I am Mark Duplass... you might know me as the crazy man from Safety Not Guaranteed, or Pete from The League, or the director of Cyrus and Jeff, Who Lives at Home, or as a donut enthusiast.

Will Bobbum Man ever get to Kevin's equipmunk?

u want me to spoil the show's ultimate finale episode right here?!?!?!?!

What's up, Tall Guy? How is Brian doing?

Who came up with Rafi's character? He's one of my favorites.

our show runners jackie and jeff schafer created everyone of the characters on the league. except for dirty randy, who jason mantzoukis created in an improv.

MARK!! HUGE fan!! There was a huge rumor going around that you and Aubrey Plaza did NOT get along well on the set on SNG due to her farting a few times and blaming it on extras and you. I feel like this is bullshit, but a lot of people have been saying this. Is there any truth to this?

partly true. aubrey did fart a lot and blamed it on everyone, but i found her farts to be oddly appealing, so in the end it actually brought us closer.

How much of the league is improvised?

all the dialogue is improvised, though our outlines often have dialogue suggestions or jokes written that we end up saying close to as written...

Jeff, Who Lives At Home is one of my favorite films of all time. Thank you for making it. Can you share some of the film and musical inspirations for it? What was in your head while writing it? (Other than "Signs" obviously, ha.)

trusting the universe is really hard and people will make fun of u for it a lot. i will sometimes too. but it's an amazing thing to do. funny and sad.

What's the funniest moment that you remember when filming the league?

toilet kitchen. i broke on it 7 takes in a row. that guy killed me.

I have a total girl crush on your wife. What should I name my fantasy team?

the when harry met sallys

Does the cast of The League have a "league" outside the show?

u bet. and guess who won it last year? that's right.

Mark, how'd you get involved with Zero Dark Thirty? It was a nice surprise seeing you show up in that film.

i was lucky enough to be asked to be in the film. was such a great experience for me. love those filmmakers. and got to meet the great james gandalfini.

If you could go back in time what advice would you give yourself?

buy apple stock. early. and dell.

Who is your favorite person to work with on The League?

i love everyone in the cast of that show, but i for some reason love the one on one scenes that i have with paul scheer. fun dynamic.

What's your opinion on the term mumble-core? Do you hate it?

You're character in the Mindy Project is amazing. How much of that is yourself, and how much is the amazing writing staff?

I'm so jealous you know Mindy.

i don't love the word mumble core. kinda wish it would go away.

i am not at all like brendan deslaurier.

i am kinda jealous i know mindy too.

Hey, Mark. Safety Not Guaranteed looks like it was a lot of fun to shoot. Am I right?

i had a blast on that one. a great character to tackle.

How did you meet kate?

new years eve. trouble.

Pirates or monkeys? Please explain your answer

monkeys. they are free masturbators with no shame. i admire that.

What was the first DVD you purchased?

the big lebowski

If you had the opportunity to get anyone you wanted to guest star on The League, who would it be?

burt reynolds.

Your character on the Mindy Project is unreal, you're amazing in it. How did you come to join the show? And with your real-life brother, no less?

mindy just asked me and jay to come do an episode one day, and that turned into many more cos we were all having so much fun. love being on that show.

Who is your favorite football team? And who is your favorite player?

the saints. all time favorite is saints TE hobie brenner

Which other actors would you like to work with?

sam rockwell. richard jenkins. merrly streep. lizzy caplan.

Let's be honest, Kevin's on top right?

No! I mean... yes

What's you favorite podcast right now?

mark maron

SO looking forward to your HBO show "Togetherness" !!! Can you share any details about it? An approximate release date perhaps?

it will come out January 2015.

do you film an episode every week? Because very often you have very topical references based on injuries of real players

we try to make educated guesses and shoot multiple versions of the show. jeff schaffer is very good at guessing somehow!

Which of the actors/actresses from The League is the most like their character?

Also, do you ever plan on appearing on an album with Jon Lajoie?

EDIT:

Thanks for the AMA tall guy. Scrote squad!

i'd say we r all VERY different from our characters, honestly.

i have not been asked by jon to appear. thanks for rubbing it in :)

u r welcome!

dude mark! youre hilarious. quick question about the league if I may... How good of friends are you with Nick , John , Stephen, and Paul? your guys chemistry is awesome and the show and I cant help but feel like you guys are all bros off the set. Best wishes with the movie i will be seeing asap!

we are all very good friends in real life. love those guys.

Discovered you first in Your Sister's Sister at TIFF... and then Safety Not Guaranteed. Love the vibe of your films, and I think you fill a void for small, personal, character driven movies.

My question: How do you feel about movie trailers?

I hate them and think they give WAY too much away, like wrapping a gift in cellophane. Is this every an issue you think about?

check out the trailer for THE ONE I LOVE. gives nothing away. hope u like it.

Hey Mark, I love Volcano!!! I'm Still Excited. Some of those songs are really sweet and heartfelt. Do you ever play music still with those guys?

we've all moved on, but maybe there will be a reunion some day

What advice would you give to young filmmakers who want to try and get out there and make a feature film? Also, how important is improvisation to your style of filmmaking?

just go make your movie. don't wait for anyone to help.

i improvise quite a bit. and think it helps keep things natural

The Mindy Project cast/writers start a fantasy football league, who do you think would win?

mindy. hands down. bc she knows nothing about it and the people who know the least always win.

Love your work in various movies and of course the league.

Who should I draft in the first round of my fantasy draft tomorrow?

Also Cant wait to see your new movie the trailer looks awesome

depends on your pick. i might go crazy and pick megatron if you're late in the round.

Hi Mark! Thanks for the AMA. Seen any good movies lately that you'd care to recommend?

boyhood. the horse boy. how to survive a plague.

Hey Mark, any plans on revamping your 'Netflix 365' recommendations on Twitter?

i actually have something brewing. different form, better and more extensive. stay tuned.

big fan of THE PUFFY CHAIR Just curious where the process starts for you; did you and Jay write that knowing you would play the lead? Are you more interested in acting or directing?

we wrote that for things we had available to us. the van. the apartment. me and katie. etc. it was written specifically so that there were no obstacles to it getting made. highly recommend the process.

If you were writing your own bio, what would be the first line?... and the theme?

"he looked fairly intelligent, but he was so dumb, you guys."

theme: fake it til u make it.

Did you ever figure out what AD stands for?

yep. turns out it was awesome dong all along :(

who composed Cyrus' music from Cyrus ?

Mike Andrews. Does all my stuff... he's the best

Hey Mark! I've been a huge fan of The League since the beginning, and what I really love about it is its improvisational feel, and the subtle jokes and details that make it great for repeat viewing. How many of the jokes are improvised and how many are scripted? For example, the incessant and overly complex rips on poor Andre? Also, congrats on working with Elisabeth Moss I love her in Mad Men and look forward to seeing her in some different roles. Thanks for doing this AMA man!

it's all improvised form outlines... tho our creators often feed us joke ideas as we go along. fun way to do it.

You and you're brother are often cited as pioneers of the "mumblecore" genre, along with a few others... What do you think of the genre label "mumblecore"?

me no likey. feels pejorative and limiting. i don't make mumbly movies. at least i don't think so.

Hey Mark. Thanks for doing this! How is your approach to a show like The League different from how you approach films?

the league has zero emotional content. it's all about hunting for jokes. and trying to set them up for everyone around you. my movies are a bit more nuanced in terms of tone.

What is it like to transition from such a slap-stick comedy character such as Pete in "The League" to some more of your serious parts like in "Your Sister's Sister" and now "The One I Love". Do you find it more challenging switching lanes? Do you have a preference moving forward as to which kind of characters you want to play?

i like it all!

Donut enthusiast?

What's your favorite type, Duplass?

so many. love a basic glazed twist. boston cream. chocolate cake with a little glaze. ugh. gotta stop talking about this now...

How did you and your brother get your first feature made?

it was self funded. our parents, our savings, etc. i made a movie that once only cost $500 and it got bought and distributed. no excuse for not making your own stuff! don't wait for financing.

Was Humpday as awkward to film as it is to watch?

i'm good friends with josh leonard. not awkward at all. super fun actually.

Hi Mark! Here are some random questions: Boxers or Briefs? Socks or barefoot? Coffee or tea? Beach or mountains? Mani or pedi?

boxers. barefoot. coffee. both. neither.

Just watched The One I Love, awesome movie! What was it like working with Charlie McDowell?

that guys is the best. i love him so much. hope to make many more with him.

Hi Mark, big fan! (both of your movies and of your acting roles)

Orson Welles said he just watched Stagecoach over and over again to learn everything about filmmaking he needed to make Citizen Kane. Is there a movie that you feel that way about, and if so, what would it be?

oh boy. the ones i watched over and over again are a little less "classic." karate kid. top gun. romancing the stone. revenge of the nerds?

What is something you really want to accomplish in the next decade?

really interested in trying to fix some of the public schools in my neighborhood. trying to make money in the industry to donate to that cause.

Hello! I loved seeing the League crew at NY Comic-Con last fall. How did you guys like the experience, and any chance you guys would do any more conventions/panels in the future?

we had a blast! hope to do more.

If you were going to make a sequel to any of your movies that aren't Creep, which would it be? What characters would you most be interested in revisiting 10 years later, ala Linklater?

the puffy chair.

What's the last movie that made you cry?

the horse boy. great doc.

Hi Mark, you have a great smile, so I was wondering what makes you smile & what's something we'd be surprised to know about you? :)

dark funny things make me smile. also spicy tacos and pizza and really great beer. you'd probably be surprised to know that i am wearing but off sweatpants right now

What's your writing process? Do you write one script at a time, or do you have many projects in various states of completion?

i usually keep a few going. ones that need inspiration for when i'm feeling inspired, and ones that just need small finessing for when i'm on the other, more analytical side of my brain.

You are on a deserted island and only allowed 3 things. No other human beings. What three things would you have? Also, favorite band of all time?

iPad with classical music. lotsa books. shit ton of water.

too hard on favorite band, but really loving THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH lately.

Which film would you consider the bigger Oscar snub: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, or Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol?

dragnet

What's going on with Togetherness? Any date on when that will be premiering? I've been looking forward to it since you first announced the project with HBO.

January 2015 premiere!

Mark, what I like about is you simple: You are not afraid to try. You act, direct and write projects that would normally seem undesirable to other people. Can you talk a little bit about your willingness to just plain TRY things and take risks?

i am impatient and won't wait for anyone to help me make my stuff. i just like to do it.

Hello Mark! Idk what to ask. I really enjoy the diversity in your work. I find it amazing how an actor is able to portray many different types of characters.

Anyways, I have the second overall pick in my fantasy league. Last year I drafted amazingly and had both McCoy and Forte (my favorite player). Am I crazy in considering drafting Forte 2nd overall? If McCoy is gone?

forte not for me second overall. u should have mccoy then still. unless your first pick is dumb.

have you ever had fear boner? if so when?

not yet. but i'm still young.

I love you and Jay's characters as the Deslaurier brothers on the Mindy Project. What is your favorite thing about being involved in that show? It seems like it'd be a lot of fun.

i just love the people. mindy, ike, messina. dave stasson. they are all so amazing and nice to be with.

First I wanted to say and I'm a huge of you and your brother's work and that The Puffy Chair was the film that inspired me to make films myself.

What films inspired you to make films yourself?

Also, when will there be a Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! reunion?

thanks for the nice words. i find that making films about the things i talk about late at night with my wife and friends is a good place to start. in terms of VISE!! reunion, i have dreams about it and that i forgot how to play all the songs!

How do you feel about the current state of American filmmaking? Do you feel that most films being made by American filmmakers and studios have a serious lack of artistic value?

big fan of what you do.

very broad question! too many different types of american filmmakers. some really great. some schlocky and shitty. but there are great filmmakers here. u just have to seek them out.

If they were in the same fantasy league, who would win: Pete or Kenneth from Safety Not Guaranteed?

obviously kenneth. he has one small but important advantage that would make him unbeatable :)

I'm a huge fan of The League and all of your work that I've seen so far. My question is; what's it like working on a set where the show is so heavily improvised? Is it a very different experience to working on a more structured set?

it can be different. i'd say with an improv show you really have to be on your toes, listening, and it can be a little more tiring, but ultimately it can be more fun when things are really clicking (you can also fall on your face a lot)

Why Tammy?

they were nice and fun as all hell to work with. i'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Do you have anything that you're working on right now?

just finished a show for HBO called TOGETHERNESS that my brother and i created and that i star in. also, on the road promoting my new movie THE ONE I LOVE!

Is Creep ever going to be released? I would love to see it!

yep. early 2015. look for it!

Know of a good place to find a decent chair? One that's sort of, I dunno, puffy like?

they're everywhere!

Are you still writing with your brother? What's that process like?

yes. we wrote 8 episodes of our tv show TOGETHERNESS last year together. it's great. we crack stories together and then ping pong drafts back and forth.

Can you sing a verse of Landslide real quick?

i'm doing it right now. i promise.