Nick Stoller here. Director of Neighbors, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and writer of some other things

How many times have you seen Jason Segel's penis now?

I've seen 48 hours of Jason Segel's penis.

Have you touched it yet?

No comment.

It was a week or two after my daughter was born and we were frazzled out of our minds from lack of sleep and at each others throats. We needed a night out. Badly.

We didn't have anyone to watch her and, as overprotective first time parents, we didn't want to leave her alone anyway. So we asked ourselves, "what can we do with a screaming baby?"

What are some of the things you can do while screaming? Sex, roller coaster, rave, Godzilla attack. Most of those things aren't appropriate for a newborn.

"I know!", we shouted in unison. "The drive-in movie theater is perfect!"

When we got there, we found that the only movie they were showing was Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I didn't know what that's about, and I did't care. Anything to get out of the house. "We'll take two tickets," I told the employee at the theater.

Thanks to you, Nick Stoller, my daughters first word was "Fuck" and, thanks to Jason Segel, she's now ruined as far as penises are concerned. No man will measure up to that thirty foot one she saw as an infant.

That's amazing. Thank you.

How many critics did you pay off to get an 88% fresh in early rotten tomatoes returns?

88% of them!

Hi Nick, your movies are some of my favorite comedies!

1. Get Him to the Greek- it was a weirdly moving movie, and I love the soundtrack! Did you have any influence over the song choices/lyrics?

2. How was it working with Russel Brand? Any funny set stories?

3. Comedic timing- where do you find see a scene that just "works"- do you think its editing, or when you first film it?

Thank so much! Weirdly moving is my M.O. so that's a very high compliment.

1. Yes, I worked with my music supervisor Jonathan Karp and the songwriters to develop Aldous Snow's sound and Jackie Q's sound.

2. Russell is uber professional. As I said earlier, a gentleman and a scholar. He's in his trailer doing a lot of yoga so he doesn't really create any funny stories on set.

3. It's a combination of writing, casting, rehearsal, and then on the day, I'll shoot a lot of different options both with Improv and jokes that I yell out to the actors. But, we really don't know if we have it until we start cutting the scene. Often times, a look that I miss on set is the funniest thing I've shot and a joke that I thought was hilarious on set, is terrible in broad.

I'm so excited to see neighbors. Looks hilarious and awesome reviews so far. Congrats. What was a great behind the scenes memory you have with any of those guys?!

We shot a lot of fake parties. There was one moment when we were shooting a party in a hot tub and it suddenly turned into a real party and they couldn't hear me yelling "cut!" over all the music, so it ended up changing from a fake party into a real party.

Were you surprised that Jason Segel didn't want to be in Muppets Most Wanted given how much he loves The Muppets?

No, because we had told his story to completion.

These days, it's very rare that an original movie is successful. First off, I'd like to commend you for actually writing/directing some huge hits that are completely original. That being said, could you tell me a little about your inspiration for writing Yes Man?

Thank you so much. I was inspired by the book that Danny Wallace wrote. It was instantly interesting idea saying yes to every opportunity that came up. Honestly, if I had been in my early 20s when I read that book, I would have tried it just to see what it was like.

Hey Nick, what does Seth Rogen smell like? I imagine his scent would be potent, yet also somewhat graceful.

He is a very clean, hygienic man. He looks like he'd be sweaty, but he isn't. He smells like soap and fresh linens.

I wish I looked like I was sweaty.

You can. Just take a lap.

Undeclared is one of my favorite shows and it seems like a lot of the emotional themes in your movies could translate well to the small screen. Have you ever though of getting back into television?

I've always been intrigued. I actually did a pilot a few years ago for CBS that was not picked up, but I prefer the gentlemanly schedule of film.

Ugh! How does CBS not do a TV show with you but keep shows like 2 Broke Girls on the air??

No comment.

I really loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Was it hard directing Mila Kunis with a boner?

Thanks! I'm glad you like Sarah Marshall. I have nothing else to add.

Do you know Jeffrey?

Yeah, he's just a nice bloke from down the road.

G him to the G is the best. You ever get the urge to pound the drum and do the Africa face?

All the time. That's one of the funniest lines in any of my movies. My producer, Rodney Rothman, pitched it. It almost didn't end up in the movie and at the last second we put it in our final test and it destroyed.

My fiancé and I have watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall probably more than any other movie together (100+).

One of my favorite memories was seeing Segel perform the vampire musical song live in Chicago to promote I Love You Man.

My question is when are we getting Dracula the musical?

That's a question for Mr. Segel as he owns the rights. There actually is a Dracula Musical poster up in Get Him To The Greek. When Dracula the Musical was a real thing, Jason was working on it for years, so I thought would be funny to make his goal in the movie.

How was working with Russell Brand and Jonah Hill?

It was awesome. They're two of the funniest people alive. Much like their characters, they spent much of that film trying to figure each other out.

In your job you are around lots of very talented people. Who is the most unlike their typical on screen characters of the actors you've worked with?

What is your process for developing a legendary fart joke? How do you improve it after the first pass?

Thank you for the fart joke question.

I would say Russell Brand is not like what he plays. In reality, he is a highly intellectual, pretty private guy, a gentleman and a scholar.

Fart jokes need to be like all good jokes: must come from story. A gratuitous fart joke stinks. Pun intended. My favorite fart joke I shot is when Jonah Hill has to hold drugs in his bottom and farts. Neighbors features a marital fart joke. As Robert Towne said, "All farts must come from character."

Who would make a better Neighbor for you to live next to and why: Arnold or Stallone?

I think Stallone, because if he was making noise I could complain to the Governor but with Schwarzenegger you're kind of fucked. I have a friend who went to Stallone's house and the Rocky statue is in his garage. That is unrelated to your questions, but I thought I should mention it.

What is your favourite song from Get Him To The Greek (Infant Sorrow)? and did you participate in composing any of them?

My favorite song is probably "Super Tight," Jackie Q's song. For Aldous Snow, my favorite song is "We've got the clap". And yes, I came up with a lot of the ideas for the songs and then other people wrote them.

What has been the funniest moment you've experienced as a director?

Diddy doesn't sleep at night, so he would sleep between takes. There's nothing funnier than seeing Sean Combs wrapped up in a Louis Vuitton blanket like an adorable child.

Hello, nick!

I was wondering what your writing process is at a daily level. How many scripts did you write before your first one got produced/picked up? Do you have any scripts that have been bought but not made?

thanks!

I try to set a page limit and try to write a certain number of pages per day regardless of quality. I try to quickly vs. well and re-write many times. I wrote a lot of scripts before one was sold, many of which were terrible. My first spec script that people liked was not sold, but it got me meetings. Yes, I have many scripts that have been bought but not made.

My boyfriend and I LOVED the Muppets movie. What were some of your favorite things you brought to the film?

My favorite thing was Le Maximum, the tiny car. James and I laughed at the tiny tiny car for hours.

What happened to the prop car?

I'm not sure. I'll ask Bobin.

Kristen Bell is my fiance's favorite person. Any funny stories or anything interesting you can share in working with her?

She was a delight. She has a very dirty sense of humor.

I'll always remember when we were shooting the nude scene with Jason, there was a moment where Jason was nude and we weren't shooting his penis and she said, "Wait a minute, why is he naked?"

Oh yeah, this wasn't in the movie, but there was a bit where Russell and Kristen are having sex and she said to Russell "I don't know what's supposed to be happening" then Russell says "wait for it, wait for it." I asked her to make the weirdest, least sexy orgasm sound and it was a noise a bear would make. It was the hardest I've ever laughed filming a movie.

Hah, I can only imagine. Her and Russel together we're quite hilarious just in the movie. Can only imagine some of their off screen moments.

We had to cut a lot of their scenes because of story reasons, but they were just hysterical together. There's a whole scene that I think is on the DVD of Kristen on a horse as it slowly wanders off course and she can't control the horse and she's freaking out as the horse, very slowly, walks on to a golf course.

Nick, Thanks for doing this AMA!

My question is, how was working with Zac Efron?? Is he a douche like he is on screen?

No, he is a delightful gentleman. He's super positive and brings a ton of energy to set. He's also the best looking person I've ever met, including Mila Kunis.

How many times a day did he have to make human sacrifices to the Gods of Time to keep his boyish looks?

He's only 25 or 26...

How excited was Sean Combs to do the "mind fuck" scene?

That "mind fuck" thing is his actual theory. I did not make that up. He told us that theory, which then I immediately put into the film. That was one of my favorite scenes to shoot ever. He yelled something a Jonah during that scene and Jonah was actually scared. We captured that on camera and it was one of the funniest things in the movie. Diddy is one of the weirdest and funniest people I've ever met.

Who made the most mistakes on set? And what's harder, directing or writing?

When I shot with Seth and Rose, they found each other delightful and constantly made each other crack up. So together, they made most of the mistakes.

Directing is the most tiring, but writing is the hardest.

OK, last question - what was in that massive bowl of cereal Jason Segel was supposed to be eating in the intro of FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL?

I think it was Captain Crunch. That made our first camera man laugh so hard that he almost dropped the camera. At first, watching the monitors, I though an earthquake was happening.

How was it working with Hannibal Buress on Neighbors?

He's hysterical. His joke delivery is unlike anyone I've ever worked with. He has a dead pan that can make Steven Wright look energetic. And his stand up is just absolutely brilliant.

Hey Nick! Get Him to the Greek is one of my all-time favorite comedies!

What has been the most stressful to shoot shot/scene you've directed throughout your career? Whether it be actors not cooperating, the set not working, bad weather, whatever. The more detail, the better the schadenfreude!

Shooting in Trafalgar Square at 2am was the hardest. There was a breach in our security and Russell got pushed into the fountain by some hooligan. Russell's awesome security detail took matters into his own hands. I would suggest not pushing Russell into a fountain. That was horrible because I like my actors to feel like they're in a safe environment. Russell was totally sweet and awesome about it and we continued shooting once he was dried off.

Who’s weirder to work with? Gonzo or Russell Brand?

Gonzo is a bit weirder. Again, despite Russell's public persona, he's a pretty normal dude for someone who wears only leather pants.

Hey Nick, Ijust saw Neighbors yesterday and it's totally hilarious! What was Seth Rogen's reaction when the baby was eating a condom; this made me laughed hard.

We all laughed incredibly hard. The baby in reality took the condom which was made of fruit-rollup material and chewed on it for a good 30-seconds. Audiences rejected that much infantile condom eating.

Hi Nick, Looking forward to seeing your new movie! I am an aspiring filmmaker. Any advice for anyone looking to get into movies? I've been thinking about getting into writing more, and doing improv and making connections with creative people. Also I am going to SFSU to finish my film degree, however it seems almost impossible from where I stand to make it into big feature movies, even if they are independent.

Anyway, thanks for doing this AMA! Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of my favorite movies! "inside of you" ……best song.

I would write as much as possible. You can only learn by writing and re-writing. I would move to LA and try to get an assistant job in the industry. That's the best way to make connections. I did improv in college and that helped me with directing, so I would do that more to learn the skill than to make connections. I think that a good script will at least get you meetings, and can do more, but it takes a while to write a first script. I wrote many terrible ones before my first one.

Thanks for the love!

was it freeing making a movie without Judd Apatow as a producer?

No, I love working with Judd. I missed him. Although, it did at times feel like there was no adult on set.

Hi Nick! Saw Bad Neighbours (as it's called here in Ireland) over the weekend and thought it was fantastic! How difficult was the editing process, and do you have any criteria on what stays in the final cut?

Thank you so much! It's all about story. I cut everything out that isn't on story. I also cut any jokes that don't get laughs, and on this one, I actually cut jokes that got medium sized laughs. Also, in all my films, I shoot too many wiener jokes and I end up cutting a lot of those.

PSA: Please be careful when cutting wieners.

I call it circumcising the movie.

Who was your favorite cast member to work with?

The two babies in Neighbors.

When did you realize that you wanted to write and direct comedy? Also, what was your most discouraging moment and how did you get through it?

I've always anted to write comedy ever since I was a child. When I was a kid, I didn't want to be on SNL, I wanted to write the sketched. I don't even know how I knew that was a job, but I did.

There was a period when all my friends were getting hired for TV jobs and I was out of work and had not meetings. It seemed like my career was over before it even started. I just kept writing to get through it and eventually people responded to a script I wrote. It was still years before I made money as a screenwriter, but just that encouragement was enough. You're welcome for that incredibly boring answer.

That's exactly what I needed to hear Nick, thanks!

You're welcome!

would you make a sequel to the five yeear engagement called the five year pregnancy?

If biologically that was a possibility, sure. Although I feel like we're entering the Sci-Fi genre with that idea.

Huge fan of your work, I just saw Neighbors at my college it was incredible, everyone went crazy over it. If you got the chance to remake any movie what would it be?

Gravity. Cuarón didn't do it right.

What is your favorite Kubrick movie and also what movie personally was your favorite to work on ?

1. I've watched that innumerable amount of times.

Personally, I've love working on all my films, but probably Sarah Marshall because we were in Hawaii for two months.

Would you recommend me watching this movie at the drive in with a couple blunts?

Where is there a drive-in? But sure. There is no wrong way to watch this movie. I would also recommend you do that with 12 Years A Slave.

Hello! Big fan of your movies. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of my favorites.

Any advice for someone who wants to get into the Production side of things. I keep applying for PA jobs and no one will hire me as a PA unless I have PA experience...

I would try to start as an assistant anywhere. Editorial assistant or an assistant at an agency in the mail room even if that's not your interest. I also think assistant jobs at agencies are most useful when you start as they see every side of the industry.

What's your favorite movie to watch? What was your favorite movie to write?

Rushmore is my favorite movie to watch. My favorite movie to write was The Muppets.

On a scale of 1-10, how Jewish are Efron and Rogen really?

Rogen 100%. Efron 25%.

What was it like filiming the Jeffrey scene from Get Him to the Greek? Out of that entire movie, thats the one scene that stands out to me other than the African Child video because I am in fact a half african child lmao

edit: AFRICAN CHILD!

The Jeffrey scene was very complicated. That scene is my greatest cinematic achievement. We had to shoot a week of second unit and I shot about a week of first unit. We also shot that scene in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas and pieced it together throughout production. African Child, we shot in a day. I love making those music videos. They were so much fun.

How was it to work with Zac, Seth, Dave? What is your favorite scene? What would you do if you had a fraternity living next door? Love you soo much! hugs from France

Bonsoir! It was a real pleasure working with all three of them. There was a lot of handsomness happening. Seth I have known forever so that was fun to collaborate with a friend. Dave is absolutely hysterical and commits super hard, no matter how dumb the scene. And Zac is a super professional actor. Plus, it's easy to get lost in his eyes.

My favorite scene in Neighbors is the last scene between Seth and Rose where they talk about how their lives have changed. Many of the things they said are things that my wife and I have said to each other.

If I had a fraternity living next door, I would move.

Love back atchya!

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People who play it real, who bring a specific energy to the part. I'm less interested in if someone is funny than if they bring an honesty to their performance. I would also recommend you just commit hard.

Three questions:

• Best comedy script ever?
  
• The worst script that ever got green lighted?
  
• What do I have to do to provide coverage for you?

1. Bad Santa.
2. No comment.
3. I read scripts, not coverage, but thank you.

So so excited to see Neighbors! As a huge fan of Zac Efron and his work I wanted to know if he ever had any scenes with the baby Stella? Also not sure if you did this but I think it would be funny if the frat had kidnapped Stella for a few minutes just to freak out Seth and Rose lol

Zac had two scenes with the baby. One is in the movie briefly. There was another scene, which we cut out, where the entire frat, Seth and Rose stood around the crib while Stella sleeps. We didn't have the frat mess with Stella because the audience would no longer like the frat if we did that.

In Get Him to the Greek, whose idea was it to use The Mars Volta?

Mars Volta is the most disorienting music I've ever heard and we needed something disorienting for that moment.

Hello Nick, Thanks for the ama session

What s the most exciting part of ur job?

With who was it easier/harder for u to work in the past? And with whom do u wanna collaborate someday?

First wave of questions ;-) Thanks

I think production is the most exciting part. When you're directing, it's kind of like leading a small army, but rather than killing people, you're filming dick jokes.

I've been lucky in that I haven't worked with anyone difficult. Even the babies in Neighbors were easy to work with. Although, now that I think about it, Jason's penis required some fluffing, so that was a little tough.

I like working with the people I work with. But, I'd love to work with Zach Galifianakis or Steve Carrell or Will Ferrell or Mickey Rourke or the dog from 'The Artist.'

HI! I just wanna say hi. Gonna watch the movie this weekend! Have a nice day!

You too!

If you were only allowed to watch five movies for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

Thanks for the laughs in all your movies you've been a part of.

Yes Man is a wonderful comedy. I don't consider it to be my favorite movie, but it is one of those movies that no matter what, if it's on, I will watch it in its entirety. Did Jim do anything improv that made it to the film we wouldn't know about?

2001, Rushmore, Annie Hall, Indiana Jones (the first one), Frozen.

I didn't direct "Yes Man" so I'm not sure. But, there was one bit where he puts Tabasco sauce in his eye. It wasn't improv, but they did shoot it. They didn't put it in the movie but it always made me laugh.

If they made a movie about your life, who would play you (other than yourself)?

Ryan Gosling. He's not as good looking or mysterious as me, but he could probably pull it off.

Hi! I know most of what you have directed have been comedy films, but can you ever see yourself directing a serious drama film? If not, why?

No, I will always direct stuff that has comedy in it. I just see the world through a comic lens. I could imagine doing something that was a bit more dramatic, but it would still most likely have fart jokes.

favourite soundtrack song in Neighbors?

Flo Rida, "Freaking out," but the whole soundtrack kicks ass. Manish Raval, my music supervisor did an incredible job. I can take no credit.

All the movies you've directed so far have been R-rated and generally pretty raunchy. Do you think you'd ever work on a PG-13 type comedy, and what do you think you'd have to do differently to make it successful/funny?

I'm only interest in directing R-rated movies. We live in an R-rated world and the kind of truth, honesty and dick jokes can only be R-rated. I love writing PG and PG-13 movies, but when I direct it's more fun to play in the R-rated sandbox.

get on my level and direct nc17

I'm going to reboot "Blue is the Warmest Color" for American audiences.

Who are you thinking of casting?

Seth and Jonah.

Would you rather swap house mates with Zac, and live with his brother, or swap house mates with Seth and live with his wife?

I think both Dave and Rose are lovely people. I can't answer.

I'm seeing an advanced screening of Neighbors tonight through my university. Are there any easter eggs you can tell me now so I look smart in front of my friends when I point them out later?

Chris Mintz-Plasse - his character has a giant penis. We had him wear a prosthetic that was very realistic looking and then cut it out of most of the movie. However, in the Robert de Niro scene, the tip of his penis is sticking out of his boxer shorts. Good luck treasure hunting!

Did you ever meet george carlin? Whos your favorite stand up comic today?

I have never met George Carlin. I have a very unoriginal answer, but my favorite stand up is Louis C.K. Mitch Hedberg is the best joke writer. It was a tragedy when he died.

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Yes, he is an absolute delight.

The musical in Sarah Marshall. Was that you? Was that Jason? Is there a full version somewhere?

In the original script, Jason's character was a songwriter and at the end, he sings a song on a late night talk show. I thought that was too vanilla, so I told Jason we should include his real dream, which was to perform a Dracula musical with all puppets.

Hi Nick,

I heard there was a deleted scene in Sarah Marshall where Russell Brand rides a horse. It was apparently deleted because Russell is absolute rubbish on horse riding. Is this true? And how funny was it to watch him to attempt horseback riding?

In the scene, Sarah Marshall is supposed to be scared of horses and Aldous is supposed to love horses. In reality Russell hates horses and Kristen loves them. However, Russell pulled it off and looked fine riding the horse. We had to cut it for story reasons.

Did you keep any props from the muppets movie? If so what, and may I have it?

I don't have anything from The Muppets movie. I tend not to keep props because your house can quickly resemble Planet Hollywood.

What is your writing process with Jason Segel like?

We break the story together and talk it through over a few weeks, and then we split up scenes and write them separately. As some of you on Twitter might know, we eat either burritos or sandwiches while working.

tell that man segel to get back on twitter, if not just for the food porn pics. and speaking of twitter, why arent you verified? writer/director whateverelseyoudo is too much for them?

I don't know why I'm not verified. It used to bum me out and now I find it hysterical.

Hi Nick, from Miami too. What is your favorite book and why? Thanks

I have many favorite books. One of my favorites is "The Line of Beauty" by Alan Hollinghurst. I also love Kurt Vonnegut. His ability to craft super-tight, impactful sentences is unlike any other author.

What do u do in ur free time if u have any?

What is ur phobia or what r ur phobias?

If u were sent to a desert island what would be the five things u ll take with u?

3rd wave Thanks

1. I spend my free time with my family. I also bake bread.
2. I have one phobia - death. All other phobias are bullshit.
3. I would take: a jet ski, a helicopter, a bridge to the nearest land, a cooler, Us Weekly.

What's your favorite Ice Cream?

Coffee Heath Bar Crunch.

whats your favorite fart joke in a movie?

Blazing Saddles campfire scene.

Efron brothers or Franco brothers?

Cohen brothers.

Q: How many layers of sunblock did you have to put on to keep from being burned by the Awesomeness of Kristen Bell?

100 SPF. She is just a delight.

Hey, Nick! Two questions, if that's ok.

1) Is there a genre outside of comedy (or within in, like a sci-fi comedy, for example) that you'd like to take a crack at?

2) How many fish can you name?

1. My friend Rodney Rothman wrote the funniest Sci-Fi comedy of all time. It's called "The Something" and hopefully it will be made one day soon.
2. One - Humuhumunukunukuapua`a

If you had absolute creative freedom and an unlimited budget, who'd you cast in a movie (out of any actors ever) and what would you make it about (aside from fart jokes)?

With an unlimited budget, I would try to cast every actor that is on IMDb and it would be a remake of "Revenge of the Nerds" done in one shot, without any cuts.

Watched Bad Neighbours last night, absolutely smashing, first of all. Secondly, who came up with all the "man purses before regular purses," rhymes? (PS: It's a disgustingly quotable movie... Well done.)

Thank you so much! That was a group effort between myself, the writers Andrew Cohen and Brendan O'Brien, Seth, Evan, Zac and Dave. There are a hundred more that are int he movie including, "Lebron before his mom."

Also, was it because of you it was released in the UK before the US...? Being London born and all. Released it on a good day too, lad, the sky was BLUE.

No, that's up to the distribution. I think we needed it to coincide with your Bank Holiday.

LOL So u ll take all the ways to get out of this desert island! I get it ;-)

What r ur favorite tv shows? Or the movies u think are well made?

If u were a superhero u ll be...?

Thanks for all ur answers It was pretty fun to share with u

I wish u success and to keep passionated and funny like u r!

Take care

1. Mindy Project, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Rec, Louis, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley.
2. I'd be Robin as portrayed by Chris O'Donnell.