13 Student Films and Other Early Works of Comedy Legends

A short film is the perfect way to showcase your work without breaking the bank, and since new film festivals and competitions seem to pop up daily, there are countless ways to get the right pair of eyes on it. That’s what these comedy filmmakers figured out at an early age. They thought, “Hmm, it seems as though Hollywood bigwigs aren’t going to entrust me with millions of their dollars to direct a full length movie,” so they got proactive and just made a little somethin’ somethin’ themselves.
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Comedy’s top filmmakers had to start somewhere, and their early works show glimpses of what would become their trademark styles. The shorts shot on film deserve an extra shout out, because the time and money that had to be invested in those bad boys was no joke. So you kids with your iPhones and your $30 LED lights better be grateful for the speed at which you can bang out a short. The larger productions of these student films, shorts, and early works may not have paid off in the moment, but they definitely got the ball rolling for these 13 now-legends of comedy filmmaking.
His early short shows glimpses of that Hot Fuzz style.

Judd Apatow has always attracted an amazing cast.

This short got SNL’s attention.

You don’t really think of Mitch Hedberg as a filmmaker, but here we are.

Remember when he pretended to sleep at the Oscars? It was for this short!

Before The Puffy Chair, there was This is John.

The first “Digital” shorts were actually shot on 16mm.

Making musical comedies since way back in the day.

This relatively unknown comedy got the ball rolling for Broken Lizard.

But where are we gonna play all these sweet shorts?!

Channel 101: Dan Harmon’s Short Film Festival That Defined A Decade Of Comedy / Youtube
The guy is honestly an animation machine.

Do yourself a favor and DON’T google GG Allin.

An inspiring filmmaker’s tale of an inspiring filmmaker.
