Steve Carrell has great difficulty not facing the camera while filming because of his role in The office.
In the latest episode of the Office Ladies podcast, with former co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, the actor, who played Michael Scott on the US version of the series between 2005 and 2011, referred to the series’ mockumentary style, where the characters often glance at the camera.
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“I’ve never had a job where I haven’t looked at the camera every now and then… At least once,” he said. I’m sure on (the 2014 film) Foxcatcher I looked into the camera and (then I thought) ‘No, you can’t comment on what you just did’.”
In response, Jenna Fischer said, “Same! I can’t make the camera a character now. It’s such a habit.”
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During the conversation, the comedian explained that he avoided watching the original British version of The Office because he wanted to make sure his character was very different from that of David Brent, played by Ricky Gervais.
“I chose not to watch the UK version because I didn’t want it to affect how that version would look like,” he explained. (Ricky Gervais) was obviously so good in the role, he was such a special character, I didn’t want to play him.”