<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Warning: This article contains spoilers for "<keyword id="10217071" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="the-queens-gambit">The Queen's Gambit</keyword>."</strong></li><li><strong>Jolene, one of the only Black characters on the <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> show, falls into a series of <keyword id="10406141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="racist-tropes">racist tropes</keyword>.</strong></li><li><strong>Jolene's sole purpose is to serve the emotional and financial needs of the white protagonist, Beth Harmon.</strong></li><li><strong>"The Queen's Gambit" is not Netflix's only original series to mishandle its limited cast of BIPOC characters.</strong></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/interesting-things-about-the-queens-gambit-fun-facts">"The Queen's Gambit"</a> is one of Netflix's newest <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-shows-netflix-queens-gambit-a-word-of-mouth-hit-2020-11">hit</a> series and the latest to have a diversity problem. </p><p>Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, the seven-episode show follows Elizabeth "Beth" Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) navigating the intersections of being a chess wunderkind while dealing with loss, addiction, and burdening expectations - <a href="https://www.insider.com/shows-to-watch-after-the-queens-gambit-similar-series">all while being a woman in the 1960s</a>.</p><p>So far, "The Queen's Gambit" has mostly been critically acclaimed, with many calling it "<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/10/28/the-queens-gambit-review-one-best-shows-2020/3753873001/">one of the best shows of 2020</a>."  </p><p>But one can't help but notice how the show drops the ball by turning one of its only Black characters, Jolene (Moses Ingram), into little more than a harmful trope. </p><h2><strong>During the first 2 episodes of the series, Jolene's sole purpose is to cater to whatever Beth's emotional needs are </strong></h2><p>Jolene is Beth's childhood companion in the Methuen Home, the all-girls orphanage they live in as kids. Jolene makes it her responsibility to immediately take a shy, dour Beth under her wing.</p><p><strong><div type="image" title="the queen's gambit young jolene and beth" height="2400" width="3600" msid="79649034" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>During the first episode of the limited series, Jolene gives Beth advice on how to cope while living in the establishment. </p><p>For example, the orphanage staff gives each girl two pills a day in order to keep them docile. Jolene advises Beth to save one of the pills under her tongue and take it before bed because the tranquilizer will make sleeping easier and more interesting. Later, however, Jolene notices Beth becoming obsessed with the tranquilizing pills and cautions her against becoming addicted.</p><p>After Beth is adopted, Jolene disappears from the narrative.</p><h2>Jolene is not seen again until the final 2 episodes when she cleans up Beth's spiraling life as an adult</h2><p>At this point in the show, Beth's substance abuse has severely worsened, her feelings of self-worth are at an all-time low after losing to her challenging chess opponent, Vasily Borgov (Marcin Dorociński), and she feels utterly alone. </p><p>Luckily, Jolene appears at Beth's house just in time to save Beth from herself.</p><p>Together, the two essentially embark on a swift healing journey that includes attending the funeral of William Shaibel (Bill Camp), the janitor from the orphanage who taught Beth how to play chess. They visit the basement where Mr. Shaibel taught Beth and they have meaningful discussions around Beth's current mental state and what's in store for her future.</p><p>All of the above give Beth the closure she needs to find herself and her confidence once more.</p><p>Using money from her law-school fund, Jolene pays for Beth's trip to Russia so Beth can play Borgov again and defeat him now that she's mentally in a better place (again, thanks to Jolene).</p><div type="image" title="beth and jolene queens gambit" height="2400" width="3199" msid="79649037" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Jolene's character falls in line with the 'modern mammy' trope, which can be mistaken by viewers for effective representation </strong></h2><p>A number of critics, including Gloria Oladipo for <a href="https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/netflix-the-queens-gambit-jolene-magical-negro-trope">Bitch Media</a>, have called out the series as using Jolene as a sidekick and stereotype. </p><p>Oladipo refers to the usage of Jolene's character as the "Magical Negro," a term popularized by Spike Lee in 2001 to describe "the insertion of a black character into a narrative who is bestowed upon the protagonist the wisdom he or she needs to move forward in some way," as summarized by Roxanne Gay in her 2014 book of essays titled <a href="https://instr.iastate.libguides.com/c.php?g=808612&amp;p=57716721672">"Bad Feminist."</a></p><p>But Jolene's role seems to go beyond that and verge into "modern mammy" territory, a trope that specifically relies on a Black female character doing the bidding of a white character. </p><p>Historically, the mammy figure has been shown on screen as an older <a href="https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/mammies/">Black woman who is a dutiful caregiver</a> to her white family. She's docile, loyal, maternal, non-threatening, probably religious, and at times crosses over with the sassy Black woman trope, but overall doesn't let much get in the way of her responsibilities to her white family.</p><p>The modern depictions of the mammy trope do not necessarily need to be a mother or nanny figure. This character often has motherly traits and unrelentingly supports the white people in her life, who usually don't reciprocate her devoted effort to their goals or arc. She is usually conveniently written out of the plot when she no longer serves a purpose.</p><div type="image" title="jolene and beth queens gambit" height="2348" width="3131" msid="79649039" hostid="261"></div><p>"The Queen's Gambit" maintains some level of self-awareness. There's an attempt to anticipate criticism of Jolene's role in the show by having Jolene say she is not Beth's "guardian angel."</p><p>Instead, Jolene justifies - maybe even defends - her help for Beth by saying they're "family."</p><p>But for Jolene and Beth to supposedly have such a close familial bond, it doesn't make sense that Jolene is only seen by viewers when Beth needs her help. </p><p>And aside from a few bits of dialogue, Jolene's character and arc are never explored outside of her commitment to helping Beth.</p><h2><strong>This isn't the first Netflix original to have a problem with diversity on- and off-screen</strong></h2><p>Notably, "The Queen's Gambit" is not the first time Netflix has mishandled or neglected the Black characters in its original series. </p><p>One of Netflix's earliest originals, "Orange Is the New Black," also sidelines its Black characters and places a white woman in the foreground within the context of the prison system, which <a href="https://www.naacp.org/criminal-justice-fact-sheet/">disproportionately impacts BIPOC women</a> more than <a href="https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/the-changing-racial-dynamics-of-womens-incarceration/">white women</a>.</p><p>The award-winning show features a diverse cast, but as it progressed, many criticized it as <a href="https://wearyourvoicemag.com/orange-is-the-new-black-trauma-porn-written-white-people/">"trauma porn written for white people</a>," calling it out as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jun/05/orange-is-the-new-black-stars-taystee-crazy-eyes-sophia">exploiting Black struggles</a> for <a href="https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/racism-orange-new-black-makes-it-traumatic-watch">shock value</a>. The first four seasons of the show were written primarily by white writers and not a single Black writer, <a href="https://splinternews.com/go-ahead-guess-how-many-black-writers-work-on-orange-1793857745">as Splinter reported in 2016</a>.</p><div type="image" title="orange is the new black" height="1992" width="2657" msid="79649042" hostid="261"></div><p>Netflix's animated comedy "Big Mouth" had its main Black character, Missy, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-mouth-replace-jenny-slate-black-actor-biracial-character-1300237">voiced by white actress Jenny Slate for the better part of four seasons</a>. In 2020, amid the <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/inside-big-mouths-big-change">Black Lives Matter movement,</a> Slate publicly gave up the role in June and the series later <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/michaelblackmon/big-mouth-new-season-jenny-slate-netflix?utm_source=dynamic&amp;utm_campaign=bffbbuzzfeed&amp;ref=bffbbuzzfeed&amp;uzzfeed&amp;">gave the role to Black actress Ayo Edebiri</a>.</p><p>There's also the streaming service's newest comedy-drama "Emily in Paris," which has been <a href="https://www.flare.com/tv-movies/emily-in-paris-diversity/">criticized</a> for its lack of <a href="https://www.fr24news.com/a/2020/10/emily-in-paris-review-lily-collins-saves-a-trivial-story-from-wanderlust.html">diversity</a> in a <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/emily-in-paris-misses-diversity-in-lack-of-moroccan-and-algerian-representation-in-the-series.html/">diverse city</a>. The series follows white protagonist Emily (Lily Collins), and its main source of inclusivity comes from her Black coworker, Julien (Samuel Arnold), and her Asian best friend, Mindy Chen (Ashley Park).</p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/shows-you-should-watch-if-you-like-emily-in-paris">"Emily in Paris"</a> provides very little background or substance to Julien's character outside of his proximity to Emily and his tendency to fall into the <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/emily-in-paris-misses-diversity-in-lack-of-moroccan-and-algerian-representation-in-the-series.html/">sassy Black character trope</a>. Mindy's main purpose is to serve as Emily's helpful sidekick. </p><h2><strong>Netflix has made efforts to diversify its shows and storylines, but there's always room for improvement</strong></h2><p>In recent years, <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/z4gmw5/why-netflix-has-decided-to-make-diversity-a-top-priority">Netflix has made progressive attempts toward diversifying</a> its staff and content to provide viewers with more representation.</p><p>Black creators are leading the charge. Filmmaker Ava Duvernay has worked with Netflix to create acclaimed projects that examine racism in America, like the documentary "13th" and the limited series "When They See Us." Shonda Rhimes and Kenya Barris also signed on with the streaming platform, <a href="https://observer.com/2020/11/netflix-shonda-rhimes-ryan-murphy-kenya-barris-deals-ratings-budget/#:~:text=In%202017%2C%20Netflix%20signed%20Grey's,Horror%20Story%20creator%20Ryan%20Murphy.">each to the tune of $100 million</a> (still less than the <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/tvs-first-300m-man-inside-netflixs-blockbuster-ryan-murphy-deal-1099145">reported $300 million "American Horror Story" creator Ryan Murphy received</a>).</p><p>And there are Netflix original series telling diverse stories with diverse leads. Its animated series "The Dragon Prince" - featuring BIPOC characters, LGBTQ storylines, and characters with disabilities - got renewed for a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/07/24/the-dragon-prince-has-been-renewed-by-netflix-for-season-4/#:~:text=EDT%20%7C95%2C266%20views-,'The%20Dragon%20Prince'%20Has%20Been%20Renewed%20By%20Netflix,For%20Season%204%20And%20Beyond&amp;text='The%20Dragon%20Prince'%20will%20return,a%20fourth%20season%20on%20Netflix.lix.">fourth season</a> earlier this year. Mindy Kaling's comedy-drama "Never Have I Ever," which features an Indian-American protagonist, is set to debut a second season in <a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a32356667/never-have-i-ever-season-2-news-date-cast-spoilers/#:~:text=Never%20Have%20I%20Ever%20is,%2C%20%22%20It's%20official%2C%20people!">2021</a>.</p><p>Still, Netflix should keep in mind that any inclusive projects won't erase harmful tropes and lack of representation in its other predominantly white original series. "The Queen's Gambit" - and Jolene - deserved better.</p><p><strong>Read More:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/interesting-things-about-the-queens-gambit-fun-facts">16 things you probably didn't know about 'The Queen's Gambit'</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-jojo-siwa-criticism-impacts-fans-2020-12">People scrutinizing JoJo Siwa's appearance are hurting young women in the spotlight - and setting a terrible example for their younger fans</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/best-book-to-tv-adaptations-2018-8">31 TV shows based on books that you should watch in your lifetime</a></p>

'The Queen's Gambit' is the latest Netflix series to mishandle its Black characters

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Katie Nave is freelance writer, advocate, and nonprofit communications specialist based in Brooklyn, New York.</li><li> At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, she moved in with her ex-husband so they could safely co-parent their 5-year-old daughter.</li><li>In an aim to improve her mental health, she developed self-care morning and evening routines to carve out quiet time for <keyword id="6388212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="meditation">meditation</keyword>, <keyword id="1591355" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="journaling">journaling</keyword>, and reading.</li><li>Nave also says that burning incense and candles, reading tarot cards, and shutting off her phone an hour before bed have helped improve her headspace and sleep habits.</li></ul><p>Like many people, my life in <keyword id="58679" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Quarantine">quarantine</keyword> is chaos. Back in March, my daughter's school closed, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quarantined-with-ex-husband-since-march-covid-pandemic-2020-7">I moved back in with my ex-husband</a> to safely co-parent, and my freelance work began to dry up. Like most everyone, my daily routine and creature comforts were completely gone, and I felt like a mess.</p><p>I've never been the Gywneth Paltrow, glowy, goddess-of-perfection-and-wellness type, but in the past, self-care meant getting to an exercise class in the morning or meeting up with friends for dinner. Without access to these, at the start of quarantine, I became a person who was always reaching for my phone, obsessively reading the latest news alerts and living in a constant state of fear. </p><p>After completely losing my cool with my daughter one night, I knew that something had to give. I felt I'd lost myself, and it was taking a toll on those closest to me. I needed to find a way to feel grounded again. I thought of my former methods of self-care, considered my therapist's (often ignored) suggestions, and did a little research. Then, I came up with a ritual to better start and end my day. </p><h2><strong>I've started waking up earlier for alone time to prepare for the day.</strong><strong> </strong></h2><p>For someone coping with anxiety or depression, simply facing the day can be overwhelming, but <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gen-y-psy/201810/the-power-routines-in-your-mental-health">studies show</a> that maintaining a consistent daily routine can greatly benefit your mental health. I have certainly seen the results firsthand. </p><p>I wake up around 6 a.m. to ensure that I'm up before my daughter has a chance to barge in with an array of nuanced questions about sea animals. Sure, sleeping in for a few extra hours can be rejuvenating, but if I wake up and am immediately thrown into the madness of the day, I feel perpetually behind. Instead, taking about 20 minutes total for myself has helped to increase my productivity, energy, and overall mood.</p><h2><strong>Before anyone needs my attention, I go to my dedicated space and get still. </strong></h2><div type="image" title="Katie Nave" height="3024" width="4032" msid="78220981" hostid="261"></div><p>I've found it helpful to sit in the same spot in the corner of my bedroom each morning, light incense or a candle, and say a quick prayer or simply listen to my breath. I bought my floor cushion from a woman I met in Mexico, but there are <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/716435574/meditation-cushion-seating-floor-pillow?ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_search_query=floor+cushion&amp;ref=sr_gallery-1-5&amp;organic_search_click=1&amp;pro=1&amp;frs=1_click=1&amp;pro=1&amp;frs=1">similar cushions</a> available online that can ship almost anywhere. For me, this isn't a religious practice or a formal meditation. It is simply a way to get still, get quiet, and get centered.</p><p>I've also started pulling<a href="https://hauswitchstore.com/collections/tarot-oracle-decks/products/55724"> tarot cards</a> each morning to help inspire reflection and direction. While this is likely not for everyone, I got inspired to do so after spending a weekend with my wonderfully witchy friend who walked me through how to do a simple tarot spread. HausWitch hosts <a href="https://hauswitchstore.com/collections/virtual-workshops">virtual workshops online</a> where you can learn all about it. </p><div type="image" title="Katie Nave tarot" height="3024" width="4032" msid="78220985" hostid="261"></div><p>Opening the curtains and letting natural light in is energizing and I immediately feel lighter when the fresh air hits my face. </p><h2><strong>Writing in a journal helps me get out all of my feelings.  </strong></h2><p>I've always been a person with big feelings. Ideally, before starting the day, I'll take a few minutes to jot down my thoughts, purge my fears, and create a gratitude list. Getting super granular about specific areas of gratitude is a great anecdote for stress. A list may simply include my healthy lungs, my daughter's soft snores, a thoughtful text from a friend, or my cup of coffee. </p><div type="image" title="Katie Nave" height="2274" width="3024" msid="78220988" hostid="261"></div><p>I keep a stack of <a href="https://www.papersource.com/desk/lively-floral-journals-10001293.html">simple journals from Paper Source</a> next to my bed that I try to write in each day. Revisiting journal entries from days and weeks back has also proven helpful in gaining perspective, especially as I become more and more desensitized to the pandemic. No matter what happens, I see that my feelings are like weather, always coming and going. </p><div type="image" title="Katie Nave journal" height="2274" width="3024" msid="78220992" hostid="261"></div><p>After this quiet time and a few gentle stretches, I'm ready to start my day.</p><h2><strong>In the evening, I carve out time to unwind and unplug.</strong></h2><p>While living in quarantine, I've spent many nights going down social media rabbit holes, glass of wine in-hand. I'm not alone in this, as <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-study-finds-covid-19-pandemic-transforms-cell-phone-usage-301066502.html">studies show</a> that the pandemic has led to a large increase in cell phone usage. We're all feeling bored, lonely, and seeking pleasure. However, each time we pick up our phones, the flood of alerts can cause stress hormones to go through the roof.</p><p>Putting my phone away about an hour before bed and taking space to decompress from the day has helped me to feel more calm and has drastically improved my sleep.</p><h2><strong>A simple meditation practice at night helps me to sleep better. </strong></h2><p>I've always been resistant to meditation. I get itchy, bored, or simply fall asleep while attempting a long, formal practice. It annoyed the shit out of me when my ex discovered transcendental meditation, so it's likely that I'm still holding a personal grudge. Still, <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth">studies show</a> that meditation is highly beneficial to one's mental and physical health, so I've stopped trying to fight it.</p><p>I've recently embraced the practice of sitting still, listening to my breath, and clearing my mind for a few minutes each night. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll rub calming <a href="https://www.theartistryofessentialoils.com/">essential oils</a>, like lavender or chamomile, and light <a href="https://www.swansonvitamins.com/aloha-bay-healing-chakra-energy-jar-candle-1-11-oz-unit?SourceCode=INTL4071&amp;DFA=1&amp;UTM_Medium=Shopping&amp;UTM_Source=GOOGLE&amp;UTM_Campaign=SWAN_National_Gen_Shopping_Null_Null_All+Products_Medium+4055-01+Healthy+Home&amp;UTM_Content=PRODUCT_GROUP&amp;SourceCode=INTL4071&amp;ds_rl=1262629&amp;ds_rl=1263854&amp;ds_rl=1262629&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwkoz7BRBPEiwAeKw3q0Xvos973p7STbeT-Np5m6Hg-vF7lGsqLfDB6VIpcVu2ZRxOGOV8pxoCcyYQAvD_BwE7lGsqLfDB6VIpcVu2ZRxOGOV8pxoCcyYQAvD_BwE">a candle</a>. Before putting my phone away for the night, I'll sometimes use the <a href="https://www.calm.com/">Calm</a> app. They have daily 10 minute guided meditations, and more in-depth options, that I love. </p><h2><strong>Reading also offers me a therapeutic escape. </strong></h2><div type="image" title="Katie Nave books" height="2268" width="3023" msid="78220995" hostid="261"></div><p>Since childhood, reading has always provided me with a much-needed escape from reality. Whether I'm absorbed in a fiction novel or diving into a nonfiction topic of fascination, <keyword id="5050" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="books">books</keyword> help me to get outside of myself. They force me to stop multitasking, be still, and focus on the page in front of me.</p><p>Sharing book recommendations with friends in quarantine has also been a small way to add human connection and stay in touch with those that I miss. While I had trouble focusing early in quarantine, I'm now back in the reading game and have enjoyed "Women Talking" by Miriam Toews, "Big Friendship" by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, "There There" by Tommy Orange, and "Little Weirds" by Jenny Slate.</p><div type="image" title="Katie Nave book" height="2274" width="3024" msid="78221001" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>My self-care rituals are far from perfect, but they have made a big difference for my mental health during this time. </strong></h2><p>As normal routines have been completely rocked, establishing regular touchpoints each morning and night has become my anchor. I'm still scared, sad, and anxious quite often, but this has helped me to feel a little more at ease each day. </p><p><em>Katie Nave is a freelance writer, advocate, and nonprofit communications specialist living in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more on her <a href="http://www.katienavefreeman.com/">website</a>.</em></p>

My life has been chaos since quarantine started. Here are 5 habits helping me sleep better and stay calm and centered during the day.

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5daa122e4af9090eb061e077-1147/screen shot 2019-10-18 at 31547 pm.png" border="0" alt="caroline hirsch" data-mce-source="Provided by 5W Public Relations" data-mce-caption="Caroline Hirsch with comedian Jim Gaffigan and &amp;quotLast Week Tonight&quot; host John Oliver." /></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>The 16th annual New York Comedy Festival begins next week.</li><li>Caroline Hirsch, the festival's founder and owner of the comedy club Carolines on Broadway, talked to Business Insider about Netflix's explosion into comedy and whether it's good for the industry.</li><li>She discussed "Joker" director Todd Phillips' recent comments about "woke culture" destroying comedy. She didn't agree.</li><li>Hirsch also spoke about comedian Louis C.K., who was accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct in a New York Times report in 2017, which he later said was "true."</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Some of the biggest names in comedy, including "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert and "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah, will perform in New York City next week for the 16th annual <a href="http://nycomedyfestival.com/">New York Comedy Festival</a>. The festival includes over 100 shows throughout the city at venues like Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Carolines on Broadway.</p><p>And behind the curtain is a lesser-known name, though one that's been a major force in the comedy business for decades: the festival's founder, Caroline Hirsch.</p><p>Hirsch is also the owner of the Carolines on Broadway comedy club, which she founded in 1982, so her roots in the industry stretch back decades. Carolines helped launch the careers of comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno.</p><p>"I knew there was something in the wind," Hirsch told Business Insider of why she started the club. "Every generation [since] we've had more comedians coming through."</p><p>There are more comedians than ever before, but there also those who complain that the art form is dying. Most recently, "Joker" director Todd Phillips, who had been known for R-rated comedies like "The Hangover" trilogy, said that he <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/joker-director-says-he-cant-make-comedies-because-woke-culture-2019-10">stopped making comedies because of "woke culture."</a></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5db79927dee0197c524695f6-1430/todd phillips jamie mccarthy getty.jpg" border="0" alt="Todd Phillips Jamie McCarthy Getty" data-mce-source="Jamie McCarthy/Getty" /></div></div></div></p><p>"Go try to be funny nowadays with this woke culture," Phillips told Vanity Fair earlier this month. "There were articles written about why comedies don't work anymore - I'll tell you why, because all the f---ing funny guys are like, 'F--- this shit, because I don't want to offend you.' It's hard to argue with 30 million people on Twitter."</p><p>Hirsch doesn't agree. She said that there are respectful comedians, like Jim Gaffigan, who "don't offend anybody." But there are also the ones who know how to walk that "fine line" and strike a nerve in a funny way. She noted Bill Burr, Norm Macdonald, and Noah as examples, the latter two of whom will be performing at this year's festival.</p><p>"When comedy is really smart it can dangle on that line," Hirsch said. "People don't possess it early in their careers, but then it comes naturally."</p><p>But with the growth of comedy through various platforms, especially streaming, there are plenty of comedians who aren't ready for the spotlight, according to Hirsh.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5ab502773a2e781d008b463b-1600/968e480bd1c192e28957572c799554ba62a7841b.jpg" border="0" alt="jerry Seinfeld" data-mce-source="Netflix" data-mce-caption="&amp;quotJerry Before Seinfeld.&quot;" /></div></div></div></p><h2>'All the power to Netflix'</h2><p>Netflix has broken through in the comedy scene in a major way.</p><p>While it's <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-15/netflix-cuts-back-on-standup-shows-in-retooling-of-comedy-budget">been cutting back on stand-up specials</a> this year, the streaming giant released over 50 by October of last year, according to Bloomberg. It <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comedians-netflix-paid-millions-ricky-gervais-new-special-2018-3">has reportedly paid comedians</a> anywhere from $13 million (Amy Schumer) to $100 million (Seinfeld) in groundbreaking deals that have included specials, TV shows, and movies.</p><p>Hirsch said that Netflix is "helpful to the performer" in building a comedian's brand.</p><p>"Netflix is paying $20 million for a special," Hirsch said. "Comedians came a long way from making $20 for a stand-up set. That's progress."</p><p>But it's not all great, according to Hirsch.</p><p>"All the power to Netflix, they really get behind comedians," she said. "But there's a lot of junk, too."</p><p>"Some people aren't ready for an hour special," she continued. "It's boring. I find more and more of that lately because they [Netflix] need all of this content and a lot of people aren't ready for it. Great comedy is when you're glued to the device. I think they are plucking people way before they are ready for it." </p><p>So how does Hirsch know when someone is ready? She has an eye for talent, but said it's difficult to pinpoint what exactly the "it" factor is for a comedian. But they do have to have a unique, distinct voice to make them stand out in the crowd, she said.</p><p>"When you see that person on stage, you just know," she said. "They command it."</p><h2>'How long can he pay for it?'</h2><p>Hirsch's decades in the business has given her a front-row seat to the rise of those comedians who command the stage. The comedy festival, she said, was even born out of a Carolines on Broadway 20th anniversary reunion. She's met and befriended most, if not all, of the prominent names in the industry. </p><p>That also means she's had to confront some of their controversies.</p><p>In November 2017, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/arts/television/louis-ck-sexual-misconduct.html?module=inline">The New York Times</a> reported that multiple women accused comedian Louis C.K. of exposing himself and masturbating in front of them in the early 2000s. C.K. issued a statement the day after the report was published, saying "these stories are true."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56d4ba6f2e52651a008ba5ef-1200/louisck.jpg" border="0" alt="louis ck" data-mce-source="Getty" /></div></div></div></p><p>C.K. has been largely out of the public eye since then, save for some low-key standup performances. The FX television network, where his series "Louie" ran for five seasons from 2010 to 2015, cut ties with the comedian. And his movie, "I Love You, Daddy," was shelved.</p><p>Hirsch, who said she's known C.K. since he was a teenager, questioned how long C.K. should have to "pay." </p><p>"It's almost two years ago with him being banished," Hirsch said. "If this were a crime, he would have gone to court and he'd have a sentence and gone to jail. So is two years enough for him to be in jail? How long can he pay for it? I don't know. He lost his income, his shows. I think he was punished severely for what he did." </p><p>"I do not condone anything he did, but there's a time," she added. "Louis was in his 30s and he made a stupid mistake."</p><p>After Hirsch spoke to Business Insider, C.K. announced over the weekend that he would be embarking on an <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/louis-ck-is-going-on-a-big-comeback-tour-he-hasnt-earned-his-forgiveness">international stand-up tour starting next week</a> and running through January.</p><h2>What to expect at this year's festival</h2><p>Aside from the star-studded lineup - which also includes Jenny Slate, Kevin Smith, and "Big Mouth" cocreator Nick Kroll - charity events will take place during the New York Comedy Festival.</p><ul><li>The 13th annual <a href="http://sufh.bobwoodrufffoundation.org/">Stand Up for Heroes</a> event, a tribute to veterans, will be held Monday at 8 p.m. at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Bruce Springsteen, and others will take the stage as money is raised for the Bob Woodruff Foundation.</li><li>A new event, called <a href="https://gifts.gmhc.org/event/hungry-for-laughs/e252639">Hungry for Laughs</a>, will be held at the Helen Mills Theater on Tuesday and raise money for GMHC, a non-profit fighting AIDS.</li></ul><p>The New York Comedy Festival takes place November 4 to November 10. The complete lineup of performers for the festival is <a href="http://nycomedyfestival.com/line-up/">here</a>.</p><p class="tagline"><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/top-10-trends-in-digital-media?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=ctgr_bii&amp;itm_term=ctgr_leadgen&amp;itm_content=netflix&amp;itm_campaign=top-10-trends-in-digital-media"><img src="https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5c3dfe69d4beaf36ab26e737" alt="Exclusive FREE Slide Deck: Top 10 Trends in Digital Media by Business Insider Intelligence" border="0" style="margin: 0 auto !important; width: 100% !important; min-width: 280px !important; max-width: 640px !important" /></a></p>

New York Comedy Festival founder on the pros and cons of Netflix, Louis C.K. being 'banished,' and the state of comedy in 2019

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55b8ee142acae74c2f8b89e2-800-600/gap-models-caroline_trentini.0.jpg" alt="the gap fall 2015 ad campaign" data-mce-source="The Gap"><p class="source"><span>The Gap</span></p><p class="caption">One of the Gap's new ads.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Gap is trying to win back straying customers with a new ad campaign.<p>The retailer, famously known for celebrity-driven ad campaigns, has replaced famous people for models in&#xa0;its fall-winter 2015 ads, <a href="http://www.fashiongonerogue.com/gallery/gap-fall-2015-ad-campaign-models/" target="_blank">Fashion Gone Rogue</a> reports.</p><p>Gap hired supermodels&#xa0;<span>Andreea Diaconu, Liu Wen, Karolin Wolter, Aya Jones and Angel Rut, Fashion Gone Rogue writes.</span></p><p>The campaign is&#xa0;relatively simple: it features models up against a plain backdrop.</p><p>This is a far cry from Gap's most recent ad campaigns, which have been a series of misfires.</p><p>There was the&#xa0;failed "dress normal" campaign in 2014, which <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-november-sales-down-4-percent-2014-12" target="_blank">resulted in several months of declining sales</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/gap-taps-wk-lead-creative-agency-156421" target="_blank">Adweek </a>reported the brand had hired creative agency Wieden + Kennedy to execute the campaign. Gap attempted to jump onto the "normcore" trend, and claimed that the campaign "[celebrated] the individuality and authenticity of personal style by questioning what it means to dress normal" in a<a href="http://www.gapinc.com/content/gapinc/html/media/pressrelease/2014/med_pr_gapbrand_dressnormal.html" target="_blank"> press release</a>.</p><p>Celebrities such as Elisabeth Moss and Zosia Mamet appeared in ads, and other ads boasted odd platitudes like "dress like no one is watching" and "let your actions speak louder than your clothes."</p><p><a href="http://jezebel.com/gaps-blah-dress-normal-campaign-doesnt-get-the-irony-o-1649345286" target="_blank">Jezebel</a> writer Isha Aran summed up the campaign with a very apt headline: "Gap's blah 'dress normal' campaign doesn't get the irony of normcore."</p><p>The Gap misfired again with a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-tinder-marketing-campaign-backfires-2015-2" target="_blank">bizarre ad campaign in February 2015 on Tinder</a>, in which ads disguised as profile were removed from the dating app. However, the Gap released an Instagram "micro-series" starring Jenny Slate and Paul Dano called "<a href="https://instagram.com/p/ysJHTgj9mC/" target="_blank">Spring Is Weird</a>," as possible attempt to win back consumers.&#xa0;</p><p>Prior to those confounding campaigns, the Gap had a recent history of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-advertising-campaigns-2011-5?op=1" target="_blank">struggling to find its identity</a> - especially through its <keyword id="35666" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="advertising">advertising</keyword>.</p><p>Gap used to have iconic advertising campaigns, like the famous&#xa0;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knW1hGwmEXQ" target="_blank">"khaki swing"commercial.</a></p><p><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/knW1hGwmEXQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">This new campaign is crucial.</p><p>Gap has been ailing, as the brand recently disclosed it would be&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-closing-stores-and-laying-off-workers-2015-6">shuttering 175 stores</a><span>&#xa0;- 140 this fiscal year, alone.&#xa0;</span></p><p><span>Meanwhile,&#xa0;company's younger and more affordable sibling, Old Navy, has been </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-closing-stores-as-old-navy-thrives-2015-6" target="_blank">outperforming</a><span> its namesake brand.&#xa0;</span></p><p><span>A simple campaign may help Gap get back to its roots, which Jessica Navas, chief planning officer of Erwin Penland, told Business Insider was "<span>great, great, great basics for a very accessible price."</span></span></p><p><span><span>Back in its heyday, she said, Gap "<span>elevated incredible basics to not just an iconic status in terms of clothing, but also a spirit - you felt like there was such a strong attitude, so much energy."</span></span></span></p><div style="width: 100%; height: 100%; background: none; position: relative; float: right; padding: 0 5px 10px 5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border: solid 1px gray;">Sponsored by Adobe <p style="margin: 0 0 0 10px;"><strong>Adobe Audio White Papers for Marketing:</strong> "The New Era of Marketing Magic"</p>  <iframe width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/211984486&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false"></iframe> </div>

Gap has a new strategy to win back customers

<p></p>
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div>
<div class="image on-image">
<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54d384d2eab8ea3658836c9a-490-368/gap-tinder-marketing-campaign.png" border="0" alt="Gap Tinder marketing campaign"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/gap-looking-lovers-new-ad-tinder-162779">Adweek</a></span></p>
<p class="caption">These were the pictures Gap was using in its Tinder profile.</p>
</img></div>
<p></p>
</div></div>Gap launched a new digital marketing push on Thursday to promote its Spring season. The campaign #SpringIsWeird campaign included an Instagram "micro-series" and the creation of Tinder profiles, <a href="http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/gap-looking-lovers-new-ad-tinder-162779">advertising that the retailer is marking down denim by 30%, according to Adweek</a>.
<p>But soon after the news published about the Tinder element of the campaign, the dating app decided to shut it down.</p>
<p>In a tweet to Adweek reporter Garrett Sloane (who wrote - and has now updated - the original story about Gap's "Tinder ads"), Tinder's vice president of corporate communications and brand partnerships Rosette Pambakian said it would be swiftly removing Gap's profile from the dating app.</p>
<div><div>
 <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
  <p>
   <a href="https://twitter.com/GarettSloane">@GarettSloane</a> we will be deleting those GAP profiles. It violates our TOS. We did not approve this campaign and it is not an ad.  </p>- Rosette Pambakian  (@RosetteP) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/563217076249034753">February 5, 2015</a>
 </blockquote>
 <script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p class="embed-spacer"><a href="http://www.gotinder.com/terms">Tinder's terms of service</a> state that the service is "for personal use only" and that users may not use the service or any content contained in the service for "<keyword id="35666" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="advertising">advertising</keyword> or soliciting any user to buy or sell any products or services not offered by the company."</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">It appears the issue here is that Gap did not ask Tinder's permission before creating the profiles. Brands <em>have</em> used Tinder to market themselves before: In 2013 <a href="http://contently.com/strategist/2014/11/25/6-brands-that-used-tinder-as-a-social-media-marketing-platform/">USA Network promoted the TV series "Suits"</a> by creating profiles for its characters on the app, while last year <a href="http://www.eightytwenty.ie/blog/tinder-sex-trafficking-campaign-immigration-council/">The Immigrant Council in Ireland used the app to raise awareness of sex trafficking</a>.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">It could be that Tinder is banishing organic brand marketing use of the app is it prepares to launch paid-for advertising options. Last year <a href="http://www.marketingweek.com/2014/04/30/tinder-to-explore-native-advertising/">Tinder's owner IAC told analysts on its first quarter earnings call that it was exploring "native advertising"</a> - the type of advertising that blends in with the format of the platform, rather than banners or pop-ups.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Tinder is also rolling out a paid subscription product called Tinder Plus that will expand the radius in which users can find matches, allow users to undo accidental swipes, and offer unlimited right-swipes. One of the benefits of paying could also include eliminating ads.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">For Gap, being effectively left-swiped from the Tinder app is a blip to its marketing plans. Its advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy has created a series of 12 short films telling a love story between "Marcel the Shell" creator Jenny Slate and actor Paul Dano. One episode will be released each week. Further elements were also due to be distributed across other "dating websites and apps," according to a press release from Wieden + Kennedy. In addition, Gap's Spring campaign will also include "broader print and online components" featuring upcoming artist modeling its clothing.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Here's the first video in the #SpringIsWeird series, which takes advantage of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/04/instagram-introduces-infinitely-looping-video">Instagram's new looping capabilities</a>:</p>
<div><div>
 <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/ysJHTgj9mC/embed/" width="658" height="" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">
 </iframe>
</div></div>
<p>Gap will be hoping its latest marketing efforts will turn around <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-november-sales-down-4-percent-2014-12">several months of sales declines</a>. The company's global brand campaign "Dress Normal" - of which its Spring efforts is an off-shoot - has been <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gap-november-sales-down-4-percent-2014-12">roundly criticized by analysts and observers</a>.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer">Last month Gap's creative director Rebekka Bay left the company. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-gap-cuts-design-chief-job-as-sales-slowdown-continues-2015-1">Gap restructured its marketing team</a> by eliminating the creative director role and promoting its customer engagement chief, Scott Key, to senior vice president and general manager of customer experience.</p>

Gap just got thrown off Tinder

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59d7af25c68d7b282e8b8165-2400/bigmouths01e0812m12s17570f-2.png" alt="Big Mouth" data-mce-source="Netflix"><p class="source"><span>Netflix</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Remember puberty?&#xa0;&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">You probably do, but don't want to. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Netflix's new show, "Big Mouth," takes one of the most horrific&#xa0;periods of every person's life and transforms it into a vulgar, honest, and delightful animated series. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">On "Big Mouth," every teen has a "hormone monster"&#xa0;who follows them around and fuels their sexual desires, explaining new body hair and other changes. "Big Mouth" will remind you of some of those terrible memories you've probably repressed all these years, but will help you look back on them with some joy rather than pain.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And it has been a hit with critics, snagging a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-netflix-original-animated-shows-for-adults-from-worst-to-best-2017-10/">become Netflix's highest-rated animated show</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Business Insider recently talked to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2810295/">Andrew Goldberg</a>, a former "Family Guy" writer who co-created "Big Mouth" with comedian Nick Kroll (his best friend since childhood), Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. We talked about what it was like making a semi-autobiographical show about the most awkward period of&#xa0;your life, the freedom of working with Netflix, and an&#xa0;awful&#xa0;moment he had at a bar mitzvah that actually made it&#xa0;onto the show. </span></p><p><strong>Carrie Wittmer: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's crazy to think that there's never really been a show or movie that focuses on puberty in this way before. How'd this concept come to life?</span></p><p><strong>Andrew Goldberg:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> One of the reasons it was interesting to us is like you said, there haven't really been shows that take a real deep, authentic dive into it [puberty], and certainly not any comedies. And there was a real breakthrough at some point . . Mark and Jen are married and they have a son who at the time was about 12, and was really going through this. And he was saying, "Is there a way to use animation to create a character out of all of the fear and neuroses surrounding puberty?" And I said, "like a hormone monster?" And he said, "Yeah exactly." And later that day I just I said those words "hormone monster" to Nick [Kroll]. And just immediately&#xa0;he had the voice and really had such a beat on that character. For us, that was a big breakthrough. And then we were quickly like, "Well, there has to be a female hormone monster." So once we added that and Maya Rudolph, it did really help us hone what the show is about. I'm sorry that was such a long answer. </span></p><p><strong>Wittmer: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">I love long answers. You addressed this as a joke in one of the episodes, but was it hard for you guys to find a home for the show since it is this gross sexual humor involving kids? Were there ever any points where you felt you were maybe drawing the line?</span></p><p><strong>Goldberg: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">There was more than one place that wanted it, and we chose Netflix. One of the reasons chose Netflix&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and I'm so glad we did&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">- is </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">we anticipated that they give creators freedom to push the envelope. And we were right that they would be the perfect place to let us do a really honest show. The whole first season, there was only one instance where Netflix was like, "You probably shouldn't do that." And we were actually 50/50 on it ourselves anyway. So it was very easy to say "OK, you're right."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59d7b39b351ccfe5398b4a99-2400/bigmouths01e0814m22s20671f%201.jpeg" alt="Big Mouth" data-mce-source="Netflix"><p class="source"><span>Netflix</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><strong>Wittmer: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is it hard for you and the writers to go back and dig deep in this time of your life? </span></p><p><strong>Goldberg: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's super fun and occasionally it's torture. But the nice thing about it is our writers room often feels like you've sat in a day of therapy. It's really cathartic because you're in this group of people&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">-&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and hopefully people watching the show get the same experience&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">-&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">where you're reliving these memories that are traumatic or embarrassing or awkward, but you're getting the feeling that other people have been through it, too.</span></p><p><strong>Wittmer:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Did you learn something new about anyone else's experience with puberty? Like women or even another guy's experience that you hadn't thought of before?</span></p><p><strong>Goldberg:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Oh yeah. Constantly. Especially with the female-driven episodes. Those were such a learning experience for me. Early on, Jen [Flackett, co-creator] was very focused on giving equal time to girls. And Emily Altman and Kelly Glesca, two of our writers, wrote a lot of those female-centric episodes and were also super helpful. And then Jenny Slate, Jessi Klein, and Maya Rudolph also brought so much to that. Nick and I had a very good friend growing up who later told us that she did in fact get her first period at the Statue of Liberty on a school trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59d7af66c68d7b282e8b8168-2400/bigmouths01e0222m29s32360f-2.png" alt="Big_Mouth_S01E02_22m29s32360f 2" data-mce-source="Netflix"><p class="source"><span>Netflix</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><strong>Wittmer:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> How about the "girls are horny" episode?</span></p><p><strong>Goldberg:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> That was another learning experience just for the men on the staff. The women talked about how much less linear it is what turns them on versus what turns men on, which was really fascinating for us. And then something we didn't get to in season one that really is something is what it's like to get breasts. How boys react to you, and how boys react to girls getting harassed, and how other girls react to that girl . . . and kind of doing something like that, with all the female characters in our show. That's something that we'd like to feature.</span></p><p><strong>Wittmer: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you think about your vision for the rest of the show, will it be like most animated shows where the characters are always the same age? You're in a unique situation since this show is about kids who are growing up fast, so they kind of have to change, right?</span></p><p><strong>Goldberg:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I think we imagine a combination of the two. This show is about changes. They definitely will age. Our plan is to age them up, but not necessarily every year. I don't feel like we've finished all our seventh grade stories yet.</span></p><p><strong>Wittmer:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Is there anything else puberty-related, besides women growing breasts, that you want to cover in upcoming seasons? </span></p><p><strong>Goldberg: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have a big bulletin board of puberty ideas that I'm even looking at right now. Like, odor is something that we didn't get in this season. Like, some sort of hygiene episode. That's definitely on the horizon. One of the nice things about doing a show about this time of life is that it is so fraught with dramatic and comedic issues that it feels like we have a lot more to mine.</span></p><p><strong>Wittmer: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">And it's such a short time. Only a couple of years. This show made me really think about how much happened during puberty for the first time. So much happens.</span></p><p><strong>Goldberg: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's a wild time of life. And it's tough. Everything feels so important in the moment. What drama, packed into just a couple years.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59d7b061c68d7b29008b87a5-1920/bm104jayandrewnick-with-pillow.png" alt="Big Mouth" data-mce-source="Netflix"><p class="source"><span>Netflix</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><strong>Wittmer:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The characters are loosely based off yourself and Nick [Kroll]. What things in the show are things that actually happened to you guys?</span></p><p><strong>Goldberg:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I did in fact c--- in my pants at a bar mitzvah. So that was based on reality. My mother was very upset because she was upset that I didn't come to her afterwards and tell her that. And we actually did have a friend who used to f--- his pillow. That was one that I was mesmerized by in real life. And like I said our good friend had her first period at the Statue of Liberty. A lot a lot of it is exaggerations and embellishment of stuff that that really did happen to us.</span></p><p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here is the trailer for "Big Mouth," which is available to stream on Netflix:</span></em></p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oTC7wQMHHEA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/adam-savage-undercover-chewbacca-comic-con-star-wars-mythbusters-tested-cosplay-2017-10">Watch Adam Savage go undercover as Chewbacca at New York Comic Con</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/fU9yEqJc-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

We talked to the creator of Netflix's wickedly funny new show about puberty, which has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="YouTube/DISNEY XD" title_caption="Daron Nefcy, creator and executive producer of " Star="" vs.="" The="" Forces="" of="" Evil.="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119e566bb3f7f37acb70b0-960/daron-nefcy-2.png"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119e566bb3f7f37acb70b0-1200-924/daron-nefcy-2.png" border="0" alt="Daron Nefcy" /></a><p class="source"><span>YouTube/DISNEY XD</span></p><p class="caption">Daron Nefcy, creator and executive producer of "Star vs. The Forces of Evil." </p></div><p></p></div></div>Daron Nefcy spent a lot of time getting in trouble for doodling all over her schoolwork as a kid.</span></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But it "really paid off," she excitedly tells Business Insider.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Nefcy is the creator, executive producer, and animator of a new show, <span>"</span><span>Star vs. The Forces of Evil,</span><span>" which </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Disney TV Animation is debuting later this month. </span></p><p>The now 28-year-old, who studied Character Animation at the CalArts school in Los Angeles, recently spoke to Business Insider about how she got into the world of animation, what it's <em>really </em>like to work for Disney, and her best advice for aspiring artists.</p><p><em>This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.</em></p><p><strong>Business Insider: How and when did you decide you wanted to become an animation artist?</strong></p><p>Daron Nefcy: I've always loved cartoons. I used to make my own comics in elementary school and decided in the fourth grade I wanted to make cartoons when I grew up. So all those years of getting into trouble for doodling all over my schoolwork really paid off!</p><p><strong>BI: What kind of training have you gone through for this job?</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p>DN: I'm very lucky because I went from studying and graduating from a great animation-focused school, CalArts, right into a job at an animation studio.</p><p>At CalArts, we had to create our own student short film each year, which consisted of writing the story, storyboarding, pitching ideas, designing the characters, building an animatic, casting the roles, editing, sound mixing, and doing all of the hand drawn animation for the film. Before "Star," I got to work on some great shows at three different animation studios: Warner Brother's "MAD," Nickelodeon's "Robot and Monster" and Disney's "Wander Over Yonder."</p><p>Being able to work on a variety of different projects before my own really helped me learn how an animated TV show is run. While making the pilot for "Star," I also learned so much about the pilot process. When you're creating a pilot, you have a ton of time to make that one episode. But once it's in production, things move much quicker. </p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwkNXSM0d00"></iframe></p><p><strong>BI: Tell me more about your current project, </strong><strong>"Star vs. The Forces of Evil."</strong><span> </span></p><p>DN: The show is about a princess from another dimension named Star Butterfly, who comes to Earth as a foreign exchange student. On Earth, she lives with a loving family, the Diaz's, who have a son her age named Marco. She and Marco become fast friends and go on all kinds of adventures together, in high school and the multiverse, fighting monsters along the way.  </p><p><strong>BI: Can you explain the animation process?</strong></p><p>DN: Well, it's a big process! One aspect that's cool about "Star" is that it's a storyboard-driven show, which means that each episode is mapped out visually by the artists, and they do hundreds of drawings per episode that illustrate exactly how the characters should be acting and how the staging should be, etc.</p><p>What's special about a board-driven show is that the board artists also do the writing. The writers on "Star" submit a two-page outline. Once that's approved, the board artists take the outline and basically turn it into a full script on paper (or drawings on a computer). It's a very hard process - the board artists need to be able to write dialogue, know story, draw, stage, act, and more. Basically they need to be incredibly talented.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">In the television animation business, there's almost always a collective effort between the creator, executive producer, art director, background designer, character designer, and board artist - all of whom are animators - to get the design of a show down in the form of a "template." That template is then sent out of the country for the technical animation to be completed.</span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Disney XD/STAR" title_caption="'Star vs. The Forces of Evil.'" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119d06eab8eafd465109c1-960/137730_0129.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119d06eab8eafd465109c1-1200-706/137730_0129.jpg" border="0" alt="" Star="" vs.="" The="" Forces="" of="" Evil="" style="color: #000000;" /></a><p class="source"><span>Disney XD/STAR</span></p><p class="caption">'Star vs. The Forces of Evil.'</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><strong>BI: What's the hardest or most challenging part of being an animator?</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p>DN: There are a lot of moving pieces to running a show. I'd say one of the hardest parts about the job is letting things go. You want the show to be perfect but this is TV and with deadlines you need to learn to let things go, you can't work on them forever. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p>In addition, storyboard artists have really become modern day animators now that most shows are technically animated out of the country. Our storyboard artists sometimes have up to 2,000 drawings for an 11-minute board and they have to do the writing as well within a six week time period, so meeting deadlines can sometimes be a challenge.</p><p><strong>BI: What's the best part of the job?</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p>DN: It takes many creative individuals who have exceptional artistic skills across a wide-range of positions to make an animated TV series from scratch.</p><p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="DISNEY XD/Craig Sjodin" title_caption="Daron Nefcy." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119ed069beddf05cd07f72-960/daron-nefcy-3.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119ed069beddf05cd07f72-1200-924/daron-nefcy-3.jpg" border="0" alt="Daron Nefcy" /></a><p class="source"><span>DISNEY XD/Craig Sjodin</span></p><p class="caption">Daron Nefcy.</p></div><p></p></div></div>BI: What might surprise people most about your job?</strong></p><p>DN: It's difficult to take time off! That's for anyone who works in animation, and also probably anyone who works in film. The deadlines don't change, so if you can't be around for a week you need someone to do your job for you that week. And in a lot of cases no one can do your job for you. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p>One season of an animated show from start to finish takes about one and a half to two and a half years.  <span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p>Most of the actual animation is not done in the US. At Disney, our team consists of board artists, character designers, background painters, prop designers, and editors (about 40 people in the US) who handle all of the pre-production work. Then, the actual animation is done out of the country. The first season of "Star" is being animated in Canada and the Philippines. </p><p><strong>BI: When do people most frequently ask you about your job?</strong></p><p>DN: I think I've gotten to the point in my life where the only people I hang out with work in animation and film. When I meet new people and they ask where I work I just say "Disney" and they always assume it's in the park. They always say, "Oh, that's so fun! I always wanted to work at Disneyland!" I rarely correct them. Working at Disneyland is super cool!<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p><strong>BI: What's it like working for Disney? Did you always dream of working there?</strong></p><p>DN: I did love Disney as a kid, but I never dreamed of working here. It's neat! Most of the time I'm working, but they do have some fun events here like art shows and remote control car races.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Disney XD" title_caption="'Star vs. The Forces of Evil.'" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119d66eab8ead5495109c2-960/137730_0019.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55119d66eab8ead5495109c2-1200-706/137730_0019.jpg" border="0" alt="Star" /></a><p class="source"><span>Disney XD</span></p><p class="caption">'Star vs. The Forces of Evil.'</p></div><p></p></div></div><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">BI: What's the coolest thing you've had the opportunity to do in your career?</strong></span></p><p>DN: It's probably working with the amazing voice talent. I got to work with people like Jeffery Tambor, Jenny Slate, and Michael C Hall! How cool is that?<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p><strong>BI: What's your best piece of advice for an aspiring animator or creator? </strong></p><p>DN: Keep drawing, and make your own films and comics! It's so easy now - all the tools are on the computer. The only thing you need is your own imagination, a good idea, and commitment. Keep making projects. The first ones are never good but if you keep making new ones you'll learn and they'll get better. </p><p><strong>BI: Anything else you think people should know about your profession?</strong></p><p>DN: Drawing and painting for yourself is fun. Drawing for a living is a job. It's a job I love, but people need to remember that anything you do for a living becomes work. I only say this because a lot of people assume that drawing/writing/creating is always fun and therefore isn't real work and shouldn't be paid like real work. When I first got out of school, I had a lot of people saying things to me like, "Draw some characters for my project, it'll be good for your portfolio!" or, "Draw a logo for free for this company. Come on - it'll only take you five minutes!" None of that is true; all artists need to be paid fairly and respected. </p><p>Also, I just want to reiterate that making a TV show is a group effort. You need to be collaborative or it won't work. To make a short film you can do that on your own, but for a TV show you need a good team who believes in you and the show and all those people need to be working hard. It's not just about sitting in a dark cube creating something.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/follow-up-questions-end-job-interview-2015-1">7 smart questions to ask at the end of every job interview</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="B4ODhobjqemZPKhZS_YxGsIknwbquGn9" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'B4ODhobjqemZPKhZS_YxGsIknwbquGn9',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

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