Podcast Summary
Aisling's discomfort with magicians and performers: Aisling, a former publicist, values authenticity and comfort in her personal experiences, despite her past involvement in hyping up others.
Aisling Bee, a renowned guest, shared her discomfort with being around magicians and performers, finding their acts to be deceitful and disruptive to her personal enjoyment. Despite her past experiences with the show's producer, she graciously accepted the invitation to appear on the podcast. Aisling, an ex-publicist, has a history of hyping up others, but now prefers to keep a low profile and avoid the limelight. Her unique perspective adds depth to the conversation, showcasing the importance of authenticity and comfort in personal experiences.
The power of connection and kindness in dark times: Kindness and connection can provide essential tools for healing during difficult moments and have a ripple effect on someone's life.
Kindness and connection can have a profound impact on someone's life, even during their darkest moments. The speaker shared a story about reaching out to a friend during a time of deep depression, and the friend's response was to send her a self-help book. Although the speaker initially felt uncomfortable with the gesture, she later realized that the book provided her with the tools she needed to start healing. The friend's kindness and belief in her potential helped the speaker feel less alone and disconnected, ultimately leading her to a better place. The speaker also reflected on how she, too, has used self-help books and connections to help others in their times of need. The power of connection and kindness, even in small moments, can have a ripple effect and make a significant difference in someone's life.
The Importance of Challenging Perceived Notions: Recognize and challenge perceived notions of self and others, and find value in supporting each other through life's ups and downs.
Perception and reality can differ greatly, especially during moments of self-doubt or when comparing ourselves to others. The speaker in this conversation felt anxious about attending a party where they knew few people, but ultimately found the courage to go. They also expressed frustration with the way they and others perceived their own successes and failures, particularly in relation to their careers and nationality. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and challenging these perceived notions, and the value of supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. The speaker also shared a humorous moment about a misunderstanding regarding a comic book, adding a lighthearted element to the conversation. Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of self-compassion and the power of positive interactions with others.
Experience of movie premieres and comedy shows: Connection and unexpected humor: Movie premieres and comedy shows offer memorable experiences through genuine connections and shared laughter, despite the exhaustion of red carpets or comedians trying not to laugh.
The experience of attending a movie premiere or being part of a comedy show like "Roast of Matt Cooper" is about connection and unexpected humor. The lengthy red carpet event or the room filled with comedians trying not to laugh at each other can be embarrassing and exhausting, but the genuine interactions and shared laughter make it worthwhile. The show's concept, where comedians cannot laugh or smile without getting penalized, adds to the challenge and excitement. The ultimate goal is to win for charity, making the experience both competitive and rewarding. These shared moments of connection and laughter, whether on a red carpet or in a comedy roast room, can be more memorable and enjoyable than grand spectacles or planned performances.
The Joy of Local Comedy Shows: Amazon's investment in local comedy shows, with their unique jokes and high production value, brings joy to audiences by allowing them to share a comedic experience rooted in their culture.
Local comedy shows, which invest in jokes specific to their country, are a rarity in the entertainment industry due to the high production costs. Amazon, with its vast resources, is an exception. The success of such shows in various countries can be attributed to their ability to cater to the local audience, allowing them to share a unique comedic experience with others who have the same cultural references. During the conversation, the example of a show called "Zig and Zag" was given, where a character named Krista Berg emerged from a wall. The absurdity of the scene was compared to something you'd see in a murder documentary. The show's high production value was also noted, with the revolving wall set being particularly impressive. The speaker also shared their personal experience of watching a show called "Only Woman's Heart," a popular Irish song with a 30-year history. They found it hilarious to imagine singing it seriously to a group of people who weren't allowed to laugh, as it's a common experience in Ireland for people to sing this song to each other in emotional situations. Overall, the conversation highlighted the joy of experiencing comedy that resonates with one's culture and the importance of investing in local productions.
The Discomfort of Live Performances: Live performances can be uncomfortable due to audience engagement or unexpected challenges, but it's important to persevere and continue putting yourself out there.
Performing live can be an uncomfortable experience when the audience doesn't respond as expected. The speaker shared an experience where she felt the need to entertain herself during a performance due to a lack of audience engagement. She also discussed how her mother's reaction to a lack of laughter can impact her self-esteem. The speaker found it uncomfortable when someone else, in this case a girlfriend, mentioned her name in an inappropriate context during a social situation. Despite these challenges, the speaker emphasized the importance of persevering and continuing to put herself out there. She also took a moment to shout out a friend who had supported her in the past. Overall, the discussion highlights the vulnerability and unpredictability of live performances and the importance of resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.
Acting, comedy, and writing: Balancing different creative outlets: Acting offers freedom and connection, but can be lonely. Comedy provides laughter, but can be overwhelming. Writing demands focus, but offers personal fulfillment.
Ashley Jensen, an actress and comedian, shared her experiences in the entertainment industry, highlighting the importance of balancing different creative outlets and the challenges that come with each. She expressed that while performing stand-up comedy can offer freedom and the ability to connect with audiences, it can also be lonely and overwhelming. On the other hand, acting in films or TV shows allows her to explore different aspects of herself and escape reality, but it comes with the pressure of being someone else and adhering to production schedules. Writing, she mentioned, is the most challenging for her as it requires focus and dedication. Ultimately, Ashley emphasized the importance of embracing the unique aspects of each creative pursuit and recognizing that they all come with their own rewards and challenges.
Finding Inspiration in Real-life Conflicts: Writing is a challenging yet rewarding craft that demands patience, dedication, and creativity. Gain inspiration by observing real-life conflicts and collaborating with others.
Writing, especially for performers, is a long and challenging process. The joy and dopamine boost often come much later, after years of writing and refining. Jealousy and awe were expressed towards those who can write compelling stories and create vivid characters. One way to find inspiration and enjoy the process is by observing real-life situations and conflicts between people with high stakes, like in reality TV shows. However, some people may find it tough to work alone for extended periods and benefit from having someone to bounce ideas off. Overall, writing is a rewarding but demanding craft that requires patience, dedication, and creativity.
Creating content alone during the pandemic: Despite the challenges of creating content alone during the pandemic and facing misrepresentation in headlines, Aisling Bea found joy in the small moments and stayed true to herself.
Creating content, especially during challenging times, can be a lonely experience. Aisling Bea shared her experience of working alone during the pandemic while producing her second series, only receiving feedback through emails. Despite the lack of face-to-face interaction, she was thrilled to receive a BAFTA award but also faced criticism from headlines that misrepresented her words. Bea found humor in these situations, such as when a headline referred to her bringing Irish humor to a global audience as "having a bath in mash." Despite the challenges, Bea continued to create content and found joy in the small moments, like redecorating her bathroom to fit her BAFTA award. Ultimately, Bea's experience highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and finding humor in the unexpected.
The importance of support in creative pursuits: Success in creative fields requires resilience, determination, and a supportive network of loved ones. Belief in one's abilities and creating a unique identity can help overcome challenges and break into the industry.
The importance of finding a sense of safety and support in creative pursuits. The speakers shared their experiences of striving for success in the entertainment industry, including the desire to win awards and the challenges of establishing a unique identity as an actor. One speaker shared how her mother's belief in her abilities fueled her ambition, while another spoke about the importance of creating a new identity as an actor to distinguish oneself in the industry. The conversation also touched on the challenges women face in breaking into the industry and the importance of staying true to oneself despite obstacles. Overall, the conversation highlighted the resilience and determination required to succeed in creative fields, as well as the importance of having a supportive network of loved ones.
