Introduction & Canadian Traditions

• Panel featuring Glenn Howerton (Jim Balsillie), Jay Baruchel (Mike Lazaridis), Matt Johnson (director/co-writer/co-star)
• Discussion of Glenn's introduction to Canadian culture during filming
  • Glenn very regimented about diet/health, didn't try poutine
  • Went to Chef Susur Lee's restaurant on King Street (fusion food)
  • Had all-dressed chips on camera and Tim Hortons donut
  • Glenn reported feeling better after eating Tim Hortons

Film Development & Approach

• Matt sought broader appeal film after making very small comedies with friends
• No initial interest in technology/Blackberry specifically
• Wanted to make accessible film in his style that general audience would see
• Film subverts tech biopic expectations - psychological exploration of three crazy people
• Described as thriller with comedy, moves at intense clip
• 140-page script (vs typical 100 pages) with no fat, exciting to read

Glenn's Physical Transformation

• Shaved middle of head daily for 2 months rather than using bald cap
• Consulted makeup/hair team - unanimous recommendation to shave
• Bald cap application took 90+ minutes vs quick head shaving
• Glenn reported liking the look, feeling more testosterone/virility
• Had to wear bald cap + wig for later scenes (2+ hour process)

Jay's Transition from Multi-Hyphenate to Actor-Only

• Previous film "Random Acts of Violence" - wore all hats (writer/director/producer/star)
• Only acted minimally in that film to secure financing
• Blackberry was first time being main character in years
• Felt like first gig despite working since 1995
• Had to relearn everything post-COVID isolation
• Trusted the process and cinema being created
• Nice to care about acting again vs just treating as gig

Challenges of Wearing Multiple Hats

• Matt: More jobs = permission to be in moment, prevents procrastination/perfectionism
• When only one job, tendency toward Mike Lazaridis-style perfectionism
• Glenn: Exhausting but manageable, would prefer directing without acting
• Weird jumping in/out of performance while monitoring others
• Editing own performance awkward - asking friends which take looks better
• Glenn developed distance after 20 years on Always Sunny - refers to "Dennis take" not "my take"

Documentary-Style Filmmaking Approach

• Inspired by Peter Berg's Friday Night Lights season 1
• Shot on 3-4 16mm cameras simultaneously through entire sequences
• Applied fake documentary aesthetic from previous films to drama
• Makes process less mechanical/predetermined
• Gives impression cameraman doesn't know what will happen
• Creates feeling events happening for first time
• Room for improvisation in blocking, but script was tight

Character Analysis - Jim Balsillie

• Glenn related to Jim's drive against resistance when doing something different
• Always Sunny faced similar obstacles - told couldn't shoot/edit certain ways
• World-changers must bulldoze through obstacles, risk being seen as arrogant
• Jim needed as competitive/aggressive figure to build company against massive competitors
• Antagonist but "our asshole" - rootable because understandable motivations

How to Train Your Dragon Experience

• Jay fell "ass backwards" into franchise
• Just audition, couldn't assume best-case scenario
• Now encounter adults who were kids when first film released
• People work in animation because of movie Jay voiced
• Feels bad taking ownership - job was 90 minutes every 3 months in recording booth
• Easier than live action - could repeat lines, focus only on voice
• Developed shorthand with team over 3 movies + 8-year TV show

Cultural References & Nerd Culture

• Matt included video games, Magic: The Gathering, 80s/90s movies as essential influences
• Engineers/programmers influenced by this culture toward end of 90s
• Early internet was 90% Star Trek forums
• Wanted to honor nerd culture vs using as punchline (Big Bang Theory style)
• Actually playing Command & Conquer Red Alert during filming
• Actors forgot cameras rolling during LAN party scenes
• Matt's mission to represent 90s culture photorealistically

TV vs Film Production Differences

• Glenn: TV character familiarity allows less preparation but can create bad habits
• Must consciously avoid Dennis mannerisms in other roles
• Jay: TV more intensive - 6-10 pages/day vs 2 pages/day for film
• TV = 4-5 scenes/day, film = 1 scene/day typically
• TV gives quicker sea legs but film has more breathing room
• Indie films can shoot 10+ pages/day on tight schedules

AI & WGA Strike Discussion

• Matt: AI writing hasn't reached intimidating level yet, uncanny valley effect
• Still need human curation even if AI improves
• Glenn: ChatGPT surprisingly good at writing jokes, needs massaging
• Could see showrunner + ChatGPT as entire writing staff future
• Humans will always want to tell stories to each other
• Jay: Not threat to him as actor yet, but concerning for writers
• Storytelling fundamental human need across technological shifts

Personal Nerd Interests

• Matt: Magic: The Gathering (dream to be pro player), D&D rule systems, Baldur's Gate, roguelike games, min-maxing systems, Slay the Spire
• Jay: History books, Paradox games (Crusader Kings), French political simulator "Power and Revolution", Football Manager since 2000
• Glenn: Music obsession, doesn't understand life simulation games, prefers action games like Contra

Always Sunny References in Real Life

• Glenn, Rob, Charlie say phrases from show constantly
• "That is what it is" when someone gets something right
• "What is happening" - Glenn's favorite phrase from show
• Can't remember which episodes phrases came from

Acting Challenges - Non-Sequential Shooting

• Must track character transformation across months of non-sequential filming
• Glenn: Read script many times for strong familiarity
• Script supervisor monitors continuity including story consistency
• Director and team help orient actors to character's emotional state
• Reshoots common and necessary - half of top 10 movies had reshoots
• Scientific method approach: experiment, observe, adjust, repeat
• Ensemble helps set tone - other actors' reactions guide performance