Podcast Summary
Finding the Right Team: Unconventional Hiring Stories from Smosh: Perseverance and unexpected connections led Smosh to find essential team members, including their director Ryan, despite initial challenges and reluctance to change technology.
The Smosh team, specifically Ian Hecox and Courtney Ruth Miller, shared stories from their past experiences during the making of Smosh videos. One notable anecdote involved the hiring of Ryan as their director. Before Ryan, they had a producer who didn't meet their expectations. In need of a cameraperson, they were introduced to Ryan through their sound guy, who had worked with him on a previous project. The hiring process was unconventional, with Ryan eventually becoming an essential part of the Smosh team, working with them for over a decade. Another interesting tidbit was Ian's reluctance to shoot on digital tape during the transition from tape to digital, leading to longer shoot days for him. Overall, the conversation showcased the importance of perseverance and the serendipitous nature of finding the right team members for a project.
Meeting during a stormy night at a film group: Be open to new opportunities and adaptable to unexpected situations, as they can lead to successful professional relationships.
The beginning of a professional relationship can be unpredictable and may involve unexpected circumstances. The speakers in this conversation met at a small film group meeting in Sacramento during a stormy night in 2008. At the time, the production company was not consistent with their filming schedule, and there was a lack of discipline on set. Despite these challenges, the speakers went on to work together on multiple projects before it became a regular collaboration. The conversation also highlights the importance of being open to new opportunities and being adaptable to unexpected situations. The speakers' willingness to attend the film group meeting and their positive attitude towards working with each other, despite the initial challenges, ultimately led to a successful professional relationship.
Maintaining Professionalism on Set: Being well-rested and prepared is crucial for a successful production. Handle unexpected situations with authority and professionalism.
Being professional and responsible on set is crucial for a successful production. The speaker shares an experience where a crew member disregarded this by drinking excessively during off hours and sleeping on set, disrupting the workflow and causing frustration for others. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being well-rested and prepared for shoots, comparing it to going to war. While the speaker is generally a calm and nice person, they have had moments where they had to assert their authority and handle unexpected situations. One such instance was when a homeless guy came on set and stole a fruit cup, leading the speaker to have to confront him. Overall, the takeaway is that maintaining a professional attitude and being responsible for one's actions are essential on set.
Misunderstandings can lead to tense situations: Clear communication is essential to prevent misunderstandings and potential conflicts, especially when interacting with strangers in unfamiliar contexts.
Being vague about the nature of a project can sometimes lead to unexpected interactions. The speaker shared an experience where they were filming a comedy project in a park and a man approached them, curious about the food and large crew. When the speaker explained it was for the crew, the man became defensive and eventually pulled out box cutters. The situation escalated until the art director intervened and the police were called. In retrospect, the speaker realized they could have handled the situation differently and that the church they were shooting at often provided food for the homeless. The incident serves as a reminder that assumptions and misunderstandings can lead to tense situations, and clear communication is essential. Additionally, the speaker acknowledged that they were the one who caused the escalation and felt remorse. It's important to consider the context and potential implications of our actions, especially when interacting with strangers.
Unexpected experiences can lead to personal growth: Witnessing a violent incident led the speaker to a new perspective and eventually to the world of YouTube comedy, showcasing how unexpected events can lead to personal growth and new opportunities
First impressions can be misleading, and unexpected opportunities can lead to new experiences and growth. The speaker shares a story about witnessing a violent incident at a party, which at first seemed like a foolish mistake made by a questionable friend. However, the experience led him to a new perspective on his own skills and eventually to the world of YouTube comedy. When he first encountered the YouTube scene, he was skeptical and unsure of its value, but once he became involved, he discovered a new passion and community. This experience demonstrates how unexpected events can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.
Meeting and Starting a New Project: Collaborating with new partners can be exciting and challenging, but finding common ground and building a strong team can lead to successful projects.
The beginning of their collaboration was an exciting and fun experience for both parties involved. The speakers had a great first impression of each other, despite feeling a bit self-conscious at first. They met during a callback audition and hit it off immediately, with the speaker being impressed by Anthony's natural talent and ease in front of the camera. They also encountered some challenges, such as working with actors with limited experience, whom they affectionately referred to as "Sactors." Despite these challenges, they were able to find some talented individuals and create memorable content together. Overall, the experience was a positive one that laid the foundation for their future projects.
Casting challenges in Sacramento, finding unique talent: Despite challenges, perseverance and adaptability led to discovering talented actors in Sacramento's unique scene, emphasizing the importance of diverse casting.
Casting actors in Sacramento presented unique challenges due to the limited opportunities for entertainment and comedy acting experience. However, the team was able to find some standout performers, particularly theater actors, who often excelled in the comedy genre. One actress, Britney, was a favorite but was eventually let go after discovering adult content on her social media. Despite the occasional quirks, the team appreciated the authenticity and diversity of the Sacramento acting scene. As for working with each other on set, there were distinct differences between Ian and the speaker, but they generally got along well and had grown used to each other's quirks over time. The team's experiences highlight the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the casting process, as well as the value of finding unique talent in unexpected places.
Collaboration and Flexibility in Film Production: Effective communication and flexibility are crucial in film production. Stay specific about your vision, but remain open to new ideas. Understand roles and know when to offer feedback or take notes. Use clear communication to avoid misunderstandings, and employ a signal word to indicate focus, not frustration.
Effective communication and flexibility are key in film production. The speaker shares their experience of being specific about their vision while staying open to new ideas and suggestions. They acknowledge the importance of understanding roles and knowing when to take notes or offer feedback. The speaker also discusses the importance of clear communication to avoid misunderstandings on set. Additionally, they share their technique of using a signal word to indicate focus rather than frustration. The speaker reflects on their growth in their career and the importance of adapting to the production process. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of collaboration and adaptability in achieving the best possible outcome in film production.
Navigating creative differences on set: Directors must stay composed and collaborate effectively to navigate creative differences and ensure project progress.
The filmmaking process, especially at a high level, is a stressful environment that requires a great deal of composure and collaboration from the director. The discussion highlighted a particularly uncomfortable experience where creative differences arose on set, and the director, despite feeling strongly about the direction, had to collaborate and compromise to ensure the project moved forward. The director also acknowledged the coveted position of the director and the importance of collaboration, ensuring that everyone's ideas are heard and considered. Despite the challenges, the director emphasized the rewarding aspect of the process, as multiple options can be explored and the best take can be selected for various platforms. Ultimately, the ability to stay composed and collaborate effectively is crucial for a successful filmmaking experience.
Online content consumption shifts from websites to social media: Social media and YouTube dominate online content consumption, networks punish creators for linking off-platform, and fans' reactions can be intense, making it challenging for creators to navigate the online world
The landscape of online content consumption has significantly changed over the years, with social media and YouTube becoming the dominant platforms, while websites have largely faded away. Back in the day, fans would engage with behind-the-scenes content by visiting websites, but now, this content is primarily shared on social media. However, networks have started punishing creators for linking outside their platforms, making it less beneficial for content creators to drive traffic to their websites. This shift is driven by capitalism and the desire to keep users engaged on their platforms, leading to a more exclusive and fragmented online world. Fans' dedication and passion for their favorite content and creators can sometimes lead to intense reactions, as seen with the infamous Logan Paul incident at YouTube. Overall, the online world has become more complex and challenging for creators to navigate, requiring them to adapt to the ever-changing algorithms and user behaviors.
Security measures at online content creator conventions: From exciting to dangerous: Stricter security measures are necessary at online content creator conventions due to fan behavior ranging from enthusiastic to potentially dangerous, with tragic events serving as wake-up calls.
The security measures at online content creator conventions like VidCon have become increasingly important due to fan behavior that can range from exciting to dangerous. Witnessing chaotic fan encounters before stricter security measures were implemented, the speaker shared stories of fans chasing after creators, creating scenes reminiscent of a zombie apocalypse. The tragic event involving Christina Grimmie served as a wake-up call, leading to significant security improvements. The speaker emphasized the importance of prioritizing security at conventions and expressed trust in VidCon's ability to handle it effectively. The speaker's role in Smosh was highlighted as significant, with their contributions extending beyond content creation to shaping the brand's identity. Despite their instrumental role, the speaker expressed gratitude for not having to engage directly with fans, acknowledging the potential challenges that come with fan interaction.
Unsung Heroes in Production: The Role of the Director: Directors play a crucial role in shaping content, but often go unrecognized. The importance of a strong team and the replaceability of the director with the right team is emphasized.
Behind every public figure or production, there are unsung heroes who contribute significantly yet remain unrecognized. This was discussed in relation to the YouTube channel Smosh, where the speaker, who is one of the creators, highlighted how fans often only recognize the on-camera personas and overlook the role of the director or those behind the scenes. The speaker shared personal experiences of being recognized as a character rather than the director and how the fans' comments often contradict each other, praising the content while criticizing the direction. The speaker also emphasized the importance of the team and how the role of the director is crucial in filtering and bringing ideas to life, but also how replaceable it is with the right team in place. The speaker's analogy of the liver and the liver problems was used to describe the role of the director and the importance of having a healthy team to keep the production alive.
The early days of Smosh involved long hours and unexpected incidents: Building a successful production requires passion and determination, even when faced with overwhelming workloads and unexpected obstacles
The early days of Smosh involved long hours and intense work, with Ian and Anthony handling multiple roles and working seven days a week. They produced, directed, wrote, and edited content, and even had to deal with unexpected incidents like a diaper accident on an old couch. Their schedule was so aggressive that their personal lives and belongings, like their cars, suffered. However, despite the challenges, they remained dedicated to their craft and eventually brought on new team members to help lighten the load. This anecdote highlights the passion and determination required to build a successful production, even when faced with overwhelming workloads and unexpected obstacles.
Sharing a living space with a friend: Speaker values companionship and cost savings of living with friend, despite occasional inconvenience like snoring
Despite the speaker's unconventional living situation, he values the companionship and cost savings of sharing a living space with his friend. The speaker and his friend, Ryan, have an understanding arrangement where they live together every other week, with the speaker also occasionally staying at his other friend Ian's place. The speaker acknowledges that he snores loudly, but his friend is understanding and doesn't mind. They enjoy each other's company, watching movies together, and keeping costs down by microwaving their meals while traveling. The speaker also mentions that Ryan flies down from Sacramento every week to work with them, and that Sacramento is a nice place for raising a family, making it a more practical option for him compared to Los Angeles. Overall, the speaker values the companionship and cost savings of sharing a living space with his friend, even with the occasional inconvenience of snoring.
Enjoying simple pleasures enhances quality of life: Clear communication, respecting shared spaces, and enjoying simple pleasures contribute to a positive living situation with a roommate
Having a good living situation and being able to enjoy simple pleasures, like good food and a comfortable shower, can greatly enhance one's quality of life. During times of uncertainty, having access to prepared meals can provide ease and convenience. A good roommate or host can also add to the overall positivity of the living situation. Learning new words and sharing knowledge are other ways to strengthen the bond between roommates. The importance of clear communication and avoiding misunderstandings cannot be overstated. Additionally, being mindful of water usage and respecting shared spaces are essential aspects of living with a roommate. Overall, the little things in life, like a good meal or a relaxing shower, can make a big difference in our daily experiences.
Appreciating the freedom and harmony in a non-official relationship: Valuing respect, consideration, and surprise in a non-official relationship, maintaining harmony through personal space and shared activities.
The speaker enjoys the current dynamic of their relationship with Ian, as they're not officially together yet, allowing them to watch shows separately without any resentment. They appreciate Ian's consideration and the quality time they spend together watching shows and having their nightly Facetime calls with family. The speaker also values being a respectful guest, leaving Airbnbs clean, and trying to contribute to Ian's household. They've adopted a strategy of avoiding trailers to maintain the element of surprise in movies. Overall, the speaker cherishes the freedom and harmony in their relationship and daily life.
Effective use of music and visuals in trailers: Trailers that effectively use music and visuals can evoke emotions, create anticipation, and leave a lasting impression on viewers.
The use of music and subtle visual cues in trailers can significantly impact our subconscious perception and excitement for upcoming films. For instance, the orchestral theme of the Avengers or Joaquin Phoenix's cackle in the Joker trailer instantly evoked recognition and anticipation. Similarly, the mysterious and dramatic Frozen 2 trailer, with its different character hairstyles, piqued viewers' interest. Conversely, the dark and misleading Cars 3 trailer, which hinted at the death of the main character, left a bad taste and may have deterred potential viewers. Overall, the power of effective trailer marketing lies in the combination of intriguing visuals, evocative music, and subtle storytelling.
Lion Pride's Natural Infanticide: In the wild, lion cubs can fall victim to infanticide by their own fathers, ensuring only the strongest offspring survive.
Lion cubs sometimes fall victim to infanticide by their own fathers. This unfortunate behavior is a natural occurrence in the lion's wild habitat, where only the strongest offspring are meant to survive. The discussion also touched upon the dark humor aspect of the situation, acknowledging the irony of the pride's members celebrating their new cubs while one might be missing or dead. The conversation ended with a reminder to appreciate the SmoshCast and the opportunity to engage with interesting topics, even if some may be uncomfortable or controversial.
