A Celebration of Season One with Ken Olin and Us
That Was Us
Deep Dive
Why did Ken Olin decide to stop acting and focus on directing?
Ken found acting to be a drudgery and felt he couldn't lose himself as an actor, whereas directing allowed him to be more fulfilled and engaged.
How did Ken Olin first get into directing?
Ken started directing in the second season of '30-something' after feeling overwhelmed by the experience of directing for the first time.
What was Ken Olin's role on 'This Is Us'?
Ken Olin was an executive producer and directed 32 episodes, overseeing continuity, directing other directors, and maintaining tonal consistency.
Why did Ken Olin feel comfortable directing episodes himself rather than overseeing other directors?
Ken felt uncomfortable directing other directors and found it easier to just direct the episodes himself to maintain control and connection with the cast and production.
What was Ken Olin's experience like directing for the first time?
Ken found it overwhelming and nearly quit after the first day, but eventually grew to enjoy directing and became much happier with it.
How did Ken Olin's experience as an actor influence his directing style?
Ken's acting background helped him understand actors' needs and create a comfortable environment, making him more empathetic and less likely to infantilize or intimidate them.
What did Ken Olin miss most about working on 'This Is Us'?
Ken missed the camaraderie and shared sensibilities with the cast and crew, feeling it was a rare and special experience to work with people he loved and respected.
- Ken Olin started directing in the second season of '30-something'.
- He moved back to New York after experiencing toxic work environments in Los Angeles.
- Dan Fogelman's mother loved 'Brothers and Sisters', which led to Dan considering Ken for 'This Is Us'.
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