Ask Adam Savage: Which Previous Job Adam Would Do Again (and Again)?

Tested member Andrew Lewis asks Adam, "If you could set aside International fame and reputation for a few weeks of every year without penalty, which of your previous occupations would you choose?" (Spoiler alert: Adam's answer does not include MythBusters!) Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam a question:

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Adam will be answering more Tested member questions about his previous jobs in a LIVE STREAM on Tuesday, June 8, at 11 am PT! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam a question:

[iportfoliopromotions]

I found your name in an old program. What prop did you make for “Marisol” back in 1996 staged at the Bayfront Theater at Fort Mason?

[niceperson]

There's a book called Station Eleven that's a post apocalyptic book about a theatre troupe!! You'd absolutely love it

[lkjh]

"I'm not sure I enjoy international fame anymore"... he said to his 5.52 million subscribers... 😉👉

[microbuilder]

I remember seeing The Nutcracker as a little kid, definitely stuck in my memory much more than any movie or TV show I watched back then, especially the music.

[Vrijlansier]

Completely agree with Adam, have been fortunate to do the art direction of quite a few theatre productions and wished I could do many more, since there’s so much life, talent and creativity going on behind the scenes and on stage, haven’t found this amazing experience anywhere else so far. Great answer!

[joermnyc]

The best “cheap” effect in a small black box was “Tommy” by The Who. For the mirror on the set they managed to get hold of a full length piece of two-way mirror, so they could have older and younger Tommy looking at himself in the mirror if they back lit the glass, with the back light off it was just a mirror. When his mother finally loses it during and “Smash the Mirror” she grabs a chair and with great control barely misses actually destroying the glass as they cut the lights, and switched on strobes as older Tommy on stage and little Tommy in the mirror screamed, then when the lights came back up, the “broken” mirror was a clear shower curtain that looked like shattered glass mounted behind the glass. GENIUS!

[Electronics-Rocks]

Loved to see this as used to work in the theater before covid and looking forward to getting back. Such a true statement you said Adam. Except for panto my first theater experience was cats in 1983 as a school trip. Theaters will need everyone's support after lock down.

[Vickie-Bligh]

I am not surprised to hear you say that, Adam. The enthusiasm you hold for theater shines through every time you talk about it, visit a theater backstage, talk about your time in theater arts. It is obvious that is your first love: taking a script and bringing it to life in front of a live audience. And, there is nothing like having an audience respond to what you do on stage. Thanks for sharing your joy, passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge with us all. (And yes, you still hold International Fame. EVERYONE knows who Adam Savage is.) 😁

[Lord_Brocktree]

Oh I agree Adam! I grew up running around the Melodrama in Bakersfield, CA and cut my teeth in highschool and college tech work (specifically lighting and sound).
I often think about helping in a community theatre, but sadly where we are now, the old town theatre has been run down and most likely will be taken down. I hope that doesn't happen as it is a historical landmark up here in WA. But yes! Theatre!

[tristanbowman]

It's like the scene in "Reign of Fire" when the elders are acting out Star Wars for everyone in their underground cave home.

[Panthror]

Adam, don't worry you still have international fame. I'm Dutch and when I mention watching this channel, because you're on it, to my friends they know who you are, so you've at least retained your fame in The Netherlands.

[stevenb]

The theater apocalypse analogy reminds me of the Star Wars scene in Reign of Fire. Theater can be so much fun and would be so much more fun with no copyrights preventing so many stories being told.

[vampirica]

We are getting valuable life lessons from each of your answers, thank you 😊 Covid limitness did bring lots of unexpected pleasure of simplicity and seizing our limited options, that I weirdly enjoyed too. And having your life feel the way you want it is such an important life goal.

[ColinHuth]

“Theater is the first art form that would survive an apocalypse”

The show *Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play* is essentially this, and utterly phenomenal. Shot a great student production of it at PlayMakers Rep, the concept deserves so much more recognition.

[Ianjowett]

so well said, as a mfx artist ive retired to being a consultant and help a new generation and had this very conversation this afternoon . i pass on experience and ways and means and i find that so enjoyable

[pontushenkel]

Thank you for that amazing homage to theatre. Among many lovely interest and passion in my life, it is theatre that makes my heart skip and my soul burn the brightest. And in a time of instability, your words has inspired me this evening and made me feel hopeful for what the future holds. I thank you!

[SaturnCanuck]

Adam that was a very good point about theatre after the apocalypse. It reminds me of the last scene of Mad Mac Beyond Thunderdome when the kids, now older, do the "Tells". So true.

[gmgurp]

I've also noticed the difference that the last year had. I dabbled with writing for over a decade. Without the social distractions I finally buckled down and got one idea to novel length. Isolation isn't just about stasis, it can also be a great time to change and grow, without the expectations of others to try to meet.

[theonlymegumegu]

one of the things i keep talking about to people as the biggest silver lining to COVID for me is the complete reset of my schedule. it was liberating to start fresh. and one of the things i want to commit to is not having prearranged plans every single weekend. my goal going forward is to shoot for 2 weekends a month being unscheduled. maybe things can happen spontaneously, but i don't want to just fill up my calendar with commitments as a matter of course.