The project grew out of Booksmart, another Gloria Sanchez production.
What made you both lean into this?
We were instantly taken with both of them.
‘Theater Camp’Sundance Film Festival
Wed heard they did this as a short film, and we were really taken with it.
We got to know Ben [Platt].
Will and I just wanted to help upcomers and give opportunities to people we think are super talented.
And this was just so fun, and funny.
WILL FERRELL: In our initial meetings with them, you could see the shared camaraderie they all had.
It was obvious theyve known each other for a while and love working together creatively.
We were like, God, these guys [Molly & Nick] should just be the directors.
DEADLINE: Will, could you relate to these theater camps?
Was there a version of this that correlated to your growth as an improvisational performer?
I did none of that.
I was more of a jock in high school.
I really didnt do any of, of the theater training until after I graduated from college.
So for me, this was a look behind the curtain in this world with…almost jealousy.
Wishing I had done more of that kind of growing up.
But they still come back to this sweet, nostalgic place, and they take it so seriously.
I think that comes through.
DEADLINE: There is also that inevitable moment where things are not happening, youre not getting parts.
Even though you love the world, when do you throw in the towel for a more traditional life?
And envy when someone struggling alongside you catches that career break.
FERRELL: The world of entertainment is a game of benches.
Its a very fragile thing and a lot of it is luck.
DEADLINE: What was that lucky moment for you?
FERRELL: It would be the process of getting on Saturday Night Live.
They were looking at people from all over the country.
Why was that even funny?
Whyd you even think it was funny?
DEADLINE: So Jessica, you find this as a short film.
What was the biggest challenge in getting in getting it financed and to the start line?
ELBAUM: Its always a challenge getting financing for these types of things, but we got lucky.
We were making another movie with Erik Feig of PictureStart.
We told him about Molly, Nick, Ben, Noah [Galvin] and this idea.
It was a very quick 19-day shoot.
And they wrote all the original music.
It is hard to write that stuff thats silly and kind of good at the same time specific.
They had an ear for the specificity of that world.
DEADLINE: You are coming off Spirited, the Apple musical adaptation of Dickens A Christmas Carol.
How reflective of Gloria Sanchezs path is Theater Camp?
How much of the companys purpose is finding acting vehicles for Will?
ELBAUM: Will is the priority.
We dont have a mandate.
DEADLINE: Spirited was a complicated effort.
How about you Will?
In some ways, ignorance is bliss and we all dove in with the idea well figure it out.
But wrangling those songs, the musical numbers, that was a feat.
Ive got to sing it live, too?
So, famous last words, if Ryan is in, I am too.
It would be exciting, and I would be peeing my pante all day, downstage.
