BritaNick (Pizza Movie)
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In this episode of The Writers Panel, Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher of the comedy duo Britannic discuss their journey from sketch comedy and TV writing to directing their first feature films, Pizza Movie and Over Your Dead Body. They reflect on the 20-year evolution of Pizza Movie, from a simple college dorm idea to a 90-minute psychedelic comedy, emphasizing how setting it in a college dorm and introducing a fictional drug unlocked the story's potential. They detail the creative freedom they received from Hulu and American High, the challenges of balancing absurdity with narrative structure, and their philosophy of 'show, don't tell' when handling exposition. The duo also shares insights on self-editing, the importance of tight pacing, and how their collaborative process—rooted in shared humor and a love for chaotic, fast-paced storytelling—defines their 'Britannic' voice. They express gratitude for their long journey and the validation of seeing their work on screen, while also acknowledging the emotional weight of creating something truly their own after decades of development hell. The episode concludes with reflections on current inspirations, including the reality show The Traitors, the film Project Hail Mary, and the chaotic comedy Hundreds of Beavers. The hosts also share a nostalgic moment recalling their early days at Slamdance, where their short film 'Eagles Are Turning People Into Horses' played before the premiere of Drones, a pivotal moment that affirmed their place in the comedy world. The conversation underscores the resilience required in creative careers, the value of persistence, and the joy of finally bringing long-held visions to life.
Set your creative parameters early—once you know the 'mountain' you're climbing, you can focus and avoid endless second-guessing.
Use absurdity and genre shifts as tools for storytelling, not just for laughs—Pizza Movie's drug-induced reality shifts serve both tone and narrative purpose.
Exposition should be fun and visual—flashbacks during drug trips in Pizza Movie reveal character backstory in a way that feels organic and entertaining.
Self-editing is a learned skill: cut ruthlessly, but leave room for on-set discoveries and improvisation to enhance comedy.
Creative control is priceless—Britannic secured full control on their first film, allowing them to maintain their chaotic, fast-paced voice.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Creative Struggle and the Drive to Make Something
Ben Blacker opens the episode with a candid reflection on the difficulty of writing and selling content in today's entertainment landscape. He shares his personal journey of balancing podcasting, newsletter writing, live events, and multiple film projects, emphasizing the need to 'just make stuff' to avoid creative stagnation. He promotes his upcoming live shows at the Elysian Theater, including the Dead Pilot Society and a one-person show directed by him, and encourages listeners to support his work through paid subscriptions.
Introducing Britannic: From Sketches to Feature Films
Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher introduce themselves as the comedy duo Britannic, detailing their history of creating YouTube sketches, writing for SNL and It's Always Sunny, and voicing characters for Cartoon Network. They discuss their transition into feature filmmaking, highlighting their two recent releases: Pizza Movie and Over Your Dead Body, both of which they wrote and directed.
The 20-Year Journey of Pizza Movie
“We had to figure out what the stakes were. That just sort of made the whole thing work and it's so obvious now but it just took us a while to get to that.”
Creative Control, Development, and the 'Britannic' Voice
“We just have to establish our insane voice. Like we've got to do that with our first movie and they let us do it.”
From Rejection to Realization: Lessons from 20 Years of Writing
“We've been in free fall and then we get a job. Like it's, it's, we've been very lucky, but that we haven't had options. And now that we've got like these two produced movies, there's a lot more meetings coming in and opportunities.”
“We just have to establish our insane voice. Like we've got to do that with our first movie and they let us do it.”
“I don't think you actually care. I think, like I would always ask them if they had a logic question or something like that. I'm like, okay cool, here's the explanation. Does it affect your enjoyment of the movie to not know that while you're watching it?”
“We had to figure out what the stakes were. That just sort of made the whole thing work and it's so obvious now but it just took us a while to get to that.”
Host
Guests
Pizza Movie
media
Nick Kocher
person
Brian McElhaney
person
Britannic
other
Over Your Dead Body
media
Ben Blacker
person
Hulu
organization
American High
organization
Elysian Theater
other
The Lonely Island
other
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