I'm Jordan VanDina, I wrote and directed "It's a Wonderful Binge" the Christmas sequel on Hulu where all drugs are legal for one day but I started my career on Reddit posting fake scripts. AMA!

Submitted by shrimptooth t3_zt26oa in IAmA

Got my start on Reddit and Twitter posting scripts like "Fast Nein: The Fast & The Fuhrer" and "Lord of the Fyre Festival." I wrote the first Binge and directed this one!

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Proof: https://imgur.com/a/6PAvE0V

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Xuravious t1_j1bboju wrote

I dunno I have a hard time enjoying the "everyone gets wasted" trope after dealing with someone being an alcoholic. Is this for laughs or is there more to it?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bbwwo wrote

Replying to Xuravious (#1,016,023)

Since this is a sequel I'd definitely say the "everybody getting wasted" trope takes a backseat to the characters in this one. It's mostly about them trying to avoid the binge holiday and getting sucked into random shenanigans. But it's definitely a broad teen comedy.

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IAmAModBot t1_j1bbx53 wrote

For more AMAs on this topic, subscribe to r/IAmA_Director, and check out our other topic-specific AMA subreddits here.

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mgrace17 t1_j1bdb3p wrote

What software do you use for your screenplays?

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VisitRomanticPangaea t1_j1bio7p wrote

I don’t have Hulu. Is there a chance your film will end up on another platform?

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justSkinAndBone t1_j1bjh9y wrote

What advice would you give for someone who has some scripts under their belt and looking to get their foot in the door in the biz?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bk7lp wrote

Replying to Isabellaasian (#1,016,580)

So many classics to choose from. My mainstream favorite is Christmas Vacation.

My alt answer to be cool is KISS KISS BANG BANG.

And my odd favorite is "Just Friends." The line "he's from jersey he skis in his jeans" has been in my head for 20 years.

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bklvp wrote

Replying to justSkinAndBone (#1,016,717)

Don't be afraid to put some of your stuff out there and reach out to anyone and everyone. I got my start by posting scripts on Twitter and Reddit and DM'ing writers I admired and managers who repped writers I admired.

You'll get 400 no's and 99% of people ignoring you but there are the people that will help you throughout your career. Jon Hurwitz who made Cobra Kai and Harold and Kumar responded to me when I was 21 and I still work with him 15 years later and he's been insanely supportive throughout my career. You never know who will like your stuff!

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cadencehz t1_j1blr3m wrote

What were some of your favorite bars and restaurants while in Syracuse, besides Dinosaur BBQ?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bmnmv wrote

Replying to cadencehz (#1,016,945)

So many incredible ones. My hotel was next to Pastabilities so I had the riggies there 4x a week at least. The York was pretty great too. A little farther out in Liverpool my favorite bar is the Retreat, also incredible chicken riggies.

We just had the premiere after-party at Three Lives arcade bar and that was awesome food and games.

Overall everyone working in the bars and restaurants in Syracuse was so nice and supportive of the movies, it's really awesome to spend months at a time there. And I'm originally from Long Island so I'm more comfortable in NY anyway.

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rndname t1_j1bmxnp wrote

How high do you have to be to write stuff like this?

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CauliflowerMinimum44 t1_j1bo9pl wrote

How long did it take you to write your first script?

What kind of schedule do you put yourself on when writing?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1boanm wrote

Replying to rndname (#1,017,072)

It's a good question! One I'm asked all the time. I actually don't do drugs at all. I smoked weed a bit in high school and college but other than that I'm mostly a Bud Light and Coke Zero kind of guy.

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bole5 wrote

Replying to CauliflowerMinimum44 (#1,017,228)

How I got my start was on a website I started called www.WeekendScripts.com where I would write a full script in a weekend and put it online. They weren't necessarily great but they would be based on news stories so people would be like, "how the fuck is their script about CURRENT NEWS STORY already?" And that got me a lot of notoriety for my speed.

Normally if I'm writing a script that I'm getting paid for I really like just getting a first draft out in a few weeks, knowing that I'm going to go back and change a million things. For me having the full draft in front of me is when I can start really analyzing what's working and what definitely isn't.

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Fit-Plant-9661 t1_j1bsdgh wrote

Will the character nick weiss be back for an appearance in the second binge?

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Marbla t1_j1bt564 wrote

Hey dude. We’ve worked together on a few things. WWDD and the 24 Hour Trevor Moore talk show.

You’ve obviously spent a ton of time on sets as a creative. What challenges in transitioning to directing surprised you?

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PeanutSalsa t1_j1btuzj wrote

What do you mean by "posting fake scripts"?

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Fit-Plant-9661 t1_j1bv8j8 wrote

One more question, have you ever consider remaking west side story set in the 1980s but calling it West Side Corey were the two gangs are Corey Haim and Corey Feldman supporters respectively but cannot agree on which actor is better?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bwz0m wrote

Replying to Marbla (#1,017,659)

Hey!! What’s up! WWDD was my first paid writing job ever. Aside from answering questions 18 hours a day I was surprised how all consuming directing was to my life. With writing I could jump between projects with directing I was only focusing on one thing for about a year straight.

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1bx3yf wrote

Replying to PeanutSalsa (#1,017,715)

I would post scripts based on IP I didn’t own. Like the Fast and Furious and Batman.I knew these scripts could never actually get made but I used them as calling cards for my writing. I figured if I could go viral I would have a shot at getting staffed on a show, and that eventually happened!

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PeanutSalsa t1_j1bykwk wrote

What are some of your favorite spoof movies?

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Macemore t1_j1bznnr wrote

Why Coke Zero and not other forms of Coke, like Diet Coke?

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hotmessexpress44 t1_j1c4h2e wrote

Would you rather fight 10 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?

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HaikuBotStalksMe t1_j1c4ja7 wrote

You should watch Purge. It asks the question, "what if crime was legal for one night?"

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Dylan_Dylan_Dylan t1_j1c5ar4 wrote

First, I must say it was the Kirkland shirt that drew me in. Second, is this about binging on hard drugs? I am in recovery and have done so on all of them and would probably find this entertaining in a counterintuitive and non-triggering way. The titles in your comments are intriguing also. Anyway I'm gonna check this out.

Keep it Kirkland.

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Savings-Flan7829 t1_j1c5qm3 wrote

All drugs were legal in Ireland for a day a few years ago. Did you get any inspiration from that?

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YouMeanMetalGear t1_j1c6nno wrote

Is being a director as satisfying and fulfilling as you thought it would be?

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Fit-Plant-9661 t1_j1c6pyn wrote

Replying to saulfineman (#1,018,720)

Haimheads would not agree with that but eve everyone’s entitled to their opinion.Haim was in silver bullett with Gary busey that movie is greatest. Feldman had a good run but I don’t think you can put silver bullet up against any movie except here comes the boom with Kevin James

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CalvinDehaze t1_j1c7492 wrote

WHY CAN’T I SEE THE ANIMANIACS CELL I GAVE YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING ON YOUR WALL???? AND WHEN IS THE POOL WARMING PARTY??? AND HOW DO I TURN OFF THE CAPS LOCK KEY???

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spacesoulboi t1_j1c7ee5 wrote

Do you have any other fake scripts That are still out there?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1c7ktk wrote

Replying to YouMeanMetalGear (#1,018,807)

It is! Aside from the critics that wrote that they loathe me and want me dead it’s been really great! Getting to see it go from a blank page to something on the front page of Hulu is really wild. Also getting to see it in a theater of people is awesome, really need more comedies in theaters. It’s so fun!

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mclair t1_j1c8972 wrote

What's it like to wear a Kirkland shirt at LAX?

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Klowdcity t1_j1ca98d wrote

When you start out do you just send your scripts to everyone? How do you avoid having your ideas stolen?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1cc0px wrote

Replying to Klowdcity (#1,019,114)

I’ve never been afraid of having my ideas stolen because I feel like at this point there is such a massive digital trail of where and who you send it to that it would be pretty hard to steal. (Also my ideas aren’t that good) I’m sure it still happens but I’d rather take the risk and send it out then fear getting it stolen. The reward is definitely greater than the risk!

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Haandspritten t1_j1cc12v wrote

I’m a bit late to The party, but is it available in Europe (Denmark) too? No Hulu here

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CanisSirius t1_j1cc132 wrote

Hi, 3-part question: How did you break into Directing? How long did it take you to do that? Have you found being the Director of your work was the only way to ensure your creative vision remains intact from script to screen, free from unnecessary rewrites?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1ccj3i wrote

Replying to CanisSirius (#1,019,245)

I had directed a bunch of comedy shorts through the years and I was on set everyday for Binge 1 shadowing the director Jeremy Garelick. So when it came time to do the second one he really went to bat for me and told Hulu I could handle it. They were super supportive and let me go as crazy as I wanted. And if you watch the movie you’ll see it’s pretty wacky! I think directing definitely helps maintain the MOST control, but there are still notes from the studio and the actors and producers but ultimately you do have the final say in most decision making. As long as you aren’t some kind of ego maniac jerk! And with a movie like this I think funniest idea wins out. I was willing to hear any and all pitches.

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1cd5t5 wrote

Replying to Fit-Plant-9661 (#1,017,824)

The short answer is yes of course. The long answer is when I first moved to LA I lived at the Oakwoods which is filled with child stars hoping to get on a show for pilot season. My neighbor was Corey Haim and I saw him at the convenience store in the complex 3 different times buying D BATTERIES. And if I saw it 3x imagine how many times he was actually buying them. I wonder everyday what he was doing with those. Boom box? That’s what my movie would be about. Thank you.

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CanisSirius t1_j1ce6zs wrote

Replying to CanisSirius (#1,019,245)

Thanks for the response! Man, what a journey that must've been finally getting your big break! As a screenwriter, what would you say are some ways (practical or even impractical) that I can help Directors see and be inspired by my virtual shit-ton of very specific creative vision I have for my screenplays without being the annoying writer on set? Can notes from me include visual CGI samples I whipped up in my animation app at home? Or would I just be better off trying to become a Director? lol

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MartinSchou t1_j1ct1ri wrote

Isn't this just a different take on "The Purge"? Following the people who binge on drugs rather than going for violence?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1ctbkv wrote

Replying to MartinSchou (#1,020,249)

Yeah it’s essentially a comedic take on the Purge. It’s the fun side of the Purge! Unless your idea of fun is murdering people in the street then I guess the Purge is the fun Purge for you.

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radicz t1_j1cw63y wrote

Replying to LeVampirate (#1,017,790)

But.. beer with coke is delicious, one of my favorite summertime drinks.

Edit: to all the butthurt beer gatekeepers, just try it. It's a popular drink in some countries.

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jambokk t1_j1cwwj9 wrote

The Irish government accidentally legalized a rake of drugs for one day a few years back. Was this any inspiration for your story?

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HalpTheFan t1_j1cyvpw wrote

Replying to shrimptooth (#1,017,256)

This is so good to hear. I challenged myself this year to write at least two scripts by writing a page a night - anything else you'd recommend to improve my writing speed or just keeping on track during rough months?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1cz791 wrote

Replying to HalpTheFan (#1,020,713)

I’d say my biggest advice always is to just finish. Even if you think it’s a hot pile of shit. I think a lot of people get stuck in a trap of trying to perfect the first 20 pages and are too hard on themselves. Once you have a full 3 act script you really start to see what the movie is. It’s also important to remember that if you’re lucky enough to sell something every single step of the way there will be notes. Studio, producer, director, actors, so the draft will probably unrecognizable by the time it gets to the screen.

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1czeao wrote

Replying to HalpTheFan (#1,020,720)

Finished draft. I’ve sold around 5 scripts at this point and they’ve all been written first. Sure it’s annoying to do the work up front for free but once you have the script people know what it is and I think it avoids years of development when it’s coming from just a logline or a pitch.

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2plus2equalscats t1_j1d5kc1 wrote

Replying to SMRAintBad (#1,016,145)

Two immediate family members are alcoholics and I dabble with my own addiction issues. I found both were hilarious and enjoyable. Everything is “over the top” enough that you’re not really going to be led down the darker pain of addiction thought path.

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2plus2equalscats t1_j1d65wz wrote

Bf and I loved both films. Great laughs and silliness that we had been missing. Suck it down pipe.

How is it working with Eduardo Franco? I’ve enjoyed his acting in things. And how did Danny Trejo get cast?

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1d6uj7 wrote

Replying to 2plus2equalscats (#1,021,276)

Thank you!! Eduardo Franco is really awesome. He’s obviously incredibly funny but also an insanely good actor. His instincts were always dead on and I never had to tell him much. Also we bond over our lives for 90s nostalgia video games, toys and movies which is the most important.

I wrote the role for Danny Trejo and somehow he agreed to do it. Also one of the nicest guys ever. He gave a big speech at the end of shooting and said it was the most fun he’s ever had on a movie shoot.

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ShvoogieCookie t1_j1dne33 wrote

How many unusable scripts did you write till you finally got a gig?

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SanguinePar t1_j1e6yb0 wrote

Replying to radicz (#1,020,481)

I don't fancy it, but people do drink beer with lemonade, aka Shandy (not sure if that's a common name for it outside the UK?) so you never know, maybe coke and lager is where it's at?

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CINHelloChess t1_j1e72gk wrote

Replying to radicz (#1,020,481)

It literally is popular in many countries, over here it's called "diesel". I have no idea why you're getting downvoted. It actually makes drinking harsher beers pleasant to me.

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BurtnBurger t1_j1ed3jx wrote

Love it! Would you be down to come on our podcast as a guest sometime and talk about your movie and film career? 🤔

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eggzilla534 t1_j1egd04 wrote

How come Skyler Gisondo and Vince Vaughn didn't return for the sequel? I might have missed it but I don't think either of their characters were mentioned.

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BestCatEva t1_j1eurjc wrote

Is that Amy Sedaris in the background?! Love her and her brother.

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BestCatEva t1_j1evo7h wrote

Replying to 2plus2equalscats (#1,021,242)

I don’t even drink Coke Zero and this made me mad.

And during Covid, some idiot decided to stop making Coke Zero Vanilla. Now I have to drink sugar. I live in GA now and there are days I think about hoofing down there and making this blasphemy known. But, you know, traffic.

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MikeHfuhruhurr t1_j1ewqa2 wrote

Replying to BestCatEva (#1,027,854)

> And during Covid, some idiot decided to stop making Coke Zero Vanilla.

I know a little backstory on this because I went through a similar thing with Sprite Zero.

At the height of the pandemic, supply chain issues caused a shortage in aluminum. So soda companies limited their production to the basic formulas to meet that demand and cut production of the others.

They slowly introduced the others back into society, but Coke Zero Vanilla might be lost forever.

/u/shrimptooth, do you have any insight on the aluminum shortage?

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PornoPaul t1_j1exhcj wrote

Replying to shrimptooth (#1,017,049)

Im OOTL - I'm assuming Christmas Binge was filmed in Syracuse? Where are you from originally? And, next time go one city over for some great wings and white hots in Rochester. We're better (Sorry Syracuse)

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1eyjdd wrote

Replying to PornoPaul (#1,028,007)

I’m from Ronkonkoma long Island originally! But Jeremy Garelick bought a high school in Syracuse to shoot comedies there. So all the production is based out of there. But I do love wings so I’ll be sure to hit Rochester for Binge 3!

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Buddahrific t1_j1f46qo wrote

Replying to radicz (#1,020,481)

I tried it but didn't have beer so I substituted milk, and I didn't have coke so I substituted soy sauce. A bit on the salty side but not bad overall. I'm going to start recommending this cocktail myself.

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jkinman t1_j1f7rn4 wrote

Do people actually think prohibiting drugs stop people from using them?

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Sadiesxt t1_j1fdu2i wrote

Favorite cure for writers block?

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thafrogs t1_j1fjqy7 wrote

What is the most popular drug in your world?

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radicz t1_j1fk5fz wrote

Replying to Loves_Semi-Colons (#1,030,007)

This varies a bit by taste - I'd say usually it is something between 1 part beer to 1 part coke up to 2 parts beer to 1 part coke.

It does make a small difference whether you pour the beer or the coke first:

Beer first - less foaming

Coke first - they mix better

Results may vary based on your chosen beers, so just experiment a bit with ratio and pour if you like the taste.

Also don't let it sit for too long, else the drink might start to flake a bit - still safe for consumption, but it's best to drink it freshly poured. (Again this might vary a bit based on your beers)

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shrimptooth OP t1_j1fkovy wrote

Replying to Sadiesxt (#1,029,819)

I always like to start something new. It takes the pressure off of the last thing I was working on and let’s my brain go in a totally different direction. Then when I get stuck on the new thing I jump back!

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grizwa t1_j1hmxbd wrote

in some ways i feel like i should do an AmA myself as ive never quite clearly seen that arbitrary legal line, with the advent of the dark web etc theres been easy access to just about anything for over a decade now and i went forth and tried just about everything (after learning about it) ive tried literally hundreds of different chemicals

now to me i could only ever read so much before i had to know myself, especially with drugs im a great believer in the fact you just have to feel it, you cant explain it, my best analogy for is is if i asked you to describe the colour blue to someone who was born without eyes

you mention below youve minimal experience with drugs yourself but while researching were there none you became curious to try yourself?

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