Any Asshole
Breaking into the commercial arena
Directed by Jay Larson
Directed by Jay Larson, Any Asshole humorously navigates the rocky terrain of breaking into commercial directing, deftly addressing the stereotypes and challenges of the industry. A chance encounter with Johnny Knoxville at Supply&Demand propels Jay to a bar where he meets an older version of himself, who delivers the poignant reminder that “Any Asshole can direct a commercial.” Boasting a star-studded cast including Neal Brennan, Joel McHale, Kumail Nanjiani, Blake Griffin, Helen Hong, Hannibal Buress, Sarah Tiana, and Johnny Knoxville, this film is a laugh-out-loud exploration of perseverance and self-belief in the commercial directing arena.
Any Asshole humorously delves into the challenges and stereotypes of breaking into commercial directing. Can you share with us any personal experiences or observations that inspired these themes and jokes, and how you balance satire with genuine insight into the industry?
Well, I tried many different times to break into advertising on the writing front. I've written stand up, TV, movies, Video Games, etc. But in advertising it felt like you needed to be on the inside to get that work. As I shifted into directing I explored commercials again but as a director and people would ask if I had made any commercials. I had dozens of short films and sketches but they wanted to see commercials. So I thought I would shoot one of the commercials I wrote and people immediately told me that was a bad look, like you didn't have work and were desperate. So I said, "F it! How about this?" And Tim Case at "Supply and Demand" said, "I'm in!"
In Any Asshole, you work with a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Neal Brennan, Joel McHale, Kumail Nanjiani, Blake Griffin, Helen Hong, Hannibal Buress, Sarah Tiana and Johnny Knoxville. How did you decide on such a cast? Can you share with us what it was like collaborating with such broad ranging talent and how their involvement shaped the film’s narrative?
Well I wanted to make a splash. I wanted the film to get attention. All of these actors are proven but I felt like I could excell at finding the perfect role for each of them. Seeing Kumail as a bit of a bully and Blake as a sensitive character isn't something people have seen? I think those two enjoyed playing characters they don't normally play. Being a director means knowing how to push each actor differently. My work with everyone on set is collaborative from actors to my DP, knowing who you can push and how to push is what gets the best performance.
Can you elaborate on your collaboration with Supply & Demand Production for the film? How did you navigate the process of pitching a project that also essentially serves as a commercial for the production company itself?
As a comedian, writer and director for 23 years I have had plenty of people tell me how much they'd love to work with me. But "Supply and Demand" stepped up and said, Let's do this! It took a while. It started with them sending me reels of the best commercial directors in the world, meeting up and discussing different spots and why they worked and what it was that worked. Tim Case saw I had a passion for this and guided me along till after about a year and a half he said, "Let's make something." One of the films I had watched was "Truth in Advertising" which inspired me to make something entertaining but that would catch people in advertising attention.
“My work with everyone on set is collaborative from actors to my DP, knowing who you can push and how to push is what gets the best performance.”
You end the film with this newfound confidence in commercial directing, inspired by your encounter with your older self. Can you elaborate on the significance of this ending?
The older version of myself says, "You never knew how to do anything before you did it." And that's true for me. I didn't go to stand up school, I didn't go to directing school, I'm a show up guy. I've figured a lot of life out by showing up and learning. And when you create in that way it comes from a deep belief in yourself which also comes with a large amount of fear. Not every person who wants to create, write, direct had the resources at a young age or a person telling them they can do something. Sometimes you need to generate the confidence on your own. That ending is for every person that was like me.
Looking back on directing Any Asshole, what were some of the most memorable moments you had whilst filming - as we are sure there were many - while bringing this comedic masterpiece to life?
I love collaborating and seeing things come to life. Before filming they were words on paper. So that always and forever. But I'd say, Knoxville walking on set, grabbing the script, reading it twice and hitting every beat and blocking in one take. The nuance Sarah Tiana brought to her character. Supply and Demand believing in me. Neal Brennan's eye roll. Sitting across from Kumail and Blake and thinking, "I want to write a buddy cop movie for these two." Joel McHale hanging out after shooting and just telling stories to the entire crew about Community at lunch. Hannibal Burress showing up on set to film picks ups with Kumail and then sitting in for a scene. Those are a few.
Written & Directed by Jay Larson
Produced by Tim Case
A Supply & Demand Production
Executive Producer – Charleen Manca
Executive Producer - Matt Zion-Basile
Line Producer - Aaron Weber
Starring:
Neal Brennan
Joel McHale
Kumail Nanjiani
Blake Griffin
Hannibal Buress
Sarah Tiana
Johnny Knoxville
Helen Hong
Jay Larson
Presenting:
Marilee Frazier
Michael Wolfe
Charles Jones
Carl DeGregorio
Director of Photography - Andrew Huebscher
1st AD - Tony Slakey
Associate Producer - Connor Renusch
Production Supervisor - Brooke Elliot
Production Assistant - Hannah Cordy
Production Assistant - William Sheldon
Set Dresser - Evelyn Jimenez
Art Department Shopper - Daniel Oregel
Art Department Production Assistant – Jose Lopez
Camera Utility - Kathryn D. Santore
Camera Production Assistant – Wade Ferrari
Gaffer - David Sheetz
Key Grip – Ant Boyd
Grip - Robert Libbee
Grip - Tyler O’Reilly
Best Boy – Mark Armenta
Sound Mixers - Taylor Tosh & Kamal Humphrey
Wardrobe Stylist - Emily Chandler
Make-Up - Amanda Bourne
Make-Up - Prell Charusanti
Hair Stylist - Morgan Ferrando
VFX Hair & Make-Up – Cale Thomas
Stunt Coordinator - Ray Lykins
Stuntman - Tyler Peterbaugh
Editorial: Union LA
Post-Production Executive Producer - Michael Raimondi
Post Producers - Logan Aries and Dani DuHadway
Editor - Jason Lucas
Music by Daniel Raijman
Color: Royal Muster
Colorist – Gregory Reese
Executive Producer – Thatcher Peterson
Titles: Office of Development and Design