In Love with Weed w/ Jake Johnson | 2 Bears, 1 Cave
Dive into a behind-the-scenes chat with the collaborative minds behind "2 Bears, 1 Cave," as Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer are joined by multi-talented actor and filmmaker Jake Johnson in their latest episode. Exploring the creative process of Johnson's new indie hit "Self Reliance," now streaming on Hulu, the trio discusses the film's intensive 17-day shoot, a festive premiere at the actual bar featured in the film, and the significant role of actress Anna Kendrick in securing the film's production—a fascinating insight into the hustle of indie filmmaking.
As the narrative unfolds, Kreischer examines the broader transformative trends in the entertainment industry, citing figures like Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan who are eschewing traditional mediums in favor of creating their own media platforms. The episode also reveals the entrepreneurial spirit of the podcast hosts themselves, as Kreischer and Segura share their decision to decline a conventional television offer in favor of nurturing their podcast—ultimately a celebration of artistic freedom and the rising power of new media.personalkeypoints.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 22, 2024 episode of the 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer
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1-Page Summary
Jake Johnson's movie "Self Reliance"
"Self Reliance," an indie film by Jake Johnson, has made its debut on Hulu. Impressively, Johnson wears multiple hats in this project as the writer, director, producer, and star of the film. The movie's central plot revolves around a character dealing with a life crisis while reaching out to old friends. Despite a brief shooting schedule of just 17 days, Johnson has performed reshoots and reworkings, especially to reframe the third act, which was initially set to have a dark tone.
Johnson made an unconventional choice for the film's premiere by hosting a party at the bar featured in the movie, complete with a mariachi band, to bring the setting to life. Anna Kendrick, a key player in the project, secured the film's production with her commitment, highlighting her influence on the film's successful launch.
Bert Kreischer's insights on the changing entertainment landscape
The shift in the entertainment industry towards empowering creators is evident, as noted by comedian Bert Kreischer. He spotlights figures like Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan who have bypassed the traditional media model to build their own media empires. Kreischer relates to the newfound control and direct engagement that creators now have, which echoes Jake Johnson's approach with "Self Reliance."
How Kreischer and comedian Tom Segura built their hit podcast and turned down a Travel Channel show
Through their joint podcast, Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura have garnered success that measures up to mainstream television offers, notably turning down a Travel Channel show. They attribute their podcast's prosperity to the autonomy and ownership it grants them over their product, a testament to the abilities of new media to stand toe-to-toe with long-established entertainment platforms.
Personal backgrounds and life experiences that shape their comedy
The personal stories of Jake Johnson and Bert Kreischer have significantly influenced their works in comedy. Johnson's reconnection with his father after a 15-year absence has left a mark on his narrative style, and Kreischer's memorable adventures from his college years fuel his comedy routines. By sharing authentic life experiences, they both challenge Hollywood's traditional gatekeeping, proving that the real arbiters of success are the audiences rather than industry insiders.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Jake Johnson's movie "Self Reliance" is an indie film where Johnson takes on multiple roles as the writer, director, producer, and star. The plot centers on a character facing a life crisis and reconnecting with old friends. Johnson made adjustments during reshoots to refine the film's third act, moving away from its original dark tone. The movie premiered uniquely with a party at a bar featured in the film, adding a special touch to the event.
- Jake Johnson's choice to host the premiere party at the bar featured in the movie was a creative way to immerse the audience in the film's setting and atmosphere. It added a unique touch to the event by connecting the real-world location with the on-screen narrative. This decision provided a memorable and interactive experience for attendees, enhancing their connection to the film. The choice of venue for the premiere party helped to bring the movie to life in a tangible and engaging way.
- Anna Kendrick played a key role in securing the production of "Self Reliance" by committing to the project. Her involvement helped ensure the successful launch of the film. Kendrick's influence in the project highlights her importance in bringing the movie to fruition.
- Empowering creators in the entertainment industry involves giving them more control and ownership over their work, allowing them to bypass traditional media channels and connect directly with their audience. This shift enables creators to build their own platforms and media empires, leading to greater autonomy and creative freedom. It signifies a departure from the traditional gatekeeping structures of the industry, emphasizing the growing influence and opportunities available to content creators in the digital age. This trend highlights the increasing importance of direct engagement between creators and their audience, reshaping the dynamics of the entertainment landscape.
- The personal backgrounds and life experiences of comedians often shape their comedy styles. For example, personal stories, memories, and significant life events can influence the content and tone of their humor. Comedians draw inspiration from their own lives to create relatable and authentic material for their performances. By infusing their comedy with personal elements, comedians can connect with audiences on a deeper level and offer a unique perspective on various topics.
Counterarguments
- While Jake Johnson's involvement in multiple aspects of "Self Reliance" is impressive, it could be argued that wearing too many hats might compromise the quality of the work due to divided attention and potential lack of specialized skills in each area.
- The decision to reshoot and rework parts of the film, especially the third act, might suggest initial issues with the narrative or pacing that could affect the overall cohesion and impact of the story.
- Hosting the film's premiere at a bar with a mariachi band, though creative, may not appeal to all audiences and could be seen as a marketing gimmick rather than a meaningful enhancement of the film's reception.
- Anna Kendrick's involvement being crucial for the production launch might indicate an over-reliance on star power to secure funding and attention, which could overshadow the merit of the film itself.
- Bert Kreischer's celebration of the empowerment of creators in the entertainment industry overlooks the challenges and barriers that still exist for many creators, particularly those without an established platform or following.
- Citing Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan as successful examples of creators bypassing traditional media may not acknowledge the full spectrum of experiences among creators, as not all have the same reach or resources to build independent media empires.
- Kreischer and Segura's decision to turn down a Travel Channel show in favor of their podcast assumes that new media ventures always offer more autonomy and ownership, which may not be the case for all creators, especially those negotiating with powerful platforms.
- The success of Kreischer and Segura's podcast being attributed to autonomy and ownership might not fully account for other factors such as market saturation, audience preferences, and the role of marketing and promotion in achieving success.
- The influence of personal backgrounds and life experiences on Johnson and Kreischer's comedy, while authentic, may not always translate into universal appeal or relatability for all audience members.
- The idea that audiences are the real arbiters of success challenges traditional gatekeeping but does not consider the influence of marketing, industry connections, and platform algorithms that can significantly affect visibility and accessibility of content.
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Jake Johnson's movie "Self Reliance"
Jake Johnson's venture into indie filmmaking, "Self Reliance", captures attention as it debuts on Hulu and reflects changing paradigms in the entertainment industry.
Sold to Hulu and premiering at South By Southwest Film Festival, "Self Reliance" is a result of Johnson's multi-faceted contribution as a writer, director, producer, and star. The movie, which centers around a man going through a crisis and reconnecting with old friends, was shot rapidly in just 17 days. However, Johnson did reshoots and edits to complete the film to his satisfaction, ultimately adding levity to a third act that he initially intended to be very dark.
Anna Kendrick played a vital role in the film's inception, with her commitment being pivotal for its green lighting. Her star appeal made a significant difference in the movie's trajectory. Rather than opting for a traditional industry premiere, Johnson chose to host a party at the bar where the movie takes place, providing a real experience with a mariachi band.
Bert Kreischer's insights on the changing entertainment landscape
The entertainment landscape is shifting, with individual creators gaining more control over their content. Bert Kreischer acknowledges this change, citing examples of Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan who built their own platforms outside the traditional system. He reflects on the new model where creators have more control and can directly appeal to their audience without bending to a network's creative influence. Kreischer, influenced by this realization, identifies with Jake Johnson's passion and self-reliance in creating his film.
How Kreischer and comedian Tom Segura built their hit podcast and turned down a Travel Channel show
Kreischer and his podcasting partner Tom Segura experienced significant success with their podcast, drawing comparable advertising revenue to what Travel Channel offered for a TV show. Kreischer points out the creative freedom and ownership they enjoyed by independently m ...
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Jake Johnson's movie "Self Reliance"
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Anna Kendrick's role in the film's green lighting was significant because her star appeal helped attract attention and secure funding for the project. Her involvement added credibility to the film and increased its chances of success in the competitive entertainment industry. Kendrick's commitment to the project played a crucial role in convincing stakeholders to move forward with production. Her presence may have also influenced the decision-makers to support the film's development and eventual release.
- Bert Kreischer highlights the shift in the entertainment industry where individual creators have more control over their content, citing examples like Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan. These creators have successfully built their own platforms outside traditional networks, allowing them to connect directly with their audience and maintain creative independence. This trend signifies a departure from the traditional model where networks held significant influence over content creation and distribution. Kreischer's acknowledgment of t ...
Counterarguments
- While Jake Johnson's "Self Reliance" may reflect changing paradigms, it's important to note that traditional film distribution channels and big studio productions still dominate the industry and have a significant impact on what content gets widespread visibility.
- Johnson's multi-faceted role in "Self Reliance" is commendable, but it could also be argued that collaboration with other writers, directors, and producers can enhance a film's quality and bring in diverse perspectives that might be lacking in a single-person project.
- The decision to host a premiere at the bar where the movie takes place is unique, but traditional premieres can offer greater media exposure and opportunities for networking within the industry.
- While individual creators like Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan have found success outside traditional systems, this path is not universally viable, and many creators still rely on traditional media platforms to reach larger audiences and secure funding.
- Kreischer and Segura's success with their podcast is notable, but the stability and resources provided by network deals can sometimes offer benefits that independent creators might struggle to match on their own.
- Personal backgrounds and life experiences are crucial to comedy, but it's also important to recognize the role of craft, timing, and audience engagement in ...
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