Simon Rich’s Subtle Genius on Writing Comedy That Sticks

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Simon Rich (SNL, Miracle Workers, An American Pickle) talks with Jake Williams about how he generates premises for his stories. Find out how he never runs out of ideas to explore and apply it to your own writing process!
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About Simon Rich:
Simon Rich is an American humorist, novelist, and screenwriter. He has published two novels and three collections of humor pieces, several of which appeared in The New Yorker. Rich was one of the youngest writers ever hired on Saturday Night Live, and served as a staff writer for Pixar. An American Pickle is a 2020 American comedy-drama film directed by Brandon Trost (in his solo directorial debut) and written by Simon Rich, based on his 2013 short story "Sell Out". The film stars Seth Rogen as a Jewish immigrant who gets preserved in a vat of pickles and wakes up in modern-day New York City, attempting to fit in with the assistance of his last remaining descendant (also played by Rogen).
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Learn from real screenwriters. Learn the most without wasting time listening to long interviews with only 3 minutes of useful information. We take the best pieces of advice and insight from professional screenwriters and deliver them to you in an easily watchable format.
Generating 100 Story Premises with Simon Rich
• Simon Rich’s Subtle Ge...
#screenwriting #anamericanpickle #HBOMax

[@JakeandMaddieComedy]

Thanks for letting me interview one of my heroes! Simon Rich is an absolute genius, and everyone should try to read every word he's ever written.

[@Kishan_Baijnath]

This is fantastic. I love that he looks through an Encyclopedia until something sparks.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

It's a great idea! I especially love that he's been using the same one since he was a teenager.

[@Kishan_Baijnath]

@@BehindtheCurtain Is this an "If there's an Encyclopedia on the shelf in Act 1" type of situation?

[@BehindtheCurtain]

@@Kishan_Baijnath Ah, the classic Rich's Encyclopedia plot device.

[@RED-jg6mt]

yeah me too

[@Omar_Little]

I absolutely love his humour. Man Seeking Woman is amazing.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

I wasn't as familiar with his work before setting up the interview with Jake and have since discovered how funny he is. Love the absurd perspectives and concepts he explores.

[@frankunodostres473]

an idea develops rather quickly. then you have to pick which idea you like and wanna write about. usually when I come up with an idea that turns into a story I quickly find out it will start and how it will end. filling out everything in between is where the hard work starts

[@BehindtheCurtain]

There really should be more discussion about how to validate a good idea. What are the main questions about a concept/premise that I should have strong answers for to decide if it's something to move forward on. Might make a video on this.

[@frankunodostres473]

@@BehindtheCurtain it's a topic for virtually endless discussion because there is no guaranteed recipe for what exactly and how to do it. but I guess that's what makes it so interesting.

[@LaLogic2]

@@frankunodostres473 there may not be a recipe set in stone but i guess you could try

[@shine7228]

The Onion is pure gold.

[@skullyman409]

Very cool & informational. Simon Rich is indeed a great master to study from

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Yes indeed!

[@Yo-yo7000]

Love you so much ! Keep them coming!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@RED-jg6mt]

Research but not topical. Great advice

[@victorallencook7107]

Okay . Today I'm trying to get through the majority of the 2nd act of my screenplay .

[@go191nza2]

i had a really ugly and weird nightmare but now i think it's cool for a movie idea

[@LouisBurgessComedy]

This is fantastic video. I'm very close to subscribing

[@AnisQiz]

Hi, where can I find full interview?

[@jerrysstories711]

LOVE THIS!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks!

[@billbill4444]

Man Seeking Woman is hilarious, just as funny as Miracle Workers

[@daleynixon7444]

Where is the full interview?

[@victorallencook7107]

Work Smart .

[@dmytro-in-other-side]

Subtitles, please! You can even automatic!

[@thenew30303]

Yestestes!!! I love him

[@victorallencook7107]

Work Hard .

[@sociallyineptspider-man2366]

Moral of the story, don't have kids

[@victorallencook7107]

Fly....Fly.....Fly .......🌞✈🌛