Interview with Family Guy Director Zac Moncrief

W00t! Zac Moncrief, one of the uber-talented directors of Family Guy, generously agreed after I Google-stalked him asked him to give me an interview about his life as a Family Guy director, behind the scenes info, and who the most annoying person on the set is (I’m guessing Mila Kunis? Maybe?). Here’s the interview in all its glory; we get a sneek peek at new episodes, some season 6 spoilers, and more! Enjoy!

Could you tell our readers a bit about your background? (only the really cool bits)

Not sure how much of this is cool, but…

I came out to California in 1989 from NEW JERSEY to go to the best animation school in the world, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). I struggled trying to keep up with the amazing talent that surrounded me for 3 years before finally landing a job with the now defunct “Turner Feature Animation” studio. Their probably know critically for the film “Cats Don’t Dance”.

It was during this time that I sold my first Short/Pilot to Cartoon Network, and when I first met Seth MacFarlane. He was doing a short called “Larry and Steve”. It was very similar to Brian and Peter from the Griffin’s, so, I’m assuming that was the birth of Family Guy. He and I then worked a tiny bit together on a show called “Johnny Bravo” for Cartoon Network. Blah blah blah.., you said interesting, huh?

Well… besides working at the major studios on various projects (Disney, Nickelodeon, etc.), I wound up here at Fox, working with Seth again. I guess since I have that little bit of a past with Seth (back when we were both nobodies), it allows me to have a simpler time dealing with and connecting with him. I’m still constantly working on my own show ideas, and still hope to create some more pilots in the future. Besides that, I have an awesome wife and 2 amazing daughters (One of which is keeping me up at all hours of the night, not letting me get much sleep, crying all the time, and the other 2 are my daughters… just kidding..)

How did you get roped into doing Family Guy? Bribery, tired of Seth MacFarlane stalking you, etc.?

I was lucky enough to be asked to come over here with a friend/coworker from Disney named Chuck Klein. He was my Director for the first couple of shows I did in season 4.

What is your favorite Family Guy character and why?

I used to say Brian, because I can drink the hell outta everything, but, I guess I’ll have to be obvious and say Stewie. No one else on this show can make me laugh as much as he does.

Favorite episode?

It would have to be one of my Episodes coming up this Fall/Winter. It’s called “Barely Legal”. It’s an Ep that actually gives Meg some good screen time as well as a great “relationship” with Brian… ok.. more like an “Obsession” with Brian.

What’s a typical day in the life of a director on Family Guy? I’m guessing loads of crumpets and foot massages.

Well, unless you consider the free BJ’s from my Assistant Director, I guess my day is like everyone else’s. Oooops.. is this rated G??? You know what, check out the new DVD set due to come out this fall and I believe there will be an entire section all about what we do as Director’s here on Family Guy.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Family Guy in this upcoming season?

STAYING FUNNY! It’s hard to be the ones that raise the bar, because now everyone expects the writers and staff to keep it there ALWAYS.

Have you asked Seth Green yet about that fantastically dorky Nerf commercial he made yet in the ‘80s? With the Flock of Seagulls hair?

I just saw that on youtube the other day.. GREAT! Hey, don’t forget Seth is in “RADIO DAYS”. Great film, fun bit part for him

Fill in the blank: I like being a director on Family Guy because ______.

THE F-ING CASH!!!! Ok, really, it’s because I love working on a show that no matter who I bump into, 99% of them know the show, love the show, and are excited that I work on it.

What makes it fun for you to come to work every day?

The cash.. oh I already said that…hmm.. knowing that (for the most part) everything I’m working on is in someway going to help make 20 gazillion people take a break from their lives for 22 minutes and laugh their asses off. What an amazing thing to be part of.

Any spoilers you’d like to tell us about?

Well, you should already know about Meg and Brian getting to make out. In case you didn’t know, Meg comments on it later in the Episode and says “She never knew just how Flat and Wide (Brian’s) tongue was”.. Let’s see.. anything else…I guess that’s it for now.. I’ll see if there’s something else I feel like sharing later.

What are some of the new characters that will be on Family Guy this season?

R.J., another wonderful Mike Henry voice… uhhh…ummm….I’ll get back to you on that.

Who’s the most fun person to work with at the Family Guy?

Perry Zombolas. He is one of the A.D.’s here on the show, and whenever he’s bursts into the room, he always has my A.D. (Jeff Stewart) laughing our asses off.

Who’s the most annoying. Come on. Nobody reads this blog anyway. You can tell.

Jeff Stewart…hahhahahaha, just kidding, he’s my AD, and he’s wonderful. Most annoying… gotta be … yeah right!!!!!! Don’t you realize, this industry is WAY too small to make enemies?

If there were one thing you would add or change to Family Guy, what would it be?

I would love for some of us (director’s) to have a little more say in the scripts. Sometimes, we see problem spots, or gag potential, or gag problems way in advance, but because of the schedule and pace that we’re creating these, there’s not much time for us to get involved there. Plus, I understand that there are probably to many chefs in the kitchen on these scripts already, but No one really gets closer to these scripts than the Director. Ok.. Seth does, but besides him… I’m overseeing every shot, all the acting, the cutting, the pacing, the designs the color, etc etc etc.. and sometimes I feel we could add a bit to just help these get to that next level (even if it’s just a tiny bit better).

Anything else you’d like to add?

 Just that we are all trying to bring you the best we can with all the limitations we deal with. I’ll tell ya, sometimes the table reads have us laughing so hard that tears are flowing, but, unfortunately they can be deemed to much for tv, so they get cut. Sit back ,and get that Tivo ready for next season, because there are some good ones coming.

Thanks so much, Zac – we sure appreciate your time!

Tags: zac moncrief, family guy, family guy interview, family guy behind the scenes