We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vincenzo Irrig a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Vincenzo, appreciate you joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

During my last semester of college, one of my professors asked the class if we were to adapt “A New England Nun” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman into a movie, what changes would we make, what moments would be essential to include in the adaptation, and who would we cast. Like most people, I liked watching movies, but until then, I hadn’t thought about how to write one.

Six years after that class, I graduated from UNCSA with an MFA in screenwriting. My graduate school experience was two years focused on writing, collaborating with actors and animators, and talking with industry professionals. The year after graduate school, I taught high school English as my day job and could not bring myself to write. I wanted to write, but I put so much pressure on myself to write when I had free time that I couldn’t.

The analytical side of my brain took over whenever I tried to write, which meant getting whatever I was writing “right” immediately. To write again, I had to turn it off completely. I just had to write.

Vincenzo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a writer and filmmaker, who specializes in comedy. I love crafting dialogue, writing with others, and finding comedy is the mundane. I also write copy for a number of clients.

One of my proudest moments was being selected for a sketch writing workshop led by the talented and hilarious Emily Spivey (“Saturday Night Live,” “Wine Country”).

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Some people romanticize the lonely writer, toiling away in solitude on their work. It’s funny because the most rewarding part of writing is working with others, whether they’re actors, directors, or other writers. Collaboration improves every project I work on.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Judd Apatow’s “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling” documentary and “It’s Garry Shandling’s Book” are two texts I return to at least once a year. Both offer intimate looks at Shandling through interviews, his work, and excerpts from the journals he kept for most of his life.

His journal entries show his struggle with self-doubt, remaining present, and being himself throughout his career, from guest-hosting “The Tonight Show” in the eighties to running “The Larry Sanders Show.” These entries inspire me because Shandling kept pushing to do better work and be a better person. He did not let his negative thoughts stop him.

Kids should have motivational Garry Shandling posters hanging up in their rooms.

Contact Info:

• Website: vincenzoirrig.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evenmoregarlic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenzoirrig/

Image Credits
Character Art and Designs by Beau Sheil Portraits by Kathryn Fulp