Jesse Armstrong met his longtime collaborator Sam Bain at university, and the pair later wrote for the British comedy sketch series I’ll hit the ponybefore you create a sitcom Peep Show and Old mancomedy drama Fresh meat and Babylon. They also co-written Chris Morris’ 2010 BAFTA award-winning feature Four Lions.
Armstrong collaborated with Armando Iannucci Thickness of it, Veep and features In the loop – He was nominated for the best adapted script Oscar, and with Charlie Brooker Black mirror.
Created by Armstrong in 2018 Inheritancea comedy drama that details the plot of a family that runs a huge media conglomerate. The show won 19 Primetime Emmys in four seasons, including Armstrong’s four consecutive awards for outstanding writing in the drama series.
Recently he wrote and directed the HBO Max feature. Mountain HeadStarring Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Corey Michael Smith and Ramie Youssef, the High Tech Brothers reunite in a remote chalet during the global financial crisis.
What does your office look like?
That’s good, but it’s functional. It’s about a 30 minute walk from where I live in South London. I keep it low technology. I don’t have Wi-Fi. It’s quite heaven.
What was your first job in the industry?
I was a political scholar for comedian Rory Bremner’s television comedy show. About a year later, Sambain and I wrote Peep Show.
Who do you respect in the industry? Why?
I often check in with my collaborator and friend Chris Morris. I admire him for his work, but I take a walk around the park with his advice.
Who helped you the most when you started?
Gareth Edwards – A decent person and kind person. He is still a television producer. He was one of the first people to invite Sam and me. When you’re a young writer, the first person who wants to pay you as a committee or option, scripts are important. I wish there were more people in an industry like Gareth.
What was your favorite movie?
plane!. Monty Python and the Holy Grail It was a formative experience. Neither of these feelings were aware of the shocking and unfamiliar things I didn’t know.
What do you like most about your job?
Without sounding too serious, we all have small ideas about the world, culture, politics. Having a way to express them to a larger audience doesn’t really fail to me.
Are you the most proud professional?
Peep Show and Inheritance. I’m proud of the collaborations I’ve had in my career.
What was the biggest professional mistake you made?
I feel in an inspiring Zen way you learn from everything. With me and Sam, there was a time when I was worried about money and if you started saying no, people would stop saying yes. Maybe I encouraged them to do a little more work when we were working on it. Peep Show.
What are your favorite festivals and events and why?
It was when Chris (Morris) took it to hold onto my heart as a golden event. Four Lions At Sundance in 2010. Mixing of snow and filmmaker availability. Michael Winterbottom was around and I admired all his work.
What are you excited about the future of business?
(Mountain Head Technology and AI dominates it. But when I think about the future, I fear many of my fellow professionals will make a living. There are many challenges with AI, but I think people younger than me will come up with engaging creative jobs.
What kind of books do you read?
I’m a little late to that, Plowing over the bones of the dead Olga Tokarczuk.
What TV series should everyone watch this year?
Suspect: Jean Charles de Menes fired. It is difficult to do such a critical but difficult work and do it with such integrity.
What do you do to relax?
(Long pause) The fact that it takes me a while to answer may not be a good indication. I like to cook and watch old movies. I also play a little sport, so the football pitch, which I consider how bad it is to be in football, certainly robbes me of professional concerns.
Who will play you in your life biopic, and who will direct it?
In my youth and young adulthood, some people saw the similarities between me and Prince Edward. I know he’s stepping on the board so maybe he wants to go back. And maybe they should give him a try, as Prince William is hitting me a little strangely with all the great British filmmakers who say he is the president of BAFTA.
(TagStoTRASSLATE) emmys
