Director Adam McKay Finds the "Traumedy" in 'The Big Short'

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Writer-director Adam McKay is known for his Will Ferrell comedies like Anchorman and Talladega Nights. He’s gone a different direction with The Big Short, and now the film about the 2008 financial collapse is up for five Oscars.

Adam McKay is the writer-director behind Will Ferrell hits including Anchorman and Step Brothers. He hardly expected to direct a film based on Michael Lewis’ book about the 2008 financial meltdown, but he couldn’t shake the idea, and now, his film The Big Short is up for Best Picture and McKay’s up for Best Director at the Oscars. He tells us how he defined genre to end up creating a “traumedy” -- a traumatic comedy. 

Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/ Paramount Pictures

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Credits

Host:

Kim Masters

Producer:

Kaitlin Parker