Smosh Mouth Episode #8: Reading Our Rejected Sketches w/ Angela Giarratana
Release Date: August 14, 2023
Hosts: Shayne Topp (Short), Amanda Leehancanto (Tall)
Guest: Angela Giarratana
Introduction
In the eighth episode of Smosh Mouth, hosts Shayne Topp and Amanda Leehancanto welcome their guest, Angela Giarratana, to delve into a personal and creative exploration of writer’s block. The episode centers around overcoming creative hurdles by sharing and critiquing rejected sketches, providing listeners with an intimate look into the creative processes and struggles faced by content creators.
Welcoming Angela Giarratana (00:01 - 01:24)
The episode begins with Shayne and Amanda introducing Angela. A humorous exchange ensues as they attempt to pronounce Angela’s last name correctly, ultimately settling on “Giratana.” Angela shares a lighthearted anecdote about her father’s pronunciation, setting a relaxed and friendly tone for the conversation.
Notable Quote:
Shayne Topp (00:10): “It also doesn't help that on. On. You don't have your actual last name.”
Exploring Writer’s Block (01:24 - 05:17)
The discussion shifts to a common hurdle in the creative world: writer’s block. Shayne admits his long-standing struggle with motivation and perfectionism, attributing part of it to burnout from constant content creation at Smosh. Amanda shares her perspective, emphasizing the importance of external inspiration and the difficulty of initiating creative projects without fresh input.
Angela adds that the high-pressure environment at Smosh, where content often needs to be produced rapidly (e.g., live shows), exacerbates the creative block. The trio acknowledges that balancing content creation with personal creative projects is challenging but essential for sustaining creativity.
Notable Quote:
Shayne Topp (02:00): “I struggle with motivation and the creature creative world.”
Overcoming Writer’s Block Through Collaboration (05:17 - 15:15)
The conversation evolves into strategies for overcoming writer’s block. Shayne praises Patrick, a long-time Smosh contributor, for his relentless creativity driven by passion rather than external validation. Angela highlights Patrick’s method of processing emotions through writing, likening it to journaling.
Amanda introduces the idea of collaborative exercises to break the isolation often associated with creative stasis. The hosts discuss the psychological barriers, such as fear of failure and the pressure of perfectionism, that hinder creative flow. Shayne shares insights from the book Radical Acceptance, emphasizing the need to embrace imperfections to move forward.
Notable Quotes:
Shayne Topp (06:24): “I want to enjoy the process, and I've struggled with that for my entire life.”
Angela Giarratana (15:15): “Human beings have to do things together.”
The "Dog Shit" Sketch Exercise (15:15 - 30:26)
To tackle their creative blocks, Shayne, Amanda, and Angela embark on an exercise to write intentionally poor sketches, referred to humorously as “dog shit” sketches. The premise is to lower the stakes and remove judgment, allowing creativity to flow without the constraints of perfectionism.
Shayne shares his sketches titled "The Mime Family," a short, intentionally goofy sketch about a family of mimes. The trio reads and critiques the sketches, finding humor in their flaws and recognizing the value in producing low-stakes creative work.
Notable Quotes:
Amanda Leehancanto (08:44): “If it's not absolute dog shit, I'm quitting. Smosh.”
Shayne Topp (20:24): “This sketch is called the Mime Family.”
Improving the "Mime Family" Sketch (30:26 - 47:36)
The group reads through their "Mime Family" sketches, discussing how they can enhance the humor and narrative despite the intentional flaws. They experiment with different lines and scenarios, such as incorporating unexpected dialogues and actions that break the mime’s silent facade.
Shayne expresses admiration for the unrestrained creativity that comes from not overthinking, while Amanda and Angela provide constructive feedback to refine the sketches. The exercise serves as a practical demonstration of how embracing imperfection can rekindle creative enthusiasm.
Notable Quotes:
Shayne Topp (22:43): “I think the joke of this is that you think they're gonna sit silently the whole time and then it's just a shouting match.”
Angela Giarratana (30:02): “You guys can't be here. I'm cleaning this window.”
Introducing Angela’s "Ham Cake" Sketch (47:36 - 60:48)
Angela presents her rejected sketch titled "Ham Cake," a five-page piece that initially seemed chaotic but ultimately showcases her unique comedic style. The sketch features two moms in a park, engaging in absurd and exaggerated dialogues, blurring the lines between reality and surrealism.
The hosts read through the script, laughing at the unexpected twists and the blend of mundane and bizarre elements. Angela explains her process of writing under pressure and the significance of relinquishing control to foster creativity. The group praises the sketch’s improvisational feel, acknowledging its potential despite its rejection.
Notable Quotes:
Angela Giarratana (37:22): “Ham cake has the flavoring of ham.”
Shayne Topp (45:03): “Shane, this was so much fun.”
Reflections and Insights (60:48 - End)
The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the benefits of sharing and critiquing poor sketches. They emphasize that such exercises can alleviate the fear of failure and encourage continuous creative output. The interaction fosters a sense of community and mutual support, essential for overcoming creative blocks.
Shayne, Amanda, and Angela express enthusiasm for future collaborative projects, including potentially performing the sketches live or filming them for social media platforms like TikTok. The episode ends on a high note, celebrating their collective effort and newfound motivation.
Notable Quotes:
Amanda Leehancanto (58:20): “This is a two day rate because we'll do Escape Room after.”
Angela Giarratana (60:46): “This is like. And this is so fucking funny.”
Conclusion
Smosh Mouth Episode #8 serves as an engaging exploration of writer’s block and the creative processes behind sketch comedy. Through candid discussions and practical exercises, Shayne, Amanda, and Angela demonstrate the importance of collaboration, embracing imperfection, and maintaining a playful attitude towards creativity. The episode not only entertains but also offers valuable insights for creatives struggling with similar challenges.
Final Takeaway:
By lowering the barriers of perfectionism and fostering a supportive environment, creators can overcome writer’s block and reignite their creative passions.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Shayne Topp (02:00): “I struggle with motivation and the creature creative world.”
- Amanda Leehancanto (08:44): “If it's not absolute dog shit, I'm quitting. Smosh.”
- Angela Giarratana (15:15): “Human beings have to do things together.”
- Angela Giarratana (37:22): “Ham cake has the flavoring of ham.”
- Shayne Topp (45:03): “Shane, this was so much fun.”