Tomorrow will mark the release of Episode 7 of the web series
It Could Be Worse, created by
Rock of Ages co-stars
Mitchell Jarvis and
Wesley Taylor, who also stars as Jacob Gordon. If you haven't caught it yet, catch up at
itcouldbeworse.tv or each Friday at Playbill.com. (My review of the beginning of the series is
HERE.) Recently, I got the chance to talk with both of these uber-talented guys about how the show came about, how they get such an amazing array of talent to participate in this dark comedy. Enjoy!
JKTS CHAT: MITCHELL JARVIS AND WESLEY TAYLOR
JEFF: How did this new web series, It Could
Be Worse, come about? Has it been mulling around your thoughts since your
time together in Rock of Ages? Is it based on anyone and/or personal
experiences?
- MITCH: It came about in an odd way... Wes
had been working on developing a pilot project about the Veronica Bailey
character (now played by Alison Fraser). His efforts to get funding for the
project were lagging for several months, so we decided to shoot a series of
sketches about awkward personal experiences. Our first effort would be the
"ladies room" sequence that can be seen in the first episode. We
decided that this wasn't really a sketch... we kept adding layers to this
character. Once we figured out that we could marry the ideas of this new
character (Jacob Gordon) and Wes' "Veronica"…”it could be worse"
began to find its way.
- WES: And the answer is yes, it's personal! I
think most writing, if it’s good, comes from some sort of personal experience.
And then it's your responsibility to expand the world of "what
happened" to something that honors your narrative and you obviously
embellish for comedy.
 |
It Could Be Worse co-creators
Mitchell Jarvis and Wesley Taylor |
JEFF: When creating the series, did you always envision
being in it as well as creating it? Logistically, what are the challenges
of doing both?
- WES: Hah! It's mostly a challenge when Mitch is
in the shot...because then I have to operate camera and I'm not good at the
technical elements that Mitch excels at.
- MITCH: And I’ll be damned if I can’t get
an acting gig in my own project. I love the idea of a communal experience when
creating this kind of work. I've always said that my dream is to make movies
with my friends. Part of that for me, is the experience of playing on both
sides of the camera.
 |
| "The Poop Scene" from Episode 1 |
JEFF: The series (so far, anyway) has a dark
comic edge to it. Does this match both of your personalities? How
do you decide when you've gone too far or should push it even more?
- MITCH: We are always trying to be true to our
story first and foremost. And Jacob Gordon's story is a dark one.
- WES: Our templates are shows like Louie, Girls, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep ...they excel at the unattractive, deprecating,
humiliation-based humor that we're interested in. If you're referring to the
poop scene in the pilot or Laura Benanti vomiting, trust me...there are plenty
of times where I wonder if we EARN that stuff. But although this is much less
of a cartoon than our last web series, Billy Green...we still get off on the
absurd.
JEFF: This is not the first Broadway-centered web
series - not even the first you've been involved with. What sets this one
apart from the others?
- WES: Well to be fair, the show is not really
about Broadway, as much as it’s an exploration of sex, relationships, success,
competition, rejection, and embarrassment. We're looking at a guy who is trying
to make a career in New York City as an actor which of course includes a Broadway
musical but... It's not really about the making of that Broadway musical (a la
Smash) and has a different tone than any other theater-centric web series we've
made/seen (Billy Green/Submissions Only, etc).
- MITCH: Because of our access to this
Broadway world, we are really able to flesh out the realism. We've always been
of the mind that you write what you know, and this project is no exception.
3 of the stars of the show: Alison Fraser, Gideon Glick, Adam Chanler-Berat
JEFF: Your first 5 episodes feature a huge number
of stage stars in everything from co-starring roles to featured parts, to
background players. Everyone looks like they are having a good time doing
it. How do you get these people - including several Tony Award winners
and nominees - to sign on? How did you select the actors to play the main
characters (Gideon Glick, Nancy Opel, Alison Fraser, etc.)??
- WES: For my money, collaboration is probably
the best reward. At the end of the day, we just wanna play with our
friends...We are very lucky. For some craaaazy reason, people trust us. And
give us their time for free.
- MITCH: First, we are thinking about getting
someone who is fun to be around, and easy to work with. We avoid egos at all
costs, and look for people who enjoy doing this sort of thing. Once they are in
place, we try to write around their strengths. We struck gold with this cast.
- WES: Holy shit, yes. I'm crazy about our
core group. Alison is fearless. She shocks both Mitch and I on a regular basis.
Adam is so honest and winning. I think I could watch him all day. And Gideon,
Gideon! He's a complete original and a total star. Nancy and Richard are
fucking hilarious. We scored with our cast.
- MITCH: Yeah and as far as cameos are concerned,
Wes is a bulldog when it comes to procuring what he calls "fancy
faces"... I let him do his thing, and try and stay out of the way. We work
very quickly, and I think the people who agree to work with us appreciate that.
JEFF: Who would you LOVE to have in your cast in
future episodes?
- MITCH: Alan Cumming, Tom Hanks!
- WES: Bahaha Ohhhh Mitch... I'd like to get
the whole Smash cast in there at some point. You've probably already clocked
Debra Messing as an "annoyed neighbor."
- JEFF: Yes! A small, but very funny appearance! And Will Chase, too!
JEFF: How do you select your locations? Is
this the kind of thing where you "call in a lot of favors"?
- MITCH: I try and stay out of Wes' way on that
one... He has a Midas touch...
- WES: Locations in midtown. Yeah...It's
exhausting. One day we'll have someone to help location scout, and production
manage...!
JEFF: Assuming that there isn't a lot of money to
be made on a project like this, what does performing and producing in this
genre satisfy for both of you?
- WES: We've had no Kickstarter campaign, no rich
uncles...everything has come out of Mitch and I's pocket. And it's a lot of
work yes, but a break from the silliness of our acting careers; a creative
excuse to play with all of our friends.
- MITCH: I love that there is no one looking over
our shoulder. I love that we can write as we go.
 |
| Gideon Glick and Wesley Taylor on location |
JEFF: How many episodes will this first season
have? Are you planning on a second season or is this a one-time thing?
- MITCH: I have always admired British television
for telling a complete story in a single season.
- WES: Me, too. Our story goes through 15
episodes. Once that's been done, we'll talk about whether we should continue,
depending on if it’s in demand or not.
JEFF: A lot of such web series depend upon the
kindness of strangers. If my readers wanted to contribute to make a
second season or a completely new series you have in mind possible, how can
they contribute?
- WES: The best contribution is spreading the
word and making the videos insanely popular.
- MITCH: Yeah, spreading the awareness of
the show. Tell your friends! We are working hard to find our audience.
REMEMBER: If you haven't caught it yet, catch up at itcouldbeworse.tv or each Friday at Playbill.com.
Jeff
4.191
Full disclosure: I am in no way personally involved in the production and/or fundraising efforts of the web series It Could Be Worse. I am, like so many of you, simply a fan. And series stars and co-creators Wesley Taylor and Mitchell Jarvis have been an integral part of helping to make this blog the success that it is. They've been generous with their time and support. And now I am returning the favor.
