Seth Rogen discusses The Studio, Hollywood and being meta at SXSW 2025.

Summary

In this interview, the conversation delves into the creative dynamics of Hollywood, particularly the intersection of art and commerce. The speaker reflects on how the 'Larry Sanders Show' served as a major inspiration, drawing attention to the challenges and complexities of the entertainment industry. They discuss their journey, beginning with working for Judd Apatow, and explore how the conflict between artistic integrity and business pressures has shaped their work. The conversation also touches on the absurdities of the film industry, including the outdated practices at events like CineCon, highlighting the strange yet enduring nature of Hollywood's inner workings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gary Shandling's work, especially 'The Larry Sanders Show', served as a major inspiration for the speakers in the script.
• 😀 The speakers' experience in Hollywood includes working with figures like Jud, Pete, and Alex, who were key contributors to 'The Larry Sanders Show'.
• 😀 'The Larry Sanders Show' is regarded by the speakers as the gold standard for shows in their genre, representing the pinnacle of excellence in their field.
• 😀 The speakers reflect on their journey, acknowledging that they may look back on their current work and realize it might never be as good again.
• 😀 A key theme of their work has been the ongoing conflict between art and commerce in Hollywood, a tension that has shaped their creative journey.
• 😀 The creators wanted to deliver a show that explores the dynamic between art and commerce, a concept that they find deeply fascinating and relevant to their experiences.
• 😀 The speakers express their long-standing frustration with and contemplation of the challenges of balancing creative freedom and business constraints.
• 😀 The business side of cinema still surprises the speakers, particularly in the way that movie theater owners are involved in the movie selection process, which feels outdated to them.
• 😀 Despite being involved in the industry, the speakers are still surprised by how certain aspects of the business work, such as convincing theater owners to screen movies.
• 😀 The speakers mention that their latest two episodes of their show are set at CinemaCon, indicating that their content is influenced by real-world industry events.

Q & A

What is the primary inspiration behind the creation of the show mentioned in the transcript?

The primary inspiration for the show was 'The Larry Sanders Show,' which was a major influence on the creators. It was regarded as the gold standard in the industry, especially in the realm of comedy and talk shows.

How did the interviewee's career connect to 'The Larry Sanders Show'?

The interviewee worked with Judd Apatow, who was very close friends with Gary Shandling, the creator of 'The Larry Sanders Show.' Apatow's connections and his involvement with the show’s writers had a significant impact on the interviewee's career.

What is the relationship between art and commerce in Hollywood according to the interviewee?

The conflict between art and commerce has been a recurring theme in the interviewee's career. They discuss how they have both resisted and conformed to this dynamic, making it a central issue in their creative work.

What is the significance of the term 'meta' in the context of the show?

The interviewee expresses that the word 'meta' is often misused today, but in their context, it refers to exploring the complexities of the relationship between art and business in Hollywood, a key theme in the show.

How does the interviewee feel about the unpredictability of their career?

The interviewee reflects on the uncertainty of their career, joking that they may look back at this interview one day and realize that their peak might have already passed. However, they acknowledge that time will tell.

What does the interviewee say about the experience of attending CineCon?

The interviewee describes CineCon as an industry event where the traditional process of convincing theater owners to screen films still exists, which can seem antiquated but is still how things work in the industry.

What aspect of Hollywood does the interviewee find the most baffling?

The interviewee is surprised by how the business side of Hollywood still operates in a seemingly outdated manner, especially when it comes to the process of dealing with theater owners and getting movies into theaters.

How does the interviewee view their place in the entertainment industry today?

The interviewee considers themselves still on a journey, unsure of whether they have plateaued. They acknowledge the unpredictability of their career and express uncertainty about what the future holds.

What role does the 'art vs. commerce' theme play in the interviewee’s creative process?

The 'art vs. commerce' theme is central to the interviewee's work. They have long grappled with this dynamic, balancing the desire to create meaningful art with the pressures and compromises of the commercial side of Hollywood.

What aspect of Hollywood does the interviewee find the most frustrating?

The interviewee finds the relationship between art and commerce to be both frustrating and fascinating. It is a tension that has defined their career, and they often reflect on the difficulties of navigating this divide.