Office Ladies Second Drink: Business School
Sep 1, 2025
Brent Forrester, a writer for The Office, joins the conversation to share his behind-the-scenes memories from the iconic 'Business School' episode. He recounts working with director Joss Whedon and delves into hilarious scenes featuring Michael and Ryan. The discussion also highlights Pam's poignant art show and the creative process behind her watercolor paintings. Adding to the fun, Kate Flannery shares her experiences filming the memorable bat scene, blending nostalgia and comedy as they reflect on character dynamics and the show's timeless humor.
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Episode notes
Use Small Visual Gags To Elevate Jokes
- When directing, add visual details that enhance jokes; they can become iconic and aren't always scripted.
- Brent credits Joss Whedon with the unscripted Dracula collar flip that elevated the vampire gag.
Three Bats Built The Illusion
- The episode used three types of bats: live bat shots, CGI flying shots, and a mechanical bat for close interaction.
- Producers combined wranglers, VFX, and props to create safe, convincing bat effects.
Director Halted Shooting For A Stapler
- Joss Whedon insisted a watercolor of a stapler replace a church painting at Pam's show and halted production to get it made.
- An AD recruited an art student on campus who produced the stapler watercolor right on location.
