There’s a raw but incredibly valuable piece of advice I always tell myself before stepping onto a film set:
“Creativity happens. Things go wrong. Creativity is the better option. Use it.”
This mantra proved true on my very first day directing on the set of Sesame Street. Despite my nerves and anticipation of rookie mistakes, I repeated my mantra and began my work.
My schedule for that day included directing three “Word on the Street” (WOS) segments and two longer show segments. For the WOS segments, I was set to work with actress Claire Danes on the word “Anxious”, SNL comedian Seth Meyers (before his late-night show fame) on “Greetings”, and TV actor Zach Braff tackling “Diagram”.
For those unfamiliar, “Word on the Street” segments on Sesame Street are short, charming bits where a celebrity and a muppet explain a word’s meaning, often through a song or comedic sketch. Typically, it’s a simple single-camera setup, focusing solely on the celebrity and muppet within one frame. Directing-wise, it’s usually quite straightforward.
Weeks before filming, I read the script for the WOS “Anxious” segment and thought there might be room for some fun, slightly offbeat choices. Learning that Claire Danes would be acting opposite Telly Monster only amplified this idea. Danes was known for her anxious character in the hit show HOMELAND, and Telly… well, Telly is famously anxious! I decided to play it cool. My plan was simple: say ACTION!, let them perform, say CUT! Easy peasy, right?
This simple plan actually calmed my nerves. I felt relieved that I wouldn’t be attempting anything too ‘subversive’ – or foolish – on my first day and risk offending the Sesame Street audience, which, in my mind, included every child and parent in America.
The day arrived. I was overly prepared, aiming to do as little as possible to avoid errors. Claire Danes arrived but immediately declared she didn’t want to film the WOS “Anxious” segment. She wanted a different word.
Chaos erupted. Executives and PR people scrambled for phones in distant conference rooms. Assistants whispered frantically in corners. And me? I was desperately trying to hide my growing panic. Yes, my eyes cross when I’m truly panicked.
The Claire Danes segment was scheduled to be the first shot of the morning. Someone decided to rearrange the day’s schedule. “Let the newbie start with Seth Meyers (the non-actor). That’ll buy us time to sort out this Anxious/Danes situation.”
The secret about Seth Meyers is that he’s incredibly efficient. He arrived, nailed two perfect takes, flashed a smile, and left. He was in the building for a total of 27 minutes, most of which was spent in the elevator.
With Seth done, it was decision time regarding the “Anxious” segment with Telly Monster. Enter the wonderfully funny and accommodating Zach Braff. Without hesitation, he agreed to swap segments with Ms. Danes. He spent about five minutes with the new script, then joined Telly on set.
We decided to roll the camera during the first read-through. It was on the second read-through that I heard Zach instinctively lean into the slightly subversive humor I had sensed in the script originally. Someone on set giggled. Zach chuckled, paused, and started to correct himself. That’s when I jumped in!
Click on the image below to see how we managed to sneak a reference to SE7EN, one of director David Fincher’s darkest and most brilliant films, into a segment of America’s most beloved and wholesome TV show, Sesame Street, without causing national outrage among kids and parents.
The key takeaway here is this: Plan thoroughly, but accept that plans will often change. More importantly, be receptive to those unplanned moments of creativity that will inevitably arise. Seize them. Utilize them.
It’s been years since I directed this WOS segment featuring Telly Monster and Zach Braff, but I know that each time someone new discovers it, they experience a moment of amused recognition, a smile spreads across their face. This small, unexpected moment continues to generate conversation, likes, and shares – engagement that lasts.
Many thanks to Zach Braff, my supportive bosses, producers, and the entire crew at Sesame Street for allowing this newbie to play and create something truly memorable with Telly Monster.
