Damon and Affleck: Partnership, Evolving Industry, and Timeless Craft - Episode Hero Image

Damon and Affleck: Partnership, Evolving Industry, and Timeless Craft

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend · · Listen to Original Episode →
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TL;DR

  • Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's early career shared bank account, with the code "RIVER P", was exclusively for auditions, video games, or buying beer, highlighting their focused ambition before fame.
  • Clint Eastwood's directorial approach emphasizes efficiency, often requiring only one take, which can be challenging for actors accustomed to more takes, as seen with Matt Damon's experience on "Invictus."
  • The Bourne franchise's premise of identity evasion is rendered obsolete by modern biometric airport security, where iris scans and facial recognition make a ghost identity nearly impossible to maintain.
  • Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's enduring creative partnership, solidified by their shared studio and recent collaborations like "Air" and "The Rip," stems from a desire to work with people they genuinely enjoy.
  • The film "The Rip" uses authentic police jargon and depicts a unit that hunts both drug money and the cash itself, showcasing a specialized law enforcement tactic previously unknown to many.
  • The podcast's self-deprecating humor, exemplified by the fan-made sign memorializing Conan's early apartment, reflects a cultural appreciation for acknowledging humble beginnings and embracing personal growth.
  • Chris Nolan's deliberate avoidance of smartphones underscores a commitment to preserving focused thinking time, contrasting with the instant gratification and attention-colonizing nature of modern digital devices.

Deep Dive

Matt Damon reflects on the early days of his career, emphasizing the value of shared experiences and the evolution of the entertainment industry. He highlights how early struggles and collaborations, like sharing a bank account with Ben Affleck and their shared admiration for River Phoenix, forged a deep connection that continues to inform their professional lives. This foundational partnership has allowed them to navigate Hollywood's demands with a focus on genuine collaboration and enjoyment, a stark contrast to the intense, often isolating pressure of their youth.

The core implication is that sustained creative endeavors benefit immensely from strong interpersonal foundations. Damon illustrates this by recounting how his experiences with Affleck, including writing "Good Will Hunting" and later forming a production company, underscore the importance of working with people you genuinely like and trust. This sentiment extends to their current film, "The Rip," where their established dynamic lends an authentic tension and depth to their characters. Damon suggests that as artists mature, the emphasis shifts from individual ambition to the joy of shared creation, a philosophy that underpins their current professional approach.

The conversation also touches upon the changing landscape of acting and filmmaking. Damon notes how the rise of self-taped auditions and the increasing reliance on technology in film production, like iris scans replacing passports in airports, fundamentally alter the nature of espionage and identity in narratives like the Bourne series. He contrasts this with the deliberate, often arduous artistic process of filmmakers like Clint Eastwood, who prioritizes efficiency and authenticity. This highlights a broader tension between the rapid pace of technological advancement and the timeless craft of storytelling, suggesting that while tools change, the core principles of dedication and genuine human connection remain paramount.

Action Items

  • Audit personal productivity: Identify 3-5 time-wasting activities and implement 2-3 mitigation strategies (e.g., time blocking, task batching).
  • Analyze personal communication patterns: Track 5-10 recurring conversations or messages to identify areas for increased clarity or efficiency.
  • Create a personal knowledge management system: Define 3 required sections for capturing insights and implement a 1-week review cycle.
  • Evaluate personal learning approach: Identify 2-3 core skills and develop a 1-month plan for focused skill development.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"hi my name is matt damon and i feel good about being conan o'brien's friend i was encouraging you beforehand really go after me and you chose to be a kind man in the most anodyne answer fall is here hear the yell back to school ring the bell brand new shoes walking blues climb the fence books and pens i can tell that we are gonna be friends 'cause i can tell that we are gonna be friends"

Matt Damon opens by expressing his positive feelings about his friendship with Conan O'Brien, referencing a moment where Conan encouraged him to be critical, but Damon chose kindness. This quote sets a warm and friendly tone for the conversation, highlighting Damon's amiable nature.

"i just did what peter sellers does as clouseau and it's one of my favorite things but i wasn't doing it on purpose he walks into an interrogation room and he says you know because there's been a kidnapping and he says i'm here you know to just investigate the murder and someone goes murder and he says who said murder and they said you said murder and he said i don't say murder yeah and i've always loved that it's such a funny thing and i just did it for real"

Conan O'Brien describes an unintentional comedic moment where he mimicked a Peter Sellers character, revealing a humorous anecdote about his own absentmindedness. This quote illustrates Conan's self-awareness and his ability to find humor in unexpected situations, even when he's the subject.

"so we had a bay bank a shared bay banks account that we would put money in that we had made professionally so if we got any part like that extra work for instance you get you know 50 bucks or 100 bucks depending if it was a union job you get 100 and that money would go into the our shared account and that account we could only use for auditions in new york where you know we take the bus or or back there they had you know the pan am shuttle or whatever the train get down to new york you know walk in you know which you know took however long five hours to get down there you know you walk into the place somewhere in midtown and you know in three minutes they're like okay thanks which we used to call it getting okay thanks because you know you go there and beat your chest and pull your hair out and sob and they go okay thanks and you're done and then you go all the way back to boston"

Matt Damon recounts the early days of his career with Ben Affleck, detailing their shared bank account used for auditions and the often-disappointing reality of those early "okay thanks" auditions. This quote provides insight into the financial and emotional struggles of aspiring actors and the shared ambition between Damon and Affleck.

"i don't wear flannel a lot that is true it's nice i should wear flannel a little more often uh we're in the winter months now which in la means it's not 72 it's 71 degrees so sometimes flannel is necessary i do i mean come on that's not something i want to talk about i want to see my breath at night i want it to be cold you never go with me on this but i like to wear layers and i was just on the east coast recently doing some work there and i was wearing these sweaters and i was i was dressed like an adult i was wearing a pea coat and uh i was walking around in it and i had sweaters and i would sometimes wear an overcoat and i'd look like a gentleman and then i come back to la and it's time to put on my hoofer ted t shirt"

Conan O'Brien expresses his preference for colder weather and layering clothing, contrasting his East Coast attire with the warmer climate of Los Angeles. This quote highlights Conan's playful disdain for LA weather and his desire for a more traditional winter experience.

"and and uh yeah i mean not uh i forget why i started that story but well it does have an end this coffee is terrific by the way if you want more we can get you some they say whenever someone writes their big great american novel and it's a big smash and everyone thinks it's genius they have nine other ones in their drawer that they wrote before that and i'm a big believer in you just have to do time to me the process doesn't change like you look at your career or ben's and say like oh you've clicked off you guys have clicked off every single box that you would want to check but still when you show up there's work to be done and you have to be a little scared and there are scenes where you think i didn't get this i gotta try it again"

Matt Damon reflects on the creative process, emphasizing the importance of time, perseverance, and the willingness to be scared and try again, even after achieving significant success. This quote underscores Damon's belief in continuous effort and the ongoing nature of artistic development, regardless of past accomplishments.

"i was sitting around the other day and my buddy matt myra texted me a picture that you might be interested in if we could throw it up on the sure oh my god what is that this is a sign that's posted outside one of your former residences the cochran avenue apartment did you know about this i didn't where is this it's in la right yes i remember this apartment of course i do this was a formative part of my life when i was uh first getting started in la uh greg daniels and i our first place he was my writing partner he's gone on to many great things he and i share an apartment in brentwood first then we realized we need to move out of the west side and be with the young people because both of us were just desperate to meet anyone our age and have social lives so we both moved into hollywood and i found an apartment a friend of mine cynthia stevenson actress a very talented uh incredible woman she said hey conan i'm leaving my apartment do you want to take it over and it was on cockran avenue so i moved into it was a first floor apartment this would have been 1986 i think i think i lived there '86 '87 '88 i didn't go out and shop for any furniture the only thing i"

Conan O'Brien reacts with surprise and amusement to a fan-made sign posted outside his former apartment on Cochran Avenue, recalling his early days in Los Angeles. This quote highlights Conan's nostalgic reflection on his past and his appreciation for the fan's creative gesture.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "Unforgiven" by Clint Eastwood - Referenced as an example of a film where the original script was superior to later revisions.

Articles & Papers

  • "The Beatles: Get Back" (Documentary) - Mentioned as inspiration for starting a production company with a focus on collaborative joy.

People

  • Matt Damon - Guest on the podcast, actor known for "Good Will Hunting," "The Martian," and "The Bourne Identity."
  • Ben Affleck - Actor and director, co-founder of a production company with Matt Damon, co-star in "Air" and "The Rip."
  • Clint Eastwood - Director, known for his efficient directing style, particularly on "Invictus."
  • Peter Sellers - Actor, mentioned for his comedic portrayal of Inspector Clouseau.
  • Flannery O'Connor - Author, discussed as a topic of conversation between Matt Damon and Conan O'Brien early in their acquaintance.
  • River Phoenix - Actor, admired by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, used as the code for their shared bank account.
  • Liam Neeson - Actor, mentioned for his role in "The Good Mother" and his inability to tell time.
  • Tom Hanks - Actor, mentioned as unable to read.
  • Francis Ford Coppola - Director, known for his method of using theater games to foster vulnerability on set.
  • Morgan Freeman - Actor, mentioned as being present during the filming of "Invictus."
  • John Voight - Actor, mentioned as part of the cast of a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
  • James Caan - Actor, mentioned as part of the cast of a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
  • Tim Monick - Dialect coach, credited for helping Matt Damon with his South African accent for "Invictus."
  • Franca Potente - Actress, co-star in "The Bourne Identity," shared advice on running for camera.
  • Thomas - Director of "Run Lola Run," advised Franca Potente on running for camera.
  • Usain Bolt - Athlete, referenced as an example of someone who runs exceptionally well.
  • Tom Cruise - Actor, mentioned in the context of running for camera.
  • Steven Yeun - Actor, co-star in "The Rip," friend of Matt Damon.
  • Teyonah Parris - Actress, co-star in "The Rip."
  • Kyle Chandler - Actor, co-star in "The Rip," known for his role as "Coach."
  • Joe Carnahan - Writer and director, wrote and directed "The Rip," based on real experiences.
  • Shohei Ohtani - Athlete, used as an example of focusing on overall achievement rather than individual misses.
  • Pedro Martinez - Baseball player, mentioned in an anecdote about a Red Sox game.
  • Jack Nicholson - Actor, featured in an anecdote about attending a Red Sox game.
  • Lauren Michaels - Producer, invited Conan O'Brien to a Red Sox game.
  • Randy Clumpert - Friend of Conan O'Brien, gave him a life-sized cutout of Miss America.
  • George Meyer - Simpsons writer, offered advice on career longevity.
  • Greg Daniels - Writing partner of Conan O'Brien, shared an apartment in Los Angeles.
  • Cynthia Stevenson - Actress, offered Conan O'Brien her apartment in Los Angeles.
  • Robert Iwick - Director, known for "Spencer for Hire," which filmed at Conan O'Brien's high school.
  • Pam - Mother of Conan O'Brien's wife, worked in child development and as a therapist.
  • Kelly Ripa - Host, mentioned for her podcast "Let's Talk Off Camera."
  • Michelle Obama - Former First Lady, mentioned as a guest on Kelly Ripa's podcast.
  • Alec Baldwin - Actor, mentioned as a guest on Kelly Ripa's podcast.
  • Jeremy Renner - Actor, mentioned as a guest on Kelly Ripa's podcast.

Organizations & Institutions

  • LinkedIn - Social media platform, mentioned for its effectiveness in B2B marketing and advertising.
  • Granger - Company, mentioned as a trusted partner for purchasing managers in manufacturing.
  • Bay Banks - Bank, previously held a shared account for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
  • Pan Am - Airline, previously offered a shuttle service to New York.
  • Amazon Pharmacy - Pharmacy service, mentioned for delivering medication.
  • T-Mobile - Mobile carrier, offers travel perks and benefits like Netflix.
  • HBO Max - Streaming service, home to the series "The Pit."
  • Netflix - Streaming service, mentioned for the movie "The Rip."
  • CIA - Intelligence agency, mentioned in the context of "The Bourne Identity."
  • Red Sox - Baseball team, featured in an anecdote about attending a game.
  • Yankees - Baseball team, featured in an anecdote about attending a game.
  • Saturday Night Live (SNL) - Television show, where Conan O'Brien worked as a writer.
  • The Simpsons - Television show, mentioned in relation to Conan O'Brien's career.
  • Zoom - Children's television show, produced in Boston.
  • Amazon - Company, mentioned in relation to packaging.

Websites & Online Resources

  • linkedin.com/conan - Website, mentioned for LinkedIn ads.
  • granger.com - Website, mentioned for purchasing supplies.
  • apple.com/applewatch - Website, for information on Apple Watch.
  • ebay.com - E-commerce website, for finding various items.
  • t-mobile.com/magentastatus - Website, for T-Mobile plan information.
  • hbo.com - Website, for information on HBO Max content.

Podcasts & Audio

  • Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend - Podcast, the show being transcribed.
  • Team Coco Hotline - Phone number, for leaving messages for the podcast.
  • SiriusXM - Satellite radio service, offering a free trial with sign-up.
  • Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa - Podcast, hosted by Kelly Ripa.

Other Resources

  • B-Side Lounge - Bar, where Matt Damon and Conan O'Brien first had a significant conversation.
  • The Rip - Movie, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
  • Air - Movie, directed by Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon.
  • The Last Duel - Movie, written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
  • Invictus - Movie, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Matt Damon.
  • The Bourne Identity - Movie, starring Matt Damon.
  • The Martian - Movie, starring Matt Damon.
  • Good Will Hunting - Movie, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
  • The Good Mother - Movie, in which Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were extras.
  • The Pit - Television series, mentioned as being available on HBO Max.
  • Apple Watch - Smartwatch, promoted for fitness and habit building.
  • Cochran Avenue Apartment - Former residence of Conan O'Brien, memorialized by a fan.
  • Miss America - Beauty pageant, a life-sized cutout was part of Conan O'Brien's apartment decor.
  • Global Entry - Trusted traveler program, mentioned for simplifying airport security.
  • The Beatles: Get Back - Documentary, mentioned as inspiration for starting a production company with a focus on collaborative joy.

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