Digest

This podcast episode features Michael Rosenbaum and Elijah Wood discussing a range of topics, including new beginnings, anxiety, and Elijah's extensive career. Michael starts by reflecting on the past year, highlighting personal challenges and his excitement for the year ahead. He then discusses the importance of therapy and promotes BetterHelp, a sponsor of the podcast. The conversation shifts to Elijah Wood's career, starting with his unconventional high school experience and his audition process for "Lord of the Rings." They delve into Elijah's experiences on various projects, including "Wilfred," "The Oxford Murders," and "Yellowjackets," highlighting the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the importance of creative processes. The episode concludes with Elijah expressing his gratitude for finally being on the podcast and Michael thanking the show's patrons.

Outlines

00:00:00

New Beginnings and Reflections

Michael Rosenbaum welcomes listeners back for a new year, reflecting on personal challenges and his excitement for the year ahead. He emphasizes the theme of new beginnings and shares his enthusiasm for fresh starts.

00:01:01

Remembering the "New Beginnings" Sketch

Michael and Ryan discuss the "Chopin Broccoli" sketch from SNL with Dana Carvey, where Carvey plays a pop star struggling to come up with new ideas for his album. The sketch features the recurring phrase "new beginnings," resonating with Michael's earlier sentiment about fresh starts.

00:01:34

Upcoming Events and Projects

Michael shares his upcoming events and projects, including the Smallville cruise, the Big Con in Chicago, and various appearances at conventions and events. He also mentions his book, "The Talented Farder," and his cameo appearances.

00:19:44

BetterHelp Sponsorship and the Power of Therapy

Michael discusses the importance of therapy and promotes BetterHelp, a sponsor of the podcast. He emphasizes that therapy can help individuals write new chapters in their lives, learn coping skills, and become the best versions of themselves.

00:20:55

Over the Garden Wall: A Mini-Series Worth Watching

Michael talks about the animated mini-series "Over the Garden Wall," which aired on Cartoon Network 10 years ago. He describes the show's unique visual style, classic storytelling, and nostalgic themes. He also mentions the recent 10th-anniversary celebration with a stop-motion short.

00:23:04

Elijah Wood's Career and Personal Life

Michael reflects on Elijah Wood's extensive career, highlighting his roles in films like "Lord of the Rings," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and "Come to Daddy." He also discusses Wood's upbringing and his relationship with his family, particularly his mother's influence on his values.

00:31:34

Elijah Wood's Unique High School Experience

Elijah shares his unconventional high school experience, which involved correspondence courses due to his busy acting career. He reflects on the benefits of this focused education and how it shaped his perspective on learning.

00:34:09

Dealing with Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Michael and Elijah discuss their experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. They share coping mechanisms, including preparation, facing fears, and the importance of therapy. They also acknowledge the commonality of anxiety in the entertainment industry, particularly on the first day of a new project.

00:47:55

Elijah Wood's Audition for Lord of the Rings

Elijah recounts his audition process for "Lord of the Rings," emphasizing his decision to create his own audition tape. He describes his preparation, including dialect coaching, costume choices, and the collaboration with his friend George Wang. He shares his emotional experience of receiving the call from Peter Jackson and the impact of the role on his life.

01:00:14

Elijah Wood's Heroes and Musical Influences

Michael asks Elijah about his heroes and role models. Elijah shares his love for music and names the Beatles and Radiohead as some of his favorite bands. He also expresses his admiration for Prince, highlighting his influence on music.

01:02:23

Creative Process and Gratitude

Elijah Wood discusses his love for music and creative processes, highlighting the collaborative nature of filmmaking and his gratitude for his family, experiences, and the opportunity to work with legends like John Hurt.

01:04:14

The Oxford Murders and Collaboration

Elijah Wood shares his experience working on "The Oxford Murders," discussing his admiration for John Hurt and the film's origins with Spanish filmmaker Alex Taylor Glacier.

01:05:32

Memories of Wilfred and Consistency

Elijah Wood reminisces about his time on "Wilfred," highlighting the unique consistency of having the same director, Randall Einhorn, for all four seasons, creating a fun and collaborative atmosphere.

01:07:10

Absurdity and the Ryan-tist

Elijah Wood describes the comedic nature of "Wilfred," emphasizing the ever-changing character of Wilfred and the fun of reacting to his madness. He also mentions the "couch beats" and the unique filming style with super long lenses.

01:09:16

Yellowjackets and Bookworm

Elijah Wood talks about his experience joining the cast of "Yellowjackets" after being a fan of the show and his recent film "Bookworm," a father-daughter wilderness story with a similar comedic tone to "Come to Daddy."

01:10:45

Bookworm and the Loose Dad Trilogy

Elijah Wood discusses the creative team behind "Bookworm" and its connection to "Come to Daddy," hinting at a potential "loose dad trilogy" with a third film in the works.

01:12:37

A Long Time Coming

Elijah Wood expresses his gratitude for finally being on the podcast, acknowledging the persistence of the hosts and sharing a funny anecdote about a chance encounter on a plane.

01:13:30

Patron Shoutout

Michael Rosenbaum thanks the show's patrons, highlighting their importance in supporting the podcast and keeping it going. He then reads out a list of the top tier patrons.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were some of the challenges Michael faced in the past year?

  Michael went through surgery, experienced withdrawal, and dealt with the passing of his grandmother.

• What is the significance of the "Chopin Broccoli" sketch from SNL?

  The sketch features the recurring phrase "new beginnings," which resonates with Michael's earlier sentiment about fresh starts and the theme of the podcast episode.

• What are some of the upcoming events and projects that Michael is excited about?

  Michael is looking forward to the Smallville cruise, the Big Con in Chicago, and various appearances at conventions and events. He is also promoting his book, "The Talented Farder," and his cameo appearances.

• How did Elijah Wood's unconventional high school experience shape his perspective on learning?

  Elijah believes that his focused education through correspondence courses provided him with a deeper understanding of the material and helped him develop a strong work ethic.

• What are some of the coping mechanisms that Michael and Elijah use to deal with anxiety?

  Both Michael and Elijah emphasize the importance of preparation, facing fears, and seeking therapy. They also acknowledge that anxiety is a common experience in the entertainment industry, particularly on the first day of a new project.

• What was Elijah Wood's approach to his audition for "Lord of the Rings"?

  Elijah decided to create his own audition tape, going beyond the typical static office background. He prepared meticulously, including dialect coaching and costume choices, to showcase his passion and enthusiasm for the role.

• Who are some of Elijah Wood's musical heroes and influences?

  Elijah expresses his admiration for the Beatles, Radiohead, and Prince, highlighting their impact on his musical taste and appreciation for different genres.

• What does Elijah Wood find most rewarding about working in film and TV?

  Elijah Wood enjoys the collaborative creative process of filmmaking, working with talented individuals towards a common goal.

• How did Elijah Wood get involved in "The Oxford Murders"?

  Spanish filmmaker Alex Taylor Glacier, known for his genre films, reached out to Elijah Wood with the script for "The Oxford Murders."

Show Notes