Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade Paul Feig (IN STUDIO) Suits Up & Ditches Stand Up For Directing
Dec 18, 2025
Paul Feig, the talented writer-director known for creating Freaks and Geeks and helming films like Bridesmaids and Ghostbusters, joins the hosts for a lively discussion. He shares hilarious audition stories, reveals why he switched from stand-up to directing, and reminisces about his work on The Office. Paul dives into the art of improvisation in Bridesmaids, touches on his experiences with Melissa McCarthy, and previews his upcoming thriller, The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney. Plus, there's talk about AI's role in filmmaking!
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Early Audition Chaos Shaped His Path
- Paul Feig recalls auditioning for Tales from the Crypt and the chaotic audition environment with big personalities and magicians.
- He used those early performance experiences to shape his transition from stand-up to TV and film work.
Make The Set Safe For Trying
- Create a safe set where actors can try things without fear of ridicule to encourage discovery.
- When a spontaneous moment works, prioritize capturing it even if it means revisiting coverage.
Capture Reactions Live On Set
- Feig describes preferring cross-shooting to capture real-time reactions and spontaneous comic moments on set.
- He often turns the camera back when a discovered bit lands to preserve that unique magic.