Abby Buchmeyer is on a gay cornhole team
Abby is a New York-based filmmaker and writer who graduated from the University of Michigan where she was president of the student-run creative production company, M-agination Films, and earned the prestigious Hopwood Award for her feature-length comedy script, an honor shared by Arthur Miller and Lawrence Kasdan. Since moving to New York, she has worked in almost every TV department from writers’ rooms to post-production, and is currently a striking script coordinator on a new, unreleased AppleTV+ show. Her credits include Billions, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Tokyo Vice, Warrior, and The Other Two. She also teaches writing, editing, and film programs for teens and adults– including her favorite workshop, “HOW DARE YOU: Writing the Teen Soap Opera”. Outside of her professional work, she dabbles in stand-up, featured at the New York Queer Comedy Festival, and sketch comedy where she’s a writer, editor, and director for GOLD comedy’s digital sketch team, Bingo Night, along with helping fellow comedians on short film projects. You can also find her sinkin’ bags with NY Gay Cornhole on her team, Hey Hole Sister, or unconditionally supporting her friend’s improv shows. Follow her exploits on Instagram @abbercrombie_n_pics or on Twitter (that’s what it’s called) @AbbyBuchmeyer.
What were you like as a teen?
To paint a picture with an anecdote, my high school AP Government teacher made cute little study packets for our class with cut-outs on the covers specifically tailored to each of us. Mine had an interview with Samantha Bee because “Um, this one just felt right: she’s funny, a Canadian, and a feminist” (I’m not Canadian, but I did live in Calgary for a whopping 18 months). I told my friends I didn’t understand because I believed in *equality* of the sexes looool… Since I moved a bunch growing up, and making people laugh was often my trick into breaking into communities from rich, uppity private schools to conservative, Christian middle schools. In high school, I was an overachiever who loved to wedge jokes and ridiculous metaphors into essays to both the vitriol and amusement of my teachers. And though I was always too people-pleasey to be super popular or the class clown, I owe humor to being able to at least get along with almost everyone in my high school.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I cut my teeth being a camp counselor for adults— sorry, I mean running background for a prestige television show with a co-worker who absolutely hated me. I’d be there chugging a lukewarm coffee at 4 am shouting “Allllllrighty I need background actors #1-#25 to wardrobe, and golly-gee-boy-oh-boy if you are #26 and up, I better not see 🙂 your butt 🙂 in wardrobe :)!!” then my co-worker would yell at me on walkie to buy better conditioner because a few strands of hair got on the sign in table. The good ol’ days. However, some line producers from that show promoted me into post-production after the season wrapped which eventually introduced me to my current (striking) showrunner who has hired me for two different writers’ rooms including the one I’m working on (striking from) now.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
Doing a bit for a family gift exchange that everyone still quotes.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
Though I would say I’m very much still in this phase…Great, talented friends who love me for who I am, but I can trust to be honest (and constructive) in critiquing my work are by and far the most valuable thing in my arsenal.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Working on TV, toxic colleagues are everywhere and it’s super spooky and really sucks! Fame is a sickness, but it also helps you get work, you know? The best thing you can do is find things and people that can ground you and can remind you that we’re all just little flesh bags with beautiful minds trying to make a living.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Ask for what you want, or no one will know to give it to you. I have to remind myself of this all the time, but it’s an important hump to get over, particularly for women and queer people who are often raised to not be a burden. And go to therapy if you can afford it!
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Let your confidence match your talent.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
How has being funny helped you in your life?
I love that passage in Amy Poehler’s Yes Please that says everyone has certain “currencies” in life that help them achieve what they want— like some people are gorgeous, or hyper-intelligent, or really organized, or funny. Leaning into your currency makes you happier and lets you stop comparing your currency to someone else’s completely different one. Being kind of funny has helped with my self-image in ways that have nothing to do with being kind of funny.
What specific things do you think a comedy writer should do to shape their voice?
There’s a lot of advice to give about writing, but I think it’s important to ALSO live your life! Explore interests and experiences that have absolutely nothing to do with your career aspirations that get you out of the proverbial house and give you something to write about.
Do you have a writing routine?
I wish I had a consistent routine, and it’s been really tough to write during the strike. My self-discipline goes in and out based on work and the state of the world. So when I’m really stuck, I either start something low-stakes for just 20 minutes to remind me that I like doing this or read a good book that makes me be like “Wow! The written word is so cool I bet they had so much fun writing this.”
What is your go-to show when you’ve had a bad day?
Hell’s Kitchen. They suffer, cook, and die (metaphorically) for my sins.
