Bob Odenkirk and his brother Bill visited Carbondale and SIU last week. Bob is known for his role in the TV series Better Call Saul and the movie Nobody. Bill has been a writer for the animated shows Futurama and the Simpsons.
The majority of their trip was spent leading classroom workshops with SIU students. They worked with students to improve their writing and find success in the entertainment industry.
Cinema Student Quinton Hice talked with the Daily Egyptian about attending the workshop. He said their visit is inspiring him to continue learning about film, "The fact that I got to be in a room with them and hear their thoughts about how to get into the industry from where I am to where they are is surreal."
After working with the students, Bob and Bill attended an event for the community at The Varsity Center Friday afternoon.
They talked about their time in the entertainment industry. Bob began writing jokes for Saturday Night Live while working as a waiter in Chicago. They talked about their process for writing comedy. They also explained how their mistakes and challenges helped them achieve success.
Bob finished the event by talking about his time in Carbondale and working with the students, "I learned a lot. I had a good time. I got to make comedy and learn about comedy. So I have great affection for this place. I wanted to come back and talk with the students. It's inspirational to me to see them and talk to them."
Jason Santiago was one of the several hundred people who attended the event at The Varsity. He's a 2nd year law student at SIU. He enjoyed the way Bob and Bill supported each other on stage during the presentation, "He put on a good chat and discussion for everyone. It was really cool to see him in person because he's just like how he is on TV, very funny and a very nice guy as well."
The Odenkirks also spent part of their visit meeting with staff and faculty of SIU's College of Arts and Media.
