Heidecker on the System Quality Humor of ‘The Comedy’ : “I have an interest in the idea of America as a budding eternal utopia It is interesting to speculate on an area the cusp of a particular culture might even consider themselves post-utopian static area where success and well-being manifest and the water has become some what warm. think human desire for utopia as something pretty ridiculous. maybe it the root of our problems and our disconnect with the natural world. difficult. “
As one can discern from the above quote about the themes behind her new film The Comedy, writer / director, Rick Alverson deep thinker, artistic force, and a self-described pessimist. Not exactly the kind of people you can expect to join forces with actor / comedian Tim Heidecker (of Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie Tim and Eric Awesome and Show, Great Job!). Turns out, that’s exactly why they made the perfect collaborator for the latest Alverson.
In the film, playing the Heidecker Swanson, a 30-something man from New York who resides in a houseboat, a living trust funds, and balances his day between goofing off with friends and harassment of people in its aggressive sense of humor. He is desensitized to the world, just feel any when he provokes the people around him, it’s his father hospice worker (“that you never have to deal with a prolapsed anus?”) Or customer group Harlem bar ( Let’s not even quote one). At first, it was hilarious: Heidecker the groove that made him an important voice for the counterculture comedy. But many tirades minutes Swanson, the laughs to the gasps of horror. No people stop when he gets going and it was awe-inspiring.
The script for The Comedy leave the door open to a lot of experimentation for Heidecker. As Alverson describes it, the 20-page document with “very specific scenes and particular moods and textures,” a series of scenes that allowed the actors at any given moment in unexpected directions and realistic . “It’s more improv with dialogue, but Rick is a pretty good head around what he wanted the film is ultimately about,” says Heidecker. “We do not go into the world with a camera. Presentation requirements but feel natural. The best way to do that is not writing a script!”
Do not tell him Alverson write a proper script (“He reminds me every day that he wrote the script without dialogue,” Heidecker joking). Alverson describes his writing process as recreational and loose, devising moment painting the less-than-perfect picture of the Comedy. “First, the idea is that an individual had tested the boundaries of social norms,” says Alverson. “The purpose of recreational engagements in the world in the service of a desire to affect the world or influenced the world. Tragic do not have to pass.” It is evident from speaking to Alverson he has some concerns with the modern world. “I hope the optimism is not my forte.”
The Alverson expressed his feelings Swanson with his actors, but stepped out of the way when the camera started rolling. “The movie that you see is very different if Tim is not the enemy,” says the director. “Tim said Tim graduated thing to say, but Tim told them in a way that only Tim could approach them and a particular kind of nuance that a particular kind of contradictory nature. His genius lies in its capacity to flirt with honesty and humor and humanity in a way that is anarchic and horrifying. “
The task performance in the film is asking is not easy for Heidecker, but surrounded by his friends and a careful director like Alverson helped him slip into non-standard way of working. Regular partner in crime Heidecker Gregg Turkington appears in a scene where Swanson enjoys a Bloody Mary over brunch, neighborhood riffing on nonsense that revelatory patience and simplicity. Heidecker said having Turkington, one of his real life friends, “work” done contrary to their usual comedy routine.
The comedy premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, where it was well received by some and detested by others. Often walkouts, and reaction is almost a testament to what Alverson set out to achieve. “I was very happy for us to perform uncertain, muddy space. Moral ambiguities.” Although visual Alverson film is designed to unnerve the audience. Directors ugly set up New York City – a metropolis that is often glamorized by the film – and the impact of that disturbing as the lead character. “There is an attempt to shy away from the characterization of New York City as … decayed urban environmental romanticized portrait exists in our imaginations So is one of the biggest practical concerns:. How to shoot all baggage Aesthetic . “
Thankfully, fans of Tim & Eric seems to have taken on new operations Heidecker. “I think, in general, our fans are a little more creative, artistic, and liberal-minded than your average population,” says actor. “They are open – they want something new and they want comedy as much as the new PT Anderson film the same group and they appreciate it for what it is ..” Heidecker had a successful career as a comedian, but still has ambitions for acting in other people’s films and challenge himself as a performer. He has inspirations comedy, but he also looks up to actors. “I’m just watching The Shining, and I keep going with Jack Nicholson as a man just so f ** king captivating to watch only one play itself from film to film but being so captivating to watch Funny, intense -. As classic example, but look at his old job. wonderful. “