Sam Campbell: From Comedy's Oddball to Superstar with 'Make That Movie'

Australian comedian Sam Campbell is making waves with his new Channel 4 series, 'Make That Movie'. The show, a bizarre concept within a concept, sees Campbell playing a fictionalised version of himself as a director whose inspiration has dried up. He then enlists the public to pitch outlandish movie ideas, which he and his dysfunctional crew develop into actual feature films, culminating in a premiere each episode.

Key Takeaways

• Sam Campbell's unique comedic style, blending observational humour with absurdist twists, has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated following.

• 'Make That Movie' showcases Campbell's unconventional approach to comedy, allowing him to bring his own peculiar ideas to life.

• The series features a cast of familiar faces from the comedy circuit, including Lara Ricote, Aaron Chen, and Helen Bauer.

• Campbell's rise to prominence includes winning the Edinburgh comedy award and a memorable stint on 'Taskmaster' and 'Last One Laughing UK'.

The Genesis of 'Make That Movie'

The premise of 'Make That Movie' is as eccentric as Campbell himself. The show-within-a-show format allows for a meta-commentary on filmmaking and creativity. Campbell, known for his idiosyncratic stand-up, plays a pompous director struggling with writer's block. He invites the public to share their wildest movie concepts, which are then brought to life by his team. This unique structure was met with initial bemusement, even from co-stars like Lara Ricote, who plays Campbell's assistant Jess. However, a shared trust in Campbell's comedic vision prevailed.

A Comedic Ascent

Since relocating to the UK from Australia in the early 2020s, the 34-year-old Campbell has become a distinctive voice in British comedy. His stand-up, characterised by a blend of hammy overacting and childish belligerence, filters observational comedy through an absurdist lens. This approach earned him the prestigious Edinburgh comedy award in 2022. His television appearances have further cemented his status, including a memorable run on 'Taskmaster' and a leftfield presence on 'Last One Laughing UK', where his deadpan demeanour and unconventional antics proved remarkably resilient.

Behind the Scenes

Campbell cast many of his on-screen collaborators from his friendship circle, including Aaron Chen as the incompetent dogsbody Sebastian and Helen Bauer as the grumpy sound engineer Pat. The show's aesthetic, described as a 'real-life cartoon feel', was a deliberate choice by director Joe Pelling, known for his work on 'Don't Hug Me I'm Scared'. Inspirations for 'Make That Movie' range from DIY television programmes to catastrophic film shoots, with a particular nod to the chaotic production of 'The Island of Dr. Moreau'. The comedy, Pelling notes, stems from the inherent humour in taking filmmaking too seriously, especially when things go awry.

An Acquired Taste

'Make That Movie' is not designed for mass appeal; it's an acquired taste, much like Campbell's stand-up. It harks back to a time when comedy embraced eccentricity for its own sake. Campbell's appeal lies in his rejection of conventional, crowd-pleasing humour. As Ricote puts it, watching Campbell's work makes one feel good about their own discerning taste. Campbell himself hopes viewers find the show 'interesting', though he has low expectations for audience engagement in the current media landscape. Ultimately, you don't necessarily need to understand Sam Campbell to appreciate him.

Sources

• ‘People are like: you’re a crackpot’: how Sam Campbell became comedy’s oddball superstar | TV comedy, The Guardian.