Podcast Summary
The Office Ladies podcast: Determination and perseverance in the entertainment industry can lead to success, as shown by Jake Lacy's journey from being rejected to landing a role on The Office and continuing his acting career
Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, who played Pam and Angela on The Office, have started a podcast called "The Office Ladies" where they rewatch episodes of the show and share behind-the-scenes stories. In this episode, they were excited to interview Jake Lacy, who played Pete on The Office, and discussed his performance and other projects he's worked on since then. Lacy shared how he got the role on The Office after being rejected from a pilot, and how he was determined to be a part of the show despite the competition. The interview provides an insight into the casting process and the determination required to succeed in the entertainment industry.
Office auditions: The Office's unique on-set auditions add excitement and pressure, with a surreal experience for fans of the show and a professional and camaraderie-filled work environment.
The Office's unique audition process stood out to both Jake and the speaker, making for a surreal and memorable experience. Unlike typical auditions in conference rooms with executives, the Office's auditions were improvised on set, which added to the excitement and pressure. The speaker even shared that they were a fan of the show, making the experience even more unbelievable. Additionally, the speaker was impressed by the professionalism and camaraderie among the cast and crew, despite the challenges of filming in tight spaces and long hours. The speaker's first day on set was filled with laughter and nerves, as they tried to keep up with the experienced cast members. The work bus episode, which was infamously hot and cramped, was a particularly challenging experience for the speaker, but also a memorable one as they worked alongside Bryan Cranston and the rest of the cast.
The Office bus rides: Despite dangerous conditions and frustrations, cast bonded over shared experiences and Jake Gyllenhaal's dedication to role brought laughter and unique camaraderie.
The cast of The Office experienced many memorable moments during their time filming, from bus rides filled with calamities to obsessive memorization of scenes from Die Hard. The bus rides were a source of frustration and even danger, with fumes billowing in and accidents occurring. The cast members bonded over their shared experiences, with some even threatening to quit until the issues were addressed. On a lighter note, Jake Gyllenhaal's dedication to his role in the show was evident in his memorization of long scenes and attention to detail, even going so far as to use his own hair clippings to create a mustache for a scene. Overall, the cast's experiences show the unique camaraderie and dedication that developed during their long filming process.
Clear direction and subtle character development: Clear direction from a director allows for effective scene work and subtle character development, leading to memorable moments and a deeper story
During the filming of "The Office," Pete was focused on keeping a cool demeanor around his colleagues, unaware that they were excited to have him there. He appreciated Jon Favreau's clear direction and guidance during filming, which allowed for effective scene work and subtle character development. Favreau's ability to understand the story and the characters enabled him to make meaningful improvements and create memorable moments, such as Pete's interaction with Ellie and his reaction to learning about Aaron's relationship. These moments showcased the private connections between characters and added depth to the story, rather than relying on quippy dialogue. Overall, Pete's experience working with Favreau on "The Office" highlighted the importance of clear communication, effective direction, and the power of subtle, authentic character interactions.
The Office experiences: Being a part of 'The Office' brought Jake memorable moments on and off camera, despite feeling like an outsider at times, and the confined conference room led to the hardest laughs.
Working on "The Office" was a surreal experience filled with memorable moments both on and off camera for Jake. He recalled feeling like an outsider during the final talking head scene, but cherished being a part of the show's creation. Other unforgettable moments included the last table read, unexpected encounters with cast and crew, and losing it during particularly funny scenes, especially in the conference room. Jake also shared a fresh memory of being slapped by Aunt Shirley during filming, which left him in shock and laughter. The confined space of the conference room often led to the hardest laughs for Jake, and he fondly remembered Zack Woods' unexpected improvisations during their scenes together. Despite feeling like a guest on the show, Jake expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of "The Office" and the unforgettable experiences it brought him.
The Office experience: Actor shares stories about filming The Office, food poisoning incident, hopes for Pete and Aaron's friendship, recognition as 'Plop', and potential move to Italy for work
The actor, who played the character "Plop" or Pete on The Office, shared stories about his experiences on set and his connection to his character. He discussed a particular episode where he had food poisoning and couldn't contain his laughter during filming, and how he hopes Pete and Aaron remained friends post-show. The actor also shared that he is often recognized as "Plop" and the difference between being recognized versus being mistakenly called out in public. Additionally, he spoke about his first professional acting job at age 16 and his desire to learn Italian, potentially moving to Italy for work due to the remote nature of his acting career.
Jake Lacy's Cultural Experiences: Actor Jake Lacy cherishes his childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia, and yearns for full cultural immersion, contrasting his expat experiences. He enjoys weekends with trail running and reading, and indulges in pizza and Frosted Mini-Wheats as midnight snacks.
Jake Lacy, a beloved actor known for his roles in "The Office" and other shows, shared his fond memories of living abroad in Jakarta, Indonesia, during his childhood and expressed his desire to immerse himself in a new culture, like Italy, rather than just floating around as an expat. He also discussed his love for weekends filled with trail running and reading, and his favorite midnight snacks, including pizza and Frosted Mini-Wheats. The conversation also highlighted Jake's experiences working on "The Office" and his warm relationship with his co-stars, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. Overall, the conversation provided an insightful look into Jake's personal life and career, showcasing his love for adventure, fitness, and good food.