Atul Singh Q&A - It's Hammer Time! (Patreon)

Yesterday our Producer Atul Singh dropped into the Discord server to chat with patrons - thanks to everyone who joined in. He has also answered a whole bunch of questions that you submitted. So, here's what he had to say...

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First off - thanks for all the questions, folks.  :)

Second, I didn't see any questions here about my co-star role on the Season 2 Finale of 'Seal Team' on CBS. Oh, we are not discussing that right now. OK. And nothing about my Just For Laughs video about 'Bachelors on Boats'. Hmm. (Well, you should definitely check out the video above)

Anyway - lets gets to your questions:

What was your initial impression of Epic Rap Battles of History as a series? Did the concept immediately click with you?

I loved the series from the get go. I liked it when I watched Lennon vs O'Reilly and had to google some of the references to understand the jokes. I was in. I love things that make me want to learn more. Before I started working with ERB, I was working for Lloyd at the Westside Comedy Theater. He mentioned the project he was working on and asked if I wanted to join Pete and his team part-time. I said sure!! The first video I worked on was Billy Mays vs Benjamin Franklin. I helped out Patrick McIntyre and the production team - and from there I just got more and more involved.

How did you get the nickname 'The Hammer' - who assigned it to you?

Someone working on the Behind The Scenes footage came up with it and I am not sure if I am a fan of it. I feel like now that I have said that, more people will call me that. But please - just call me Atul.

What’s been the weirdest production challenge you’ve come across for ERB?

We have had a few of them.  I remember when we did Houdini vs Copperfield  Pete and Lloyd had the shot where they wanted Houdini hanging upside down. I really would have loved to cheat that shot or figure out another way. But, the only way it worked was with Lloyd being actually upside down and hanging from his feet. So, then the company made us bring in structural engineers and safety experts to make sure the beam could hold Lloyd.  And we had another few safety precautions that we had to do that I won't get into. At the time it was annoying and frustrating. In the long run, it was absolutely necessary and a great learning opportunity. 

What were your favorite props over the years?

When we did the episode where Hitler was in carbonite. That prop was made by Mary (and maybe Morgan too). It was just beautiful. The guns are also cool and we usually rent them and there is a whole set of procedures, safety and insurance when you rent a gun. You have to be very careful.

Have any of your costume suggestions made it to a battle?

No. Rarely. My suggestions are always like "get the cheaper one" or "how much does that cost... ok get the cheaper one" or "those reds look the same, get the cheaper one" or "Morgan, get the one that will make the receipt easier to read and transfer.... but only if it's cheaper."

You are a voice of organization in a group that looks like it can be very creative and chaotic. If I am one of the chaotic creatives in my own organization, how can I make things less stressful for the more structured people?

I think the fact you are asking this question makes you a great team player. Our job on the production & admin side is to clear the way for you as a Creative. We want you to do what you do best all the time. So, if you have a hurdle that is annoying let us know. I would prefer that Pete and Lloyd never have to do any paperwork and focus on beats, lyrics, mixing, tracking, acting, directing, editing, etc. 

How excited were you when you got to cameo in a battle? 

I am always sooooooooooooo f'in excited about being a cameo. It's an honor every time. I have been very fortunate. I was even one of the McDonalds hands that shook hands with Gorbachev and I lost my mind when I was asked. My cameos are even listed on my IMDB profile, haha. Wait, are we here to talk about my role in the Season 2 Finale for Seal Team. Oh No. OK. Never mind. ;)

Do you have any interest in ever appearing as a title character in a future video? 

Man, oh man. I feel like everyone would love to be a title character. It looks like so much fun.  I know there are long days, but it's always amazing to see Pete and Lloyd in costume doing their thing. And my rap skills are there.  

What are some of your favorite ERB videos?

This is extremely difficult to answer.  I could probably tell you some of my top 15.  But again, if you mentioned an episode that I missed, I would probably add it to my list.  Each one since I have been involved have some unique characteristic that I love.  I will name five in no particular order and these are just five that I love (not my top five):  

(1) Deadpool vs Boba Fett: I loved the beat, lyrics and it was the first one where I was the Producer, so that one holds a very special place for me. I do go back and watch the dance battle of that episode. Those two actors could really dance!!

(2) Bill Nye vs Sir Issac Newton: Amazing battle. Love the science references. Seeing and working with Weird Al was legendary. It was Weird Al!! 

(3) Stephen Hawking vs Albert Einstein: One of the first ERB videos I saw. This was before i was brought onto the team. I thought it was great. Again, I love the science ones.  

(4) Chuck Norris vs Abe Lincoln: Another great one from Season 1. I love the lyrics, the costumes and I really love the gold teeth that Lincoln wears.  

(5) Gandhi vs Martin Luther King Jr: I don't like other people doing Indian accents, but Keegan-Michael Key is amazing and I think he nailed it. Both he and Jordan Peele were fantastic to work with. I loved the cool black & white and in-color shot.  

Honestly, I could keep going.  If you ever see me in person , tell me which you like and I will tell you why I love it.  Each one has it's own special place.  

Would you ever rap against Morgan in a episode of Flash in the Pan?

He would be dead! It doesn't matter where: flash in the pan, the street, alley, Grind Time, wherever. Has he been bad mouthing me? :)

You’ve mentioned your wardrobe is pretty constant (polo and khakis). Do you ever just wear a T-shirt or jeans?

Rarely. In the house, maybe. I am wearing khakis and a polo right now.

Are you a fan of any sports teams?

I am a Dallas Cowboys fan. Then Texas Longhorns, Mavs, Chelsea, Indian cricket, Clippers, Rangers, Dodgers. I love sports

Do you miss anyone from the pre-independence ERB era?

There were a lot of great people who part of the team. Michelle was the producer I reported to and she was amazing to work for. She taught me a lot. Her promotion led to Pete, Lloyd and her offering me the job. There were a lot of people on the production side: Shaun, Mickey, Patrick, Matt, Raf... I shouldn't name people because I know I am missing people's names already. There have been so many great people who touched ERB in some way. 

Which historical figure do you want to see most in a future ERB? 

Oooh. Good question. This is tough. Just pulling names randomly: Nelson Mandela,  Franklin D Roosevelt, Mao Zedong, Sir Francis Drake, Marco Polo, Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie. This list could go on and on. And in the long run, it depends on the comments that you people put in. For instance, I didn't know who Goku was... and I would keep seeing it in comments over and over again. Then I started googling Goku (and Morgan gave me a crash course on Dragon Ball Z). But, that's what the comments do, they help cast a wide, really f'in wide, net.  

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Thank you to everyone who submitted questions. We will host another Q&A soon.