I am Richard Ayoade, and ask me anything. -REDDIT

benbooooo · 2014-05-06T15:21:38-07:00

Has Noel Fielding ever dressed you up?

flyrtildeg · 2014-05-06T14:37:14-07:00

Hi Richard! Thanks for doing this AMA.

I’m just wondering what it was like growing up “triculturally”, with your mother being Norwegian, your father Nigerian, and yourself being raised in Britain. I live in Norway also, and I’d like to know if you have been here before or learned any Norwegian from your mother.

ZombieNinjaPirate · 2014-05-06T15:04:30-07:00

What was your relationship like with Chris O’dowd on the set of the I.T crowd?

pentangleit · 2014-05-06T14:34:50-07:00

Hey Richard! Great to see you here. As an actor, what’s your real life IT skills like?

DLPE · 2014-05-06T14:34:40-07:00

Any plans to release the radio show you did with Noel Fielding?

Richard_Ayoade · 2014-05-06T14:35:02-07:00

[deleted]

r_antrobus · 2014-05-06T14:38:25-07:00

What was the last large budget feature film you enjoyed?

SyNiiCaL · 2014-05-06T14:33:32-07:00

Hi Richard! Big fan of your work (so far!). A yearly ritual for me and my father is watching the Big Fat Quiz of the Year, and you’re by far our favourite contestant on there. My question is in relation to that show, when the audience, and celebrity counterparts are laughing at a joke you make, how do you maintain such a straight face, without even a smirk. Any secrets?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:41:54-07:00

ae there any actors out there you wish to work with?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:47:08-07:00

will you be working with Noel Fielding again?

cavendish88 · 2014-05-06T15:04:09-07:00

Are you the same “R.A. was here” written in Sharpie in the men’s toilets at the Eagle Pub in Cambridge? I notice it every time I go there.

patman990 · 2014-05-06T14:52:50-07:00

I read you once practiced law. How did you go about transitioning from that to writing/directing/acting?

seismicor · 2014-05-06T14:43:54-07:00

What is more satisfying to you? Acting or directing?

thesplord · 2014-05-06T14:49:13-07:00

Do you store things in your hair?

Oolonger · 2014-05-06T14:34:01-07:00

I recently read Stephen Fry’s autobiography, and in it he says he felt like being in the Footlights was a disadvantage when he started out, because of ‘reverse snobbery.’
As a former Footlights president, do you think having that comedy background gives you an advantage, or does it just mean you have to work harder to prove that you’re not just a posh twit with good connections?
Also, I’m looking forward to Luxury Comedy series 2. City Gent is my favourite character!

carlosreddevil · 2014-05-06T14:57:54-07:00

Hi. Hope all’s well. If you HAD to direct a re-make of any film, what would it be and why?

Musimania · 2014-05-06T14:34:40-07:00

Hi Richard,

Firstly, thanks for doing this AMA! I’m a big fan of Submarine and, although I sadly missed the release of The Double, I look forward to when it’s released on disc.

As I loved your appearances with the Mighty Boosh, are you planning on working with either Noel or Julian (or both!) in the future?

Cheers.

Oneinchwalrus · 2014-05-06T14:37:34-07:00

How do you keep your hair so fabulous?

ashleyhphoto · 2014-05-06T14:56:26-07:00

Hey Richard! Would you ever come to New Zealand/Australia on tour?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:48:52-07:00

what would you do or say if you met your own double?

tdkreturns · 2014-05-06T14:56:33-07:00

Who is the funniest person in the world?

grantmacv · 2014-05-06T14:33:29-07:00

Mr Ayoade! massive massive fan, I love Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, and IT Crowd is one of my favourite shows, and I really look forward to seeing The Double. I have 2 questions, the first one is; Was it as funny on set as it was watching when Chris O’Dowd was taking photos of you for the calender on the IT Crowd? and the bands you have directed music videos for, are you a genuine fan? because by chance they happen to be some of my all time favourite bands. If you reply to this it will make my life complete.

Foonsaki · 2014-05-06T15:06:17-07:00

How’s your day going?

UnitedFanDes · 2014-05-06T14:33:40-07:00

Hi Richard!

How was directing the ‘Critical Film Studies’ episode of Community? Are you a fan of the show?

One of my favourite episodes, by the way.

Thanks!

P.S The Double was great. Everybody go see it if you have the chance!

gerryhanes · 2014-05-06T15:23:28-07:00

What question are you really hoping someone will ask today?

arcosapphire · 2014-05-06T14:45:59-07:00

What is your favorite tea? My wife is very interested in the answer to this for some reason.

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:37:31-07:00

do you have any tips on set control? like controlling crew and actors?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:41:30-07:00

What would you say are your biggest influences?

Kknowsbest · 2014-05-06T14:37:22-07:00

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

lomoeffect · 2014-05-06T14:33:19-07:00

Hi Richard! Submarine was quite pronounced in its French New Wave influences throughout the film – where exactly did your inspiration for this come from?

seismicor · 2014-05-06T14:34:56-07:00

Hi, do you believe that you’re being typecast after you’ve played Moss in The IT Crowd?

dancing-greg · 2014-05-06T14:36:14-07:00

How many hairstyles did you go through before you settled on Moss’s unique do?

r_antrobus · 2014-05-06T14:37:20-07:00

Are you currently wearing woman’s slacks?

TheCubanpete · 2014-05-06T14:51:23-07:00

Does your ear ever actually get hot?

(Mine does :<)

Captain77Anarchy · 2014-05-06T15:57:23-07:00

Why aren’t you the new Doctor

BreatheUnderwater · 2014-05-06T14:57:54-07:00

How deep is the ocean?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:44:45-07:00

will you ever be acting in one of your written/directed films?

surlyass · 2014-05-06T14:35:18-07:00

You recently met Paul Thomas Anderson – what was that like? Did he share any Pynchon-related anecdotes? Did you get a sneak preview of Inherent Vice?

r_antrobus · 2014-05-06T14:35:14-07:00

What did you think about Jesse Eisenberg’s casting as Lex Luthor?

powerparrot · 2014-05-06T14:51:32-07:00

Richard do you get to keep the gadgets from Gadget Man? Also what projects to do you have coming up that we should look forward to?

Thanks!

Dsvkb · 2014-05-06T14:33:07-07:00

Hello, it’s great to see you on here! I just had a question about the Boosh. Do you think that there will ever be a new series/the ever talked about movie? Or do you think that ship has already sailed? Thanks for stopping by!

Randamonia · 2014-05-06T14:55:51-07:00

Hey Richard, I was wondering, what did you prefer being on most, The IT Crowd or The Mighty Boosh?

Edit: Also, what was more fun making? I would also like to know if you will be considering doing something like Bunny and The Bull again (my favourite movie)?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:37:11-07:00

do you have any screenwriting advice?

shivan21 · 2014-05-06T15:04:10-07:00

Were there some concrete philosophical stands or even schools you had on mind when making The Double?

epicmindwarp · 2014-05-06T15:14:37-07:00

What operating system are you using?

InvertedGoat · 2014-05-06T14:37:43-07:00

Hi Richard, big fan.

Quick question. How did Alex Turner end up doing the soundtrack for the magnificent Submarine?

Richard_Ayoade · 2014-05-06T14:41:09-07:00

[deleted]

patman990 · 2014-05-06T14:39:51-07:00

What’s some of your favorite music?

Love all your work, so surprising to see that you’re as brilliant behind the camera as in front of it. Looking forward to The Double.

elwiley · 2014-05-06T14:43:00-07:00

In the interview you did with Jesse Eisenberg for Total Film, when they asked about the Batman/Superman movie, did you already know Jesse had been cast in it? Either way, it’s funny to watch now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHPJ2fTKLNE for reference

prettygin · 2014-05-06T14:51:19-07:00

Hi Richard! I’m a big fan of yours and love watching any show with you in it. Will you be in series 2 of Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:38:27-07:00

what is your writing process like? do you plan out methodically or do you jump straight in?

Kinda_Directionless · 2014-05-06T15:04:09-07:00

Can I just say, your hair is pretty cool, may I ask if you use any particular products to achieve that epic fro…?

liamquane · 2014-05-06T15:07:25-07:00

what part of Moss was chosen by you? (look, tone of voice, walk)

jiffy_lidia · 2014-05-06T14:34:07-07:00

Hello Richard Ayoade! 🙂 I hope you are having a wonderful day! Firstly I would like to say that I love your work in both acting and directing. Submarine is my favorite movie,IT Crowd is legendary, Garth Meranghi’s Darkplace is amazing, your wittiness on Big Fat Quiz keep me laughing for the whole day and all get me through a bad day 🙂
Secondly I would like to ask which do you enjoy doing more acting or directing? Also what are your top 5 favorite books? Thank you so much for doing this AMA! 😀

brandyofthedamned · 2014-05-06T14:33:21-07:00

Hi Richard, I love gadget man and was wondering when the next series would come out? I also love your sense of humour, do you plan on doing a new tv show anytime soon? I think you and Noel Fielding should collaborate.

Kknowsbest · 2014-05-06T14:33:37-07:00

Where is the strangest place that somebody has recognized you?

Funslinger · 2014-05-06T14:52:37-07:00

Hey, Richard! I really enjoyed your movie, Submarine.

If I came up with a question, it would be contrived. I mostly just want acknowledgment that you’ve read this and know how big of a fan I am.

liamquane · 2014-05-06T14:39:02-07:00

will you be working with Jesse Eisenberg again?

ironicgoldfish · 2014-05-06T14:49:32-07:00

how do you like your cups of tea.. seriously

DLPE · 2014-05-06T15:04:27-07:00

What hobbies do you enjoy during your downtime?

Ledzepper · 2014-05-06T14:34:31-07:00

Do you have any plans to direct an original movie soon?

ChuckEye · 2014-05-06T14:38:33-07:00

The trailer for The Double reminded me in tone of Brazil, The City of Lost Children or Delicatessen (or other 80’s/90’s arthouse dystopia). Were there particular films or directors you looked at when developing the look and feel of the movie?

shivan21 · 2014-05-06T14:53:06-07:00

What’s your favorite tv show?

punkrockblues · 2014-05-06T14:34:13-07:00

The internet is a fun but scary place, so congratulations on making it this far and for joining the Twitter universe (I refuse to say Twitterverse) as well. Oh, and reddit, of course. I have a few questions, so feel free to exercise your free will and answer as many or as few as you like:

What was your introduction to Dostoyevsky, and what drew you to “The Double” in particular?
Any plans, or at least desire, to direct more television in the US?
Do women’s trousers instill the amount of confidence that Douglas Reynholm and Maurice Moss claim?
Have you spoken to Alex Turner since he discovered pomade? I quite enjoy that kid.

Thanks for your time. Dean Learner is my hero, so I suppose vicariously you are too. All the best. – Rachel

MrGurns · 2014-05-06T14:33:24-07:00

Richard,

First, finish your milk.

During your time on The IT Crowd, what memory of Chris, Katherine, Matt, and/or Noel is your favourite?
What are your opinions on the final episode?
You seem quite knowledgeable on Board game culture, Do you have any favourites that you enjoy playing?

Thank you for your work–both acting and directing. Looking forward to hearing from you!