Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth - S1: #8 "We Almost Killed Our Director"
Episode Information
- Title: We Almost Killed Our Director
- Podcast: Smosh Mouth
- Hosts: Shayne Topp (Short), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Tall), and rotating Smosh friends
- Guest: Ryan Finnerty
- Release Date: April 10, 2019
Introduction to Ryan Finnerty's Role
The episode kicks off with Shayne and Amanda introducing Ryan Finnerty, the longtime director of Smosh. They delve into Ryan's decade-long journey with the team, highlighting his pivotal role behind the scenes.
"Ryan Finnerty has been delivering thrills for over a decade."
— Ian Hecox [00:18]
Early Days of Smosh and Ryan's Entry
Shayne recounts his initiation into directing Smosh content around 2010-2011, transitioning from the earlier days when he and Anthony managed directing duties themselves.
"Before that, it was like myself and then sometimes Anthony, like, kind of doing like a little co-directing thing."
— Courtney Miller [02:20]
Ryan shares his first experience directing for Smosh, emphasizing the shift from analog to digital filming and the challenges it presented, such as handling DV tapes and managing lengthy shoot days.
"The first thing I shot for you guys, you handed me a Panasonic DVX100 that still shot on DV tape... suddenly it was the longest shoot day."
— Ryan Finnerty [02:51]
Challenges with Early Production and Crew Reliability
The conversation highlights the lack of discipline during Smosh’s initial filming years. Courtney reminisces about unreliable crew members who often showed up hungover or intoxicated, disrupting the shooting process.
"One of the camera people that we had before you, Ryan, ... he took breaks from shooting to go throw up in the bathroom."
— Courtney Miller [07:52]
Ian adds a humorous yet tense anecdote about a challenging day on set involving a disoriented makeup artist who had been excessively drinking, leading to an almost violent confrontation.
"He immediately got pissed off, went to his bag and pulled out two box cutters... you just prepared for it."
— Ian Hecox [14:59]
The Fruit Cup Incident
A significant moment in the episode is the recounting of the "fruit cup story." Ryan describes an encounter with a young man on set who reacted aggressively after being denied access to the crew's refreshments. The situation escalated quickly, revealing the risks directors like Ryan face.
"He had these two box cutters and literally, like, pulls them out... That's one of those moments where you almost kill your director."
— Ryan Finnerty [15:24]
Ian reflects on the incident with remorse, recognizing that the director may have inadvertently provoked the situation by being dismissive of the man's request.
"In retrospect from that situation, I am actually the asshole."
— Ian Hecox [15:55]
Sactors: Sacramento's Acting Scene
The hosts discuss the term "sactors" — actors based in Sacramento who often lack professional training or experience compared to those in Los Angeles. They share their experiences casting local talent, noting both the challenges and the hidden gems they found.
"A lot of these people were actors, but they never were entertainment actors and they certainly weren't comedy actors."
— Ian Hecox [23:23]
Courtney mentions specific actors like Tom Hart, whom they frequently cast as their "old man," appreciating the unique flair these local actors brought to their sketches.
"Tom Hart was great. He was very endearing."
— Courtney Miller [23:36]
Evolution of Production Processes
The discussion shifts to how Smosh's production has evolved over the years. Initially, Ian was juggling multiple roles—directing, producing, handling payroll—which led to burnout. Over time, the team streamlined their processes, introducing specialized roles to manage different aspects of production more efficiently.
"We kept that consistency. We like to have at least one hungover and drunk person on set... It just keeps things fresh."
— Ian Hecox [08:18]
Ryan and Courtney talk about implementing strategies to improve on-set communication and collaboration, such as developing a safety word to signal frustration without escalating tensions.
"We developed a safety word to know if someone was mad or just focused."
— Ian Hecox [30:38]
Working Dynamics and Personal Anecdotes
The episode delves into the personal dynamics between the hosts and Ryan. They share lighthearted stories about living arrangements, mutual support, and the camaraderie that sustains their collaborative efforts.
"You're such a big part of Smosh. Without you, it would be a huge impact."
— Courtney Miller [45:00]
Ian humorously compares his role to being the liver of the Smosh body, processing and managing the creative output to keep everything running smoothly.
"I like to think of myself as the liver that processes the alcohol."
— Ian Hecox [45:04]
Conclusion and Reflections
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the journey they've undertaken together with Ryan, acknowledging both the hurdles and the successes. They emphasize the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and maintaining a positive environment despite the pressures of content creation.
"We've built up such a great crew, so I 100% appreciate the comment that it's like, without me, there would be this gap or whatever."
— Ian Hecox [48:31]
Ryan expresses gratitude for being part of the Smosh family, highlighting the strong bonds that have been forged over years of collaborative work.
"I love talking with you guys. This is what couples goals is what it is."
— Ryan Finnerty [62:24]
Notable Quotes:
-
"Ryan Finnerty has been delivering thrills for over a decade."
— Ian Hecox [00:18] -
"I started directing, I've been with you guys for 10 years, but I don't think I started directing until 2010 or 11."
— Courtney Miller [02:20] -
"He immediately got pissed off, went to his bag and pulled out two box cutters... you just prepared for it."
— Ian Hecox [14:59] -
"You are a resident Vine expert... but we're definitely shooting over six seconds and we're not really sticking to it."
— Courtney Miller [32:27] -
"I like to think of myself as the liver that processes the alcohol."
— Ian Hecox [45:04]
Final Thoughts "We Almost Killed Our Director" offers an intimate glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of Smosh, highlighting the dedication, challenges, and humorous moments that define their creative process. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, the episode underscores the value of teamwork and resilience in the ever-evolving landscape of content creation.