Hanging out with Canuck Anthony Farrell

The very nice and super awesome Anthony Farrell, one of the writers for the Office who we may or may not have stalked at Scranton, was extremely kind to answer a few questions for us. Anthony, a Canadian himself was the catalyst of the Canadian-American Office Alliance, and I'm giddy with excitement just posting this blog update-- because really, how cool is he? Cool as a Canadian apparently
;-)

When did you realize you wanted to become a writer?

I would love to tell you that it was when I was a kid, but I wanted to be an actor when I was a kid. I think it was in 2001. I started doing stand-up and sketch comedy and realized I had sort of a weird voice that should be heard. From around that point I started getting serious about it.

Where did you go to school and what did you study?

I went to Queen’s University in Canada. Started of with a major in Math and a minor in Theatre. Ended up with a major in Theatre and a minor in Math. After that, went to Humber Comedy School for a year. Learned sketch, stand-up, improve, schtick, clown. It was 8 months of madness. I loved it.

Before you wrote for “The Office”, were you a fan? If so, what was your favorite storyline and why? Who are/was your favorite characters?

I was definitely a fan. My fave storyline was probably JAM. The emotional charge of that story really hooked me into the show. Along with Jim and Pam, I loved Michael, of course, and Dwight.

How do you preserve your Canadian identity while living in L.A.?

I have a few Canadian friends that also live down here. We get together and watch hockey and say “eh” a lot. Other than that, I read Canadian papers and stuff. Looking for weird stories.

Do you think that Canadian humour is distinctive? What, to you, makes for good comedy?

Canadian humour is definitely distinctive. It’s hard to define it, but I think good examples are the Kids in the Hall, Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, and other new comedians like Ryan Belleville, Gilson Lubin, Nikki Payne. It’s quirky, it’s irreverent, it’s smart, it’s not ashamed.

How does one “audition” as a writer for the Office? What is the process that you experienced in auditioning for Greg Daniels?

Greg is a hard man to impress. He basically reads all your material before he even considers meeting you. Once you pass that test, he interviews you then brings in all the other writers to grill you. Then he makes you sweat it out for 3 to 4 weeks. It’s not pretty, but once it’s all said and done, you’re the happiest most grateful person in the world.

Is there anyone (famous or not) who has inspired you?

Not really. Okay, kidding. Tons of people have. Everyone from my parents, to Dave Chappelle, to Tom Hanks, to Lily Tomlin. I have a wide range of people I admire and aspire to learn from.

What are your favourite TV shows, movies or music? Is there any that have had a particular influence on you as a writer?

TV Shows, I’m into the Office, Extras, House and Chuck right now. Music wise, I’m liking Kanye, Common, Lupe Fiasco, and Feist. Movies, I don’t really watch since the baby was born. Every now and again I watch a DVD, but not as often as I’d like to.

Where do you get your ideas or find inspiration?

Everything I see and hear gets stuck in the back of my head. And while they’re back there they swirl around with each other and come back to me in the form of a story idea, or a joke, or just an interesting observation. So pretty much anything and everything inspires me.

What were your first days on set like as the “newbie”?

I was with the writers mostly for the first 2 months during pre-production. It was great. All the writers are soooooooo nice and cool. They were very welcoming and I felt like a part of the family immediately.

Any plans to film in Canada or include Canadian characters on “the Office”?

Not yet, but hopefully sometime. I think I’m wearing them down.

Are storylines set up at the beginning of the season? Can you give us any hints about the upcoming season?

Not everything is set up at the beginning of the season. It sort of moves and shifts as the season goes on and we see what works and what doesn’t. All I can tell you is that these last 7 episodes are going to blow your frickin’ mind!

What do you miss most about Canada? Would you want to return to Canada to write or act?

I miss my family. My mother, brother, sister, niece, nephew, cousins, etc. I’d love to come back to perform during hiatuses and breaks and stuff.

If you were asked to play a new character on the Office, what role would you see yourself in?

I’d see myself as just a random guy who works in another part of the office park.

Have you tried to slip any Canadian shout outs into the show as of yet?

No, but that’s a good idea. Maybe I can throw a Chretien or Trudeau moment in there somewhere. [Christina: ex-Prime Ministers of Canada]

What is your favorite “Office” line? (either one you wrote or someone else’s)

“Michael, are you wearing lady clothes.” Gotta love that Mike Schur.

What is your favourite “Office” scene?

There are so many. I’ll choose one from this season. Michael and Jan on the train after he tried to run away. I loved that whole scene.

Are Jim and Pam headed for rocky waters?

I cannot tell a lie. I also, cannot answer that question.

Tell us about a day-in-the-life of a writer for “the Office”.

Show up to work at 10am. Make funny jokes and such until lunch around 1. Check out some YouTube clips. Play a little ping pong or Rock Band. Realize we’re running behind, then get back to work. Depending on the night, we may stay late and get some dinner. But more often that not, we haven’t needed to this year.

If someone is interested in becoming a screenwriter, what advice can you give them?

Just do it. Take a class, buy a laptop, do whatever it takes to get you writing.

[Christina: We decided to ask him some silly questions with the instructions to be as creative as he wanted to... the result is as follows]

If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

This is another one of those questions that proves the self-righteousness of mankind. Just because no person is there to hear it, doesn’t mean a meerkat can’t be around. Or a slug. Or maybe some birds live in that same tree. I’m pretty sure they heard it fall. Their whole lives are in shambles. Their nest lying under a massive redwood and all we’re concerned about is, “was someone there to hear it?” Let it go, mankind. It made a sound.

If you had to take off a band aid, do you rip it off quickly or pull it off slowly?

I’m very hairy. So here’s the process. I soak the band-aid in water to soften it. Add a little baby oil or lotion to lube up the hair follicles, then slowly remove the band-aid. I find that takes more time, but it’s better for my mind set.

Degrassi Junior High or Degrassi: the Next Generation?

I didn’t watch either. But, I have a friend who is the Art Director for the Next Gen, so I’ll say that one.

Gene Stupinsky or Lee Eisenberg?

Justin Spitzer. Period.

Come on… give us some spoilers… ;-)

All I can say is… don’t miss one second of the finale.