Team Deakins BILL HADER - Actor / Director / Showrunner
Sep 13, 2023
Bill Hader, the talented actor and showrunner known for 'Barry' and 'SNL,' shares his unique journey from Tulsa to Hollywood, including a humorous tale of being rejected from film school. He recounts chaotic and funny moments as a PA on low-budget films and discusses the challenges and joys of co-showrunning 'Barry' with Alec Berg. Hader highlights the art of casting, directing, and balancing the emotional depth of storytelling while addressing the evolving landscape of cinema and the importance of classic films.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rejected For Being Too Entertaining
- Bill Hader was rejected from film school for being "too entertaining" because his films were more industry-inspired rather than art films.
- Despite rejection, he persevered by distributing VHS copies of his work and later got into improv classes that led him to SNL.
Emotion Over Jokes In Storytelling
- A story's emotional logic must cohere before adding humor or jokes.
- Emotions and believable feelings dictate storytelling more than immediate comedy.
Learning From Chaotic PA Jobs
- Bill Hader worked as a production assistant on very low-budget films and saw the chaos of having multiple cameras covering the same shot with no clear plan.
- He learned the importance of having a clear plan and discouraging covering shots that aren't used in final edits.