wrote Mustache Shenanigans (2017) and co-hosts the podcast Mustache Tales. In this episode, Robinson and Jay discuss his growth as a writer, the importance of purpose in comedy and film, creative integrity in Hollywood, working on Supertroopers, and his time with Johnny Knoxville and the Jackass crew.

Mustache Tales: https://www.mustachetales.com

Mustache Shenanigans: https://a.co/d/8DZscAT

Opening Scene of Super Troopers: https://youtu.be/-wdVF_zJS4s?si=goQsJLqLqvBbMyF0

OUTLINE

00:00 Introduction

02:58 Jay’s Name Means…What?

5:22 Mustache Shenanigans

7:54 The Importance of Strong Beginnings in Comedy

20:41 The Importance of Purpose in Comedy and Film

24:39 Keeping Creative Integrity in Hollywood

32:20 On Writing a Novel

36:32 How to Have a Good Podcast

41:34 On Working with the Jackass Crew

59:20 Developing the Talent of a Storyteller

1:12:20 Breaking Down the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, and everyone in-between.