Pep Talk from Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen, clad in a tuxedo featuring a rust-colored jacket, is rallying a group of actors preparing to enter a ballroom at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. This scene is part of Rogen’s Apple TV+ series, The Studio. Taking place in June 2024, the actors portray doctors stepping into a fundraising gala alongside Rogen’s character, Matt Remick, a studio executive. The scene is executed in one continuous shot, known as a “oner,” and Rogen emphasizes the importance of completing the initial takes to boost morale.
The Craft of the “Oner”
The challenging cinematic technique of the oner, famously used in classics like Orson Welles’s Touch of Evil, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, and Alejando G. Iñárritu’s Birdman, features prominently in The Studio. Notably, episode 2, titled “The Oner,” is entirely filmed in a single take lasting 25 minutes. This episode captures a chaotic visit to a film set where Matt encounters director Sarah Polley, playing a fictional version of herself, as she attempts to create her own oner.
Building Tension
As illustrated in the “Oner” episode, cinephiles greatly admire these intricate shots that demand meticulous preparation and flawless execution from everyone on set, including the camera operators, actors, and sound crew. The use of oners in this season enhances the tension that underlies the show’s main conflict: Matt’s deep love for filmmaking juxtaposed against his role in commercializing and sometimes compromising artistic integrity.
Rogen’s Perspective
Rogen shares that the oner technique injects a sense of stress and tension relevant to the show’s theme. He appreciates this approach as a refreshing change from his previous experiences in post-production, where issues would often be resolved later. Stopping by a monitor before they shoot, he expresses how critical the feeling of urgency is for the series.
Inspiring Encounters
Rogen’s genuine passion for filmmaking is mirrored in his character. When doubt about The Studio’s oners arose on social media, Rogen took to Threads to share behind-the-scenes videos, showcasing the authenticity of the project. He revealed the concept for The Studio emerged while working on Spielberg’s 2022 film The Fabelmans, though key ideas sprang from a candid meeting with a studio executive lamenting the disconnect between creating and ruining films.
Behind-the-Scenes Research
To inform their writing, Rogen, his creative partner Evan Goldberg, and their writing team— including Alex Gregory from Veep—gathered stories from various industry insiders about their oddest experiences in Hollywood. These anecdotes inspired the scripts for Matt and his colleagues, portrayed by actors such as Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara, and Bryan Cranston. The show also features a remarkable guest cast, including Martin Scorsese and Charlize Theron, with viewers enjoying the challenge of spotting real-life references in the fictional narrative.
Exploring Themes in Episode 6
In the June filming of episode 6, “The Pediatric Oncologist,” which landed on Apple TV+ on April 25, Matt attends a cancer charity gala with his new romantic interest, Sarah—a pediatric oncologist played by Rebecca Hall. While immersed in the film industry, Matt’s decisions surrounding movie projects feel monumental, yet when faced with the life-saving endeavors of Sarah and her peers, his insecurities surface. His confidence is challenged when doctors debate whether his franchise, MK Ultra, qualifies as art. Rogen portrays Matt passionately asserting, “All movies are art. Can’t really pick which movies are art” as the scene unfolds in the ballroom.
Filming Dynamics
Rogen notes that averaging around 16 takes has been necessary to get the oners right for the season. After wrapping a take, he calls “Cut!” and directs the cast back to their initial positions. The comedy’s ten episodes premiered on Apple TV+ on March 26, with new episodes released weekly until May 21.
