8 Dick Moves Filmmakers Used To Improve Actors' Performances

8. Minor Scene In Knocked Up Requires Actor To Face Biggest Fear

One moment you may not recall from the 2007 gross-out comedy, Knocked Up, happens at the very beginning of the movie. During the opening montage, Rogen and his burn-out buddies spend the day living out every prepubescent boy's dream: dueling with flaming boxing gloves, stick-fighting American Gladiator style, and riding the roller coasters at Knott's Berry Farms. Unfortunately for one of the actors involved, he's absolutely terrified of them. Jay Baruchel--who you might remember as that guy who unwittingly walks in on Katherine Heigl's vagina exploding what looks like a can of leaky black beans--has a deathly fear of roller coasters and is prone to panic attacks. Knowing this, director Judd Apatow initially let Jay opt out of the coaster scene. But when it came time to actually film it, Apatow reneged on their verbal contract, telling Jay he desperately needed him to get on the ride with his co-stars, insisting that the scene would be ruined without his participation. Not wanting to let the cast and crew down, Jay hesitantly straps himself in for the ride. Those panicked shrieks of "I gotta get off!" in the middle of the scene? Those are genuine. As an added kick to the urine-soaked testicles, for the most part you can barely see Jay. He's the furthest away from the camera and at some points is completely cut out of frame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WpwxeBmdbo