A pitfall of making a comedy with a studio-and it’s also an American cultural thing-is that I get tired of being encouraged to go always for laughs.
Meaning of the quote
This quote suggests that when making a comedy movie with a big film studio, the studio often pressures the director to focus only on making the audience laugh, rather than allowing the director to create a more well-rounded story. The director, Alexander Payne, says this is a common issue in American culture, where there is a strong emphasis on getting laughs rather than exploring deeper themes or emotions. He finds this pressure tiring and limiting as a creative artist.
About Alexander Payne
Alexander Payne is an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his satirical depictions of contemporary American society. He has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, for co-writing the screenplays for Sideways and The Descendants. Payne has also been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for his work on several films, including Nebraska.
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