SNL Cue Cards: Behind the Scenes With Wally Feresten

Not Real Art

Wally Feresten, iconic cue card writer for shows like SNL and Late Night with Seth Meyers, Explores his craft's artistry and his journey during the pandemic. He shares how he adapted to the challenges, starting his successful business, Cue Cards by Wally, and the joy of bringing personalized cue cards into people's lives globally. Wally also reflects on his relationships with hosts and performers, stressing the importance of rapport and discussing the unforeseen inventiveness brought about by navigating COVID-19 restrictions. The conversation rounds out with insights into the supportive and creative environment of his work and the significant but often overlooked role of cue cards in live television production.

https://notrealart.com/snl-cue-cards-wally-feresten

Episode Contents

00:00 Wally is a lovable, funny, cue card writer.

07:33 Discussion of various dimensions of sign painting.

12:44 Discussing tradition, design, and obsession in conversation.

21:25 Building trust and relationships for successful collaboration.

24:03 Building trust with SNL hosts every week.

29:50 Grateful for long-lasting job on TV show.

36:33 SNL returns with COVID restrictions, logistical challenges.

39:24 Wife entrepreneur rejects personalized cue card idea.

46:41 Christopher Walken hosts SNL, asks for card.

51:39 Sharpies, Power pilot pens, and old markers.

57:18 Meeting artists and celebrities can be challenging.

01:00:42 Talent, hard work, and kindness matter most.

01:05:13 Endorsement for custom cue cards by Wally.

Topics Discussed

Introduction to Wally Feresten

- Introduction of Wally Feresten as a guest on the Not Real Art Podcast.

- Explanation of Wally's role as a cue card writer for notable TV shows like SNL and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

- Mention of Wally's personal life, including his family and recreational activities.

Cue Cards and Artistry

- Discussion on the artistic aspect of writing cue cards.

- Comparisons made between Wally's work and famous sign painters.

- Reflection on the history and evolution of cue cards in the entertainment industry.

Business Ventures and Adaptations During COVID-19

- Exploration of Wally's business "Cue Cards by Wally" providing personalized cue cards.

- How the pandemic influenced Wally to start the business.

- Transition to remote work and adaptation of the business model during COVID-19.

Operational Details and Employee Management

- Insight into Wally’s operational and billing practices for shows.

- Discussion of employee status transitioning from independent contractors to full-time staff with benefits.

- Wally’s approach to maintaining a good work environment, highlighting the importance of being nice.

Impact of Cue Cards in the Industry

- Highlights of famous cue card writers and their contributions.

- The preference of cue cards over prompters by traditional hosts.

- Story about Wally's mishap during a live show and handling different personalities.

Creative Side Projects and Personal Stories

- Wally’s involvement in creating cards for various personal events and celebrations.

- Mention of his sons’ careers and personal projects.

- Story about Wally’s interaction and relationship with fans and other industry figures.

Reflections and Philosophy

- Wally’s reflections on the stability and changes in the entertainment industry due to strikes and other disruptions.

- His philosophy on work ethic and the advice of being nice as pivotal to success.

- Scott and Wally’s shared experiences and appreciations for behind-the-scenes work.

Conclusion and Further Engagements

- Summary of the episode’s discussion points.

- Promotional mention of Wally's forthcoming book.

- Encouragement for listeners to visit Wally’s business website and explore his offerings.

- Closing remarks thanking Wally for his contributions and a nod to the viewers to stay creative.

Quotables

Longevity in Television Careers: "You're not supposed to work on the same TV show for for 34 years and plus and still going. You know? Like, how lucky is that too?"— Wally 00:30:00

Pursuing Creative Careers: "You need to make a decision. You need to leave cue cards and really focus on writing if you wanna really do that or commit fully to cue cards."— Wally 00:09:54

Wally Feresten Links & Bio

Meet Wally, a seasoned television professional whose career spans various high-profile productions. Wally's primary responsibilities are with two iconic shows, "Saturday Night Live" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers," both of which are conveniently located on the same floor, allowing him to seamlessly manage his duties. In his role, he adeptly coordinates and supervises the integration of these shows' elements, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Apart from his core commitments, Wally also oversees a small, efficient team dedicated to "The Tonight Show." He describes this team as being on "automatic pilot," attesting to their competence and his trust in their abilities to handle responsibilities with minimal intervention. This allows Wally the freedom to engage with diverse projects beyond his day-to-day tasks.

Adding variety to his career are the special assignments that take him around the country. Over the summer, Wally found himself in Miami for a shoot, and he also traveled to Toronto to work on a commercial featuring none other than Ryan Reynolds. These projects serve as exciting deviations from his routine, infusing his regular schedule with fresh experiences and challenges in the dynamic world of television production. Through it all, Wally remains enthusiastic and passionate, continually embracing the "spice" these opportunities bring to his professional life.

• https://cuecardsbywally.com/