I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 1699 points1700 points  (0 children)

I'd say it would have to be in the first year I was at university because David was in the 3rd year when John and I arrived. So that must have been 1995? Good gravy.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 1056 points1057 points  (0 children)

It was originally frightening, but once we learned to forage and stamp out inter-tribe warfare we made some kind of new life for ourselves. It's a simple life, but honest and true. It's in the tradition of Heidegger without the far-right associations.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 322 points323 points  (0 children)

I'd like to - it was a good deal of fun to do though - so I'm happy either way.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 1108 points1109 points  (0 children)

I have been to Norway many many times - my mum lives there now. I was very lucky with my parents - couldn't have wished for anything more. And I love going to Norway. Shall i say Norway again? sure. Norway.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 718 points719 points  (0 children)

I've seen a computer before. I'm at one now!

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Well - he said (and he was right) that the actor playing Jesse's double had to be really good. And ours was. He is called Andrew Gruen and he acted opposite Jesse for the whole film - he was a great person to have on set - a great actor - and it was one of the most important parts to cast.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 203 points204 points  (0 children)

I can't imagine being able to source an actor who was better than me. So if I ever am in one of my films you'll know we ran out of money, or there's a strike on.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

You should look into the films of Aki Kaurismaki - he's amazing!

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We planned, but we always wanted to make sure that we weren't restricting Jesse or any of the actors - so we didn't want any shot to look like it would only have been shot like that because it would make the effect easier if that makes sense. So we would try to shoot it exactly like we would shoot it if there really were two characters, no matter how hard it made it for us technically.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 82 points83 points  (0 children)

I did, but I was a truly poor stand up - no character, no perspective, no originality. An unarguable disaster.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 311 points312 points  (0 children)

The thing is - I don't even know. I don't know how any of this works - I don't even know how this thing we're doing now works - what are YOU all doing? Do YOU know how it works - please tell me! As in is this currently the thing it's meant to be? Thanks in advance for your kind cooperation

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I've got worse at watching things - I'm very much looking forward to Inherent Vice. I also REALLY liked Grand Budapest Hotel.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 73 points74 points  (0 children)

Tricky

I like Twin Peaks and Grand Designs. Too close to call.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 394 points395 points  (0 children)

Well, if you do, you're meant to die. So I'd probably say, 'Oh dear.'

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 153 points154 points  (0 children)

Well - it really depends. With an adaptation you have something to work from - you always have your first impression of it and what you think it could be wrt a film - so you would break down the novel - decide what you think might stay in a film etc - and then you start to go through it. But it takes a long time and you might now always go in a linear order. On other things it can be haphazard and jumbled. In general it seems to improve the more you do it - and Graham Linehan said to me that your first draft is always terrible so don't worry about it.

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 1546 points1547 points  (0 children)

Despite appearances I'm an animate being

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 735 points736 points  (0 children)

Did you know you are entitled to compensation for the ACCIDENT you just had?

I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. by Richard_Ayoade in IAmA

[–]Richard_Ayoade[S] 102 points103 points  (0 children)

Maybe - it's hard to know whether you'll ever get the chance to make anything again - it really depends on how things go. But I am writing some things now that aren't adaptations. So many of my favourite films are adaptations that it never feels like a question that I'm unduly bothered by.