EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With Filmmaker and Comedian Jesse Shapiro

SL talks to LA’s Jesse Shapiro about his gig on Chelsea Lately, first feature film, and plans for the future.

By: Ashley Baylen
Published: January 18th, 2012 in Culture » Society » Interviews

Jesse Shapiro

LA based filmmaker and comedian, Jesse Shapiro, has quite an impressive list of accomplishments… and his career has only just began.

Shapiro started his foray into the entertainment world working as a talent booker for the Hollywood Improv. He has written and directed over 60 shorts for Sony Crackle, and currently performs audience warm-up for E!’s Chelsea Lately. Additionally, Shapiro has worked with comedians Chelsea Handler, Daniel Tosh, David Spade, and George Lopez and popular brands including Pepsi, Absolut, and Kroger Supermarkets.

Shapiro is currently in pre-production on his first feature film entitled Nobody Walks in LA.

For more info about Jesse, visit www.jesseshapiro.com or twitter.com/jesseshapiro.

Ashley Baylen (AB): You label yourself as a “filmmaker and comedian”. Are these mutually exclusive or do you want to pursue comedic film?

Jesse Shapiro (JS): They are by no means mutually exclusive! The short films I’ve made in the past and the stories I’m looking to tell in the future are all very humorous. That being said as a filmmaker I’m definitely looking to make movies that have a serious side to them as well. I find some of the best comedy comes from difficult, trying, and painful situations.

AB: Tell us about your feature film Nobody Walks in L.A.

JS: Nobody Walks in LA is my love story to Los Angeles- I think New York has enough of them. I was born and raised in LA so the city holds a very special place in my heart. The films and TV shows made about LA inevitably tend to revolve around the entertainment industry, gangs, or boobs on the beach. This movie attempts to represent the rest of this awesome city.

Nobody is the story of two old friends, Becca and Miles, who faced with decisions that cannot wait, put their lives on pause for a day and do the unthinkable…walk around Los Angeles. Putting aside a failing engagement on the one hand and a cross country move on the other – Becca and Miles rediscover not just the streets of Los Angeles, but each other.

I’m currently in discussions with two different production companies who are interested in the project. If that doesn’t pan out I plan on raising the money myself and producing it on a micro-budget. So if there are any Jewish people out there looking to invest in a bright, young, funny Jewish filmmaker... Look no further. Email me. Seriously. So not joking. Jesse.shapiro@mac.com

AB: How did you land your gig working with Borderline Amazing and Chelsea Lately?

JS: Do you want the long answer or the short answer?

Long answer is I used to be the talent booker for the Hollywood Improv from 2005-2007, so I met Chelsea way back then. I had just finished writing, producing, and directing over 50 short comedy films for Sony Crackle in 2010 and Borderline was launching “The Comedians of Chelsea Tour” so I initially came on board to manage and host that tour.

The short answer is I blew Chris Franjola.

AB: Besides Chelsea, who’s the funniest comic on the Chelsea Lately roundtable?

JS: Obviously, Chuy.

AB: Who is just not funny?

JS: I have a lot of respect for anyone willing to put themselves out there and attempt to entertain people. Comedy is hard. That being said, thankfully you don’t know the people I think really aren’t funny. I had to sit through a lot of painful comedy acts when I booked the Improv. I still have flashbacks.

AB: Who is the easiest public figure to make fun of?

JS: Republicans in general have been lobbing softballs at the comedy community for well over a decade now.

AB: What are your ultimate goals professionally? Are your current endeavors a stepping-stone hopefully leading up to “Jesse Lately”…or insert title that’s more inspired?

JS: Hahaha. Jesse Lately. My ultimate goal is to be a feature writer, director, producer and to create films that make people laugh, cry, and think.

I’m not really interested in being in front of the camera. Being famous sounds awful to me, I’d never want to be bothered everywhere I go. I want to be a little famous, like every two weeks someone comes up and says, “I really loved that movie you did”.

AB: On your website, you encourage fans to sign up for your email list by sending them “the most embarrassing picture of me ever.” The photo depicts a four-year-old you in drag. Is that really the most embarrassing photo that’s ever been taken of you?

JS: Busted. I should say “the most embarrassing photo of me with clothes on“

AB: The best part about being Jewish is...