Seth Rogen Reveals Inspiration Behind “The Studio”
Seth Rogen is shedding light on the real-life influences that shaped the narrative of his new series, The Studio, highlighting a significant moment involving Steve Asbell and the Golden Globes.
Insights from “The Late Show”
During a recent visit to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Rogen, who is not only a co-creator but also the director of the show, discussed his character, Matt Remick, and the show’s premise. “In the series, I portray a Hollywood studio head navigating today’s film industry challenges,” he stated. The storyline revolves around the ongoing battle between artistic integrity and commercial demands. Rogen portrays a character deeply passionate about filmmaking, yet often forced to make compromises that conflict with his love for the art.
The Balance of Art and Commerce
Rogen elaborated on the character’s dilemma, saying, “He adores both directors and actors, but his role often leads to disappointing them with suggestions they would rather not hear. There’s an inherent tension in the entertainment industry between creative aspirations and business realities — and we aim to explore that in our narrative.”
Real-Life Encounters in Hollywood
Colbert seized the opportunity to connect Rogen’s character’s sentiments to a real-life experience, inquiring if an industry executive had indeed confided similarly to him. Rogen replied affirmatively, recounting a pivotal meeting from his early career. “In our attempt to create a more edgy, R-rated film, an executive bluntly stated, ‘I entered this field because of my love for films, but now it feels like my responsibility to ruin them,'” Rogen recalled. He later identified this executive as Steve Asbell, who currently presides over 20th Century Studios. “He’s a wonderful person, yet struggles with the contradictions of his role,” Rogen remarked, chuckling.
Reactions from Industry Peers
Colbert further probed whether any industry professionals felt aligned with the themes portrayed in The Studio, prompting Rogen to share his recent experiences. “I’ve received three calls in just the past week from people reacting to the show—some were amused, while others weren’t quite as pleased,” he divulged, revealing the mixed reactions from his peers.
A Golden Globes Incident Inspires an Episode
Rogen also reflected on a past experience at a Golden Globes afterparty that inspired a specific episode in the series. “There’s an episode that centers on my character’s desire to be acknowledged in a Golden Globe acceptance speech—a crucial moment for Hollywood executives. Years back, after one of our films won an award, we noticed an executive in tears. Initially, we thought it was out of joy, only to hear them lament that they weren’t mentioned during the speech,” he recounted. “This incident sparked the creation of an entire episode, and that executive knows it is about them—they made it very clear to me recently.”
Misunderstandings and Misrepresentations
Interestingly, Rogen indicated that some individuals have mistaken themselves for characters in the series. “Individuals often see a resemblance to their own experiences in these characters, which isn’t always accurate. Conversely, I received a phone call from a studio executive who was moved to tears by what they perceived as a reflection of their own story. I had to gently clarify that it wasn’t based on him at all,” Rogen explained.
The Studio, featuring a cast brimming with talent and surprise cameos, releases new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+, with its initial two episodes now available for streaming.
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