Video interview with Randall Einhorn (director of “Abbott Elementary”)

“I have two goals on set every day,” says Abbott Elementary’s principal Randall Einhorn. I want (creator and star) Quinta (Brunson) to say, “Randall, this is so stupid, let’s do it.” And I want (co-star) Ralph Lauren to call me 'baby.'” And does that happen most days? “That's true,” Einhorn replies. If that sounds like he loves his job, that's because he does. Einhorn has now directed 21 episodes of “Abbott” over three seasons, and he claims, “I feel very lucky that I get to go to work and act with really brilliant people and giggle. I mean, that's often the hardest part of our job – not laughing when you're not supposed to.” Einhorn spoke to Gold Derby as part of our “Meet the Emmy Nominees” television directors panel. Watch our exclusive video interview above.

Not that it's easy to shoot a mockumentary-style comedy series. The five-time Emmy nominee, who was nominated this year for both producer and director (his first), likes to talk about how people think the style he originally used as director and cinematographer on “The Office” is somehow easier than directing a conventional multi-camera sitcom. But he insists it's “absolutely the opposite.” Einhorn continues, “It's so much easier to just frame a regular show. You can put a camera wherever you want, you can put it in the optimal spot. That's not the case when shooting a mockumentary like 'Abbott.'”

Einhorn isn't complaining, though. “On 'The Office,' we've always said that what makes it harder actually makes it better. But for example, it's much better choreographed in terms of where the cameras move and how the characters move. There's a scene in the (Emmy-nominated) episode 'Party' where we're moving through a party of 35 people, and we're a camera crew and a focus puller and we're a big machine and it takes a lot of choreography and a lot of thought to pull that off and end up looking good. It's just harder to find those beautiful images. But I think once you do it, it's much more rewarding. In a conventional show, you don't actually often motivate the viewer to peek around a corner or duck under a blind so they can see people kissing, which is a really fun game. I always try to activate the viewer rather than just entertain them. I want them to be hungry to see more.”

Now that Abbott Elementary has found a certain rhythm, Einhorn is asked if working with the case and the crew gets easier or more enjoyable the longer he's on it – or if they get on each other's nerves more and more. “I think it's both,” he admits. “It gets easier and easier for us to do the show together. The thing is, you know what pitfalls there might be in any scene with any cast or crew member. You're just more aware of it and you have this shorthand and this language that's just fantastic.”

And while it may seem difficult to combine laughs and pathos in every episode like “Abbott” does, Einhorn believes that's the easy part — for both the writers and the directors. “I mean, those emotional moments are what keep viewers coming back,” he says. “You want to see what happens to (the characters) week after week. They're just as important, if not more important, than the jokes.”

“Abbott Elementary” received a total of 9 Emmy nominations this year. The series airs on ABC and streams on Hulu.

PREDICTIONS the 2024 Emmy winners until September 15

Make your predictions now at Gold Derby. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans as well as our experts and editors for the best prediction accuracy scores. Check out our latest prediction champions. Can you top our respected leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated as they influence our latest racetrack odds that strike fear into the hearts of Hollywood bosses and stars. Don't miss out on the fun. Have your say and share your angry opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz executives gather daily to follow the latest awards show buzz. Everyone wants to know: What do you think? Who are you predicting and why?

SIGN UP for the free Gold Derby newsletter with the latest forecasts