Master Class season ends with one half of the Daniels

On April 25, Academy Award-winning director of "Everything Everywhere All at Once" Daniel Scheinert sat down with Travis Knox and Dodge College students for an interactive and joke-filled master class. Photos by Gustavo Vera

“Swiss Army Man” is a strange movie. After originally premiering at Sundance Film Festival, the Daniels’ feature directorial debut has been coined the “corpse jet ski” or “farting corpse” movie. But in reality, the film tells a story about a lost man trying to find his way. 

The film deals with such difficult subjects as shame, social norms and more. Just like their second film “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the Daniels mixed absurdity with reality, attempting to address the many facets that make us human. Together, they have developed a unique visual language. 

“If we take the audience to meaninglessness, what can pull (them) back?” Scheinert said. “Family, love (and) connection.” 

That visual language was on display on April 25 as Dodge College of Film and Media Art’s final master class of the semester took place, featuring a viewing of “Swiss Army Man” and a Q&A with co-director of the film Daniel Scheinert. The master class was moderated by producing professor Travis Knox. 

There were plenty of fun and lighthearted moments throughout the night, including the appearance of a dummy of Daniel Radcliffe’s “Swiss Army Man” that filled the seat reserved for Kwan.

Missing was the other half of the Daniels, Daniel Kwan, who was unable to attend due to an illness, as Scheinert mentioned during the evening. Representing the directing duo, Scheinert shined in the spotlight with his welcoming demeanor and constant joke cracking as he and Knox discussed his film career, including Scheinert’s time at Emerson College, meeting — and initially not liking Kwan, and eventually being a nominee at the Academy Awards. 

Senior television writing and production major Hannah Merritt told The Panther she enjoyed Scheinert’s millennial sense of humor and down to earth presence. 

“Something I really appreciate about the Daniels and Daniel (Scheinert) is how they give a really nice look into what it’s like to be working in the industry right now,” Merritt said. “It doesn’t have to go to your head or be all about the money and the awards season.” 

Scheinert showcased his humble attitude throughout the night, telling the crowd that after the awards mania of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which the Daniels notably directed and won three Academy Awards for this year, he said he's still processing the whole experience and will be attending more therapy because of it. 

“I want to be the underdog, not the competitor,” Scheinert said. “It meant a lot to us to see people care about (the film).” 

When Knox brought up Scheinert meeting great filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Todd Field, Scheinert joked that he had not only met these filmmakers but beaten them. 

“I didn’t want to (beat them),” Scheinert said. “I just wanted to be in the room.” 

Throughout the night it was often clear, and alluded to, that while Scheinert is an Academy Award winning director, he was once a film student like most audience members. He still refers to himself as a theater kid and makes self-deprecating jokes at every turn. 

When he noticed the googly eyes on people’s foreheads, a nod to “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Scheinert said people wearing them were a part of his “cult.” Even with the fame, he’s still just like the rest of us. 

“I was nervous about going into competitive art land,” Scheinert said. “I don’t like fancy things or trophies.” 

There were plenty of fun and lighthearted moments throughout the night, including the appearance of a dummy of Daniel Radcliffe’s “Swiss Army Man” character that filled the seat reserved for Kwan. The master class also consisted of a viewing of the Daniels' directed music video “Turn Down for What” and a Scheinert-led theater warm up exercise. 

But even amongst the laughs and fart jokes — which were numerous — Scheinert took the time to speak on his artistry and the challenges of Hollywood. 

“Feature films are a marathon,” Scheinert said. “We have to remember to be nice to ourselves and put breaks in (the schedule).” 

Scheinert shared various tales about the “Swiss Army Man” set, including Jonathan Wang, producer and honorary Daniel, giving out B-12 shots and Radcliffe’s insistence that he do his own stunts. 

Sophomore film production major Haley Kamola was a first-time viewer of the film and attended because she was excited to see it. 

“I definitely saw bits and pieces of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ within (‘Swiss Army Man’),” Kamola said. “It was really cool seeing how the directors got their start.” 

Even with an award-winning director in the building, the Folino Theater was more empty than usual — nothing like the crowd for the likes of Michelle Yeoh or Austin Butler. At the beginning of the screening, Knox even asked the crowd to text their friends telling them to attend the master class after the screening. 

But those who didn’t attend the last master class of the year missed one of the most relaxed speakers and a master class that felt intimate, as if the audience and Scheinert were all sitting down for coffee, joking about the good old days. 

Actors and actresses might be all the rave, but it’s the people behind the camera that seem to step onto the stage in the Folino to say, “Hi, don’t worry, the film industry isn’t so scary.” 

And Scheinert was no exception. 
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts master classes are available to all Chapman students and alumni. Seats are available either on a first-come, first-served basis or by lottery system depending on the master class. Dates, times, upcoming guests and additional information can be found in the lobby of Marion Knott Studios or on the Dodge College Instagram account.