Penny Marshall on Sitcom Actors Becoming Directors

Interviewer: So what do you learn on a TV sitcom that makes you all such good directors? Penny: I don’t know, work fast? Work under pressure. And also sometimes the Networks and Studios in order to get you to do another season say you could direct an episode too so they lure you into doing a job you didn’t ask to do so you get a little experience of directing your own show and even though it’s a totally different format using all three camera’s with an audience and done in a sequence like a play but at least you got some experience so I think that’s why. Interviewer: So you directed a few episodes? Penny: Ya four episodes. Interviewer: It seems that everyone in Hollywood wants to direct. Penny: I don’t know. I never said it I don’t think. They always ask me would I do this? So I’ve just been very lucky that way. I did not have to beat down doors and I didn’t have to say choose me, choose me. They sort of came to me. So I’m a unique situation there. I don’t usually ask to do anything. I have to be dragged kicking and screaming to do anything.
Interviewer: So what do you learn on a TV sitcom that makes you all such good directors? Penny: I don’t know, work fast? Work under pressure. And also sometimes the Networks and Studios in order to get you to do another season say you could direct an episode too so they lure you into doing a job you didn’t ask to do so you get a little experience of directing your own show and even though it’s a totally different format using all three camera’s with an audience and done in a sequence like a play but at least you got some experience so I think that’s why. Interviewer: So you directed a few episodes? Penny: Ya four episodes. Interviewer: It seems that everyone in Hollywood wants to direct. Penny: I don’t know. I never said it I don’t think. They always ask me would I do this? So I’ve just been very lucky that way. I did not have to beat down doors and I didn’t have to say choose me, choose me. They sort of came to me. So I’m a unique situation there. I don’t usually ask to do anything. I have to be dragged kicking and screaming to do anything.
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DETAILS

Editorial #:
1223084113
Collection:
Archive Films: Editorial
Date created:
May 28, 1988
Upload date:
License type:
Rights-ready
Release info:
Not released. More information
Clip length:
00:01:10:04
Location:
United States
Mastered to:
QuickTime 10-bit ProRes 422 (HQ) HD 1920x1080 29.97i
Originally shot on:
Betacam SP NTSC 486 29.97i
Source:
Archive Films Editorial
Object name:
b08614_06.mov