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Interview: Observe and Report Writer and Director Jody Hill

by Alex Billington
April 7, 2009

Hitting theaters this weekend is an outrageous comedy called Observe and Report. You may know that it stars Seth Rogen and Anna Faris, but you may not know who is behind all the madness. Jody Hill is a filmmaker who came out of nowhere (specifically, North Carolina) in 2006 with a comedy called The Foot Fist Way that didn't actually end up in theaters until last summer. It made Danny McBride a star and broke Jody into the business, and now he's delivered his follow-up, a hilarious story about a mall cop who takes his job much more seriously than he should. Read on for my interview with the man behind the madness.

Watch the interview with Observe and Report writer/director Jody Hill:

Please be patient while loading the video - the file size is huge! Thank you!

This video was shot using my Flip Mino camera. As you can certainly tell, I had a blast with this interview, and was very glad I had the chance to talk with Jody. As with almost every interview I do, when I walked out of Observe and Report, I instantly knew I wanted to talk to Jody Hill, not only to find out how they pulled off so much, but to get the true story behind it all. I really hope this has convinced everyone to see Observe and Report, because it's truly worth your time, even if only just for the ending, which I'm certain you won't see coming. Jody is a very talented up-and-coming filmmaker and I can't wait to see what he does next!

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crumb

Not getting any sound...
crumb

Nevermind! my fault...
Jmoney

"This video was shot using my Flip Mino camera" and for only $9.95 you too can own your own Flip Mino camera!!! WTF is with the plug?
Al

he was once skinny as hell. the man really let himself go huh.
Tim "Cloverfield"

If it did not star the dreadful and un-funny Seth Rogen....yet again, EVERY review I see says this is the worst piece of shit ever and don't waste your money or your time.....Well, Seth Rogen is in it....I guess I rest my case.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Uh, reviews on THIS you've read? Are you kidding? I LOVED it, and everyone I've talked to has said the same thing... It is not a movie that critics will like, but it's absolutely hilarious, and totally worth your time and money!
b

Thanks for posting this thing in its entirety Alex. I'm an aspiring writer and have been wanting to know more about this guy. I know a lot of people don't dig these long interviews but it makes a difference to a few.
kindbuddy

Uh Tim... "EVERY" must mean like a few lol... I've read good reviews for this movie...mostly mixed and a few bad. Even the bad ones found something good about it. They still say there are laughs. I don't think you have an open sense of humor. Speaking of Seth Rogen I guess you arrested your case w/ his other movies which have good reviews as opposed to negative ones. You really don't know what you're talking about. If you don't like Seth Rogen then that's fine but he is funny to the general public. He's just not funny to you.
jesse

Hey, North Carolina is awesome! It isn't nowhere.
Johnbo

I agree with Jesse. It's the third largest state for film production in the United States. NCSA (where Jody is an alumni) is on of the top undergraduate film schools in the southeast. Not tat you were trying to be nasty or anything but people should get used to NC being a hub for film making in the future.
Tim "CLoverfield"

No kindbuddy,....I am an ADULT;. And the general public must be 12 years old.
Chippy

Saw it today on a discount. Terrible, terrible movie. Have to agree with number 5.
http://cribbster.wordpress.com Cribbster

Have to disagree with No. 12 and No. 5. Jody Hill is a pretty important filmmaker. He has an intensely unique take on movie comedy, and "Observe and Report" is -- and will likely be seen -- as a sort of landmark film. It really is a pretty exceptional movie. I think a lot of the backlash comes from people who went into watching it with a good number of wrong expectations. Anyone who's watched "The Foot Fist Way" or "Eastbound & Down" on HBO would know that's pretty unhelpful. Hill essentially turns tragedy into comedy, and, yes, "Observe and Report" takes it to the Nth degree, but that's precisely what it is. He's the guy who looks at "There Will Be Blood" and says, "Hey, this could be really funny." And he pulls that it off. That's why he's good. And so is "Observe and Report."
Frank

I love Seth Rogen (as an actor). I think he has the potential to be another John Belushi. That said, the previews for "observe and report" look pretty dumb, so I may wait for the DVD and cross my fingers as well.