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'Eighth Grade' Brings Back Memories at the 2018 Summer KCET Cinema Series

July 12, 2018
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Following a screening of “Eighth Grade”, writer/director Bo Burnham and actress Elsie Fisher attended a Q&A hosted by Cinema Series host Pete Hammond. Kayla is a normal thirteen-year-old who manages to tolerate the pressure of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school and the end of her disastrous eighth grade year. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

In 2006, writer/director Bo Burnham became an overnight sensation when he videotaped himself performing two songs and posted them on YouTube to share with his family. His music and performances tackle such subjects as race, gender, sex and religion.

Burnham recorded a performance in London for Comedy Central's "The World Stands Up" in 2008 and signed a four-record deal with Comedy Central Records. Burnham has performed all over the United States including Cobb's Comedy Club, YouTube Live in San Francisco, Caroline's Comedy Club in New York City as well as Edinburgh, Scotland and Montreal, Canada.

"Eighth Grade" is Burnham’s directorial debut. He is also known for his work on "Bo Burnham," "Words Words Words," "what.," "Funny People," "Zach Is Gonna Be Famous" and "Make Happy."

Actress Elsie Fisher is best known as the voice of Agnes in the first two "Despicable Me" movies. Fisher’s other work includes the films "Training Wheels," "McFarland, USA" and TV shows such as "Mike & Molly" and "Medium" among many others.

Listen to the Q&A and browse photos from the screening below.

Writer/Director Bo Burnham and Actress Elsie Fisher after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
Writer/Director Bo Burnham and Actress Elsie Fisher after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
1/3 Writer/Director Bo Burnham and Actress Elsie Fisher after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
Cinema Series host Pete Hammond, Actress Elsie Fisher and Writer/Director Bo Burnham participate in a Q&A after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
Cinema Series host Pete Hammond, Actress Elsie Fisher and Writer/Director Bo Burnham participate in a Q&A after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
2/3 Cinema Series host Pete Hammond, Actress Elsie Fisher and Writer/Director Bo Burnham participate in a Q&A after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
Actress Elsie Fisher and Writer/Director Bo Burnham take questions from the audience after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
Actress Elsie Fisher and Writer/Director Bo Burnham take questions from the audience after a screening of "Eighth Grade"
3/3 Actress Elsie Fisher and Writer/Director Bo Burnham take questions from the audience after a screening of "Eighth Grade"

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