Will Ferrell at the WGA
July 15th, 2008 by Alec McNayrPosted in Comedy, Uncategorized |
The Groundlings hosted a Q&A with Will Ferrell last night. I had third-row tickets at the WGA Theater in Beverly Hills. About 200 people in attendance (including both Will’s dad and mom: Will’s dad was in the first row… his mom the 15th).
My Groundlings improv teacher Roy Jenkins (and star of of our ABC “pilot-ish” Assemblymen’s show-within-a-show) interviewed Will. Some observations:
- Will Ferrell answered half the questions seriously and half in an endless array of improvisational tangents. 100% hilarious.
- Will is very heartfelt, and was truly engaging and unpretentious.
- He talked about how nobody believed in Anchorman, even as he was making it.
- He worked at an auction house for three months… after being cast on SNL (but before officially starting work).
- My wife says to me, upon leaving, “Can we be friends with him when we’re rich and famous?” I answered yes.
- Roy Jenkins is just as funny as Will (and perhaps quicker on his feet!), but is not as famous or rich. What gives? Life and entertainment is not fair.
I don’t know what to make of that last one, except to continue to work hard and be honest in my work as a writer, producer, and entertainer. I may never be Will Ferrell, but with enough time, I can be more Alec McNayr…
