Mark Duplass initially hesitated to make a Sasquatch documentary due to the potential for exploitation. However, after hearing a compelling story about a crime in Northern California that seemed to involve Sasquatch, he became intrigued. The story opened up a broader discussion about alternative facts and the current cultural climate, leading him to embrace the project with respect and fascination.
Mark Duplass created 'The Low Files' with his sons as a mix of Scooby-Doo and Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown. The show involved investigating paranormal activities, allowing him to explore these stories with his sons and create a unique, intimate connection through shared experiences.
Mark Duplass felt that the current Hollywood system was too focused on fast-paced, high-stakes content, leaving little room for nuanced, slower-paced stories. He wanted to create a show that respects the complex inner lives of teenagers and offers a meditative, connecting experience for families. When traditional studios rejected his script, he decided to fund and produce it independently, taking a significant financial risk.
Mark Duplass and his wife became empty nesters when their children moved out. Initially, it was a difficult transition, especially sending the first son to college. However, they found the new chapter to be great, as they have more time for each other and themselves, maintaining a close relationship with their children.
Mark Duplass is open to believing in paranormal stories and finds them fascinating, while his son Matthew, a lawyer, is more analytical and skeptical. This difference in approach creates both tension and a unique dynamic in their shared experiences, such as their investigation of the wood ape in 'The Low Files'.
Mark Duplass believes that the new independent TV model could help create more diverse and outlier content, much like the independent film movement of the 80s and 90s. By funding and producing shows independently, creators can bypass the homogenized development system and offer unique, refreshing stories that might not otherwise see the light of day.
Actor and filmmaker Mark Duplass (The Morning Show) joins Rob Lowe to discuss working with family, their mutual friend Jennifer Aniston, searching for Bigfoot, and his new shows, “Out There: Crimes of the Paranormal” and “Penelope.” Plus, Mark asks Rob for advice about empty-nester anxiety.
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Note: this interview was recorded on 9/23/2024.