By admin 
What began as Jeremy Garelick’s audacious vision to transform a derelict high school in upstate New York into a premier destination for coming-of-age comedy filmmaking has blossomed into a remarkable success story, culminating in a significant 28-episode Netflix order for "Minimum Wage." Founded in 2017, American High, along with its digital arm American High Shorts launched in 2022, has operated on a simple yet potent philosophy: gather the funniest individuals, place them in a collaborative environment, and allow their comedic genius to flourish, whether on streaming platforms like Hulu or in bite-sized short-form sketches. This innovative approach has propelled the young talent discovered through American High to unprecedented heights, proving that raw comedic talent, nurtured and amplified, can achieve global recognition.
The journey of "Minimum Wage" from a shoestring YouTube web series to a Netflix flagship program is a testament to American High’s groundbreaking strategy. Initially produced for under $2,000 and posted on YouTube in May 2024, the series has now secured a coveted spot on the streaming giant. Variety exclusively reported in April that Netflix had greenlit the show, and now, in a further exclusive, it can be revealed that the first 14 episodes of "Minimum Wage" are slated for a premiere on Netflix on October 26th. This trajectory exemplifies American High’s commitment to empowering emerging creators and their willingness to embrace unconventional pathways to success in the entertainment industry.
"It’s the same philosophy we have with film, but in the digital space. If someone’s doing something cool, we’ll just amplify it without all the gatekeeping," explains American High president Will Phelps. He elaborates on their disruptive model, stating, "It’s the model that other people were too afraid to do. And now turn the page, everyone wants to give those creators $10 million to make the next ‘Obsession.’ I think we were probably just there five years earlier." This foresight allowed American High to build a robust talent pipeline and a dedicated audience before the current industry-wide scramble for fresh comedic voices.
Garelick further emphasizes the company’s proactive stance, contrasting it with the more cautious approach of established studios. "Unlike all the studios and giant companies that like to just be reactive and see what’s working, they don’t want to take chances on first-time directors or actors," he notes. This commitment is evident in American High’s filmography, which frequently features debut directors, including notable talents like Jillian Bell and Jason Orley, giving them crucial opportunities to hone their craft on significant projects.
For Garelick, the partnership with Netflix felt like a natural progression, given his prior successful collaborations with the streamer, including directing the 2023 Adam Sandler film "Murder Mystery 2" and the series "Best Worst Weekend Ever." He views the Netflix deal as "the biggest opportunity we’ve had at American High in terms of getting our stuff to the broadest audience." This expansive reach is crucial for an organization dedicated to democratizing access to the film and television industry.
The transition to a major Netflix series, while exhilarating, also brought its own set of pressures. However, the core ethos of collaboration that defined the original "Minimum Wage" web series remained intact. Garelick and Phelps served as showrunners, but cast members were actively encouraged to contribute as writers and directors for their own episodes. This participatory approach fostered a unique creative environment, allowing the cast to deeply invest in the show’s narrative and comedic direction.
Grace Reiter, a cast member in "Minimum Wage," describes the experience as a seamless extension of American High’s established digital practices. "What an amazing first experience in a writers’ room and directing your friends. We already built such a language working with each other, it’s like second nature," she says. "It felt totally comfortable to pitch things in the room and to say not funny things and to get ideas turned down." This comfort level, born from years of shared creative endeavors on digital platforms, allowed for a highly efficient and innovative production process, even with the increased scope of a Netflix series.
The opportunity for cast members to direct episodes proved to be an invaluable learning experience. Reiter explains, "It was just maybe coordinating camera movements a little bit more because now we have two cameras. We were more used to, obviously, the vertical frame and cross-shooting, but we tried to carry over all the things that made our digital sketches and web series popular." This ability to adapt their established visual language to a more complex production environment underscores their adaptability and skill.
The original "Minimum Wage" web series centered on the relatable struggles of overworked teenagers attempting to manage a pizza shop, a classic workplace comedy premise that resonated with its audience. The returning cast, including Reiter, Aidan Micho, Hyde Healy, Julia Dicesare, Luke Burke, Ryan Micho, and Tommy Armstrong, brings a seasoned chemistry to the Netflix adaptation. Reiter fondly recalls the original’s "very scrappy, very homemade" charm, highlighting the authentic, DIY spirit that fueled its initial success.
For Garelick and Phelps, "Minimum Wage" is more than just a single project; it represents a potent example of how their digital content can serve as a springboard for larger intellectual property development. American High benefits from a substantial and engaged online following, with its American High Shorts TikTok account boasting an impressive 2.6 million followers and accumulating over 248 million likes. This built-in audience provides a significant advantage, allowing for organic promotion and a direct connection with potential viewers.
Tristan Hall, American High’s head of digital, likens the company’s online sketch videos to "a Gen Z version of ‘SNL.’" He details a highly efficient production cycle: brainstorming sessions kick off on Mondays, followed by a writers’ room on Tuesdays, and production taking place from Wednesday through Friday. This rapid content creation pipeline allows them to quickly test and iterate on ideas. "The nice thing about social media is you do get that instant verification," Hall explains. "Within 24 hours, we’ll know if the idea is something we want to revisit." This data-driven approach ensures that their content remains relevant and engaging for their target demographic.
American High’s marketing strategy leans heavily on organic social media engagement, eschewing traditional advertising in favor of cultivating a direct relationship with their audience. The success of "Pizza Movie," starring Gaten Matarazzo of "Stranger Things," exemplifies this approach. After its premiere at SXSW in March, the film, released on Hulu in April, became one of the company’s most talked-about titles online, demonstrating the power of their social media presence in driving viewership. Surina Belk-Gupta, American High’s social media manager, notes that while studios assist with traditional marketing, "we cover the social media side of things." She adds, "’Pizza Movie’ was a game changer for us in how we can use our company brand in film marketing."
The company’s commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond its digital content creators. Jon Hurwitz, a producing partner on the 2021 high school comedy "Plan B," was drawn to American High’s Syracuse hub and its resource facilities. He was particularly impressed by "the youth, which is wonderful," remarking on "a bunch of young people who were passionate and hardworking, getting experience in the film business." This emphasis on providing hands-on experience has been a cornerstone of American High’s operation since the establishment of its Academy at American High program in 2018. This initiative offers film students from institutions like Syracuse University, Ithaca College, and Onondaga Community College invaluable internship and on-set work opportunities. The program’s success is evident in the burgeoning demand, with Garelick estimating that over 1,500 students apply for internships each semester.
American High has cultivated a loyal internal network, often promoting from within. Matt Sacca, who began as Garelick’s first intern, has ascended to head of development and is now writing a comedy titled "Second First Date" for the company. Phelps himself started as Garelick’s assistant in 2014, and Hall joined as a creative intern in 2022, illustrating a culture that values growth and recognizes dedication.
Established filmmakers and producers who have collaborated with Garelick on projects like "The Hangover" and "The Wedding Ringer" recognize and trust the caliber of talent he is cultivating. This trust is invaluable, as demonstrated by Hurwitz’s plan to tap into American High’s talent pool for upcoming projects. "We’re working on the latest ‘Harold and Kumar’ movie and there are going to be some young characters in that," Hurwitz reveals. "Jeremy’s going to be one of my calls where I’ll have him read the script and say, ‘Hey, are there people in your ecosystem that you think would be great?’"
Beyond the highly anticipated "Minimum Wage" series, American High is making a significant foray into theatrical releases with its upcoming film, "Rolling Loud." Starring Owen Wilson and Matt Rife, and written by Garelick, the movie is set for release on October 2nd through distributor Ketchup Entertainment. Garelick expresses a strong belief in the theatrical viability of comedies, stating, "We’re going to always write and make the funniest movies that we believe deserve a theatrical release. We just did ‘Pizza Movie’ that I am 1000% certain would’ve crushed in the theater just because I’ve sat through several screenings." He acknowledges that their first-look deal with Hulu currently limits some films to streaming but remains optimistic about the future of comedy in cinemas, asserting, "It’s just a matter of when distributors realize that comedies do actually work [in theaters] if they’re funny."
"Rolling Loud," which follows a father and son attending a hip-hop festival in Miami, represents a departure from American High’s typical filming locations. The limited availability of suitable soundstages in Syracuse necessitated filming on location in Miami during an actual Rolling Loud concert. While Garelick remains open to expanding filming beyond Syracuse, he values the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of utilizing local resources and crew, noting, "It’s just so easy for us to get things up and running – we know every location. We can read a script and be like, ‘We’ll shoot that here, this would cost this much.’" This intimate knowledge of their operational base allows for streamlined production and cost control.
The ripple effect of American High’s talent development is evident in the career trajectories of its members. Luke Burke, a cast member in "Minimum Wage," first connected with Garelick when he visited Burke’s Syracuse University screenwriting class in 2022. Impressed by Burke’s spec script, Garelick hired him as an on-set punch-up writer for "Rolling Loud." Burke describes the experience as an "insane learning experience," feeling "part of the process" on a large feature film set.
Similarly, members of American High’s sketch comedy teams are already making their mark on other productions. Reiter, for instance, appeared alongside Tim Robinson in his HBO comedy "The Chair Company," noting that the set’s atmosphere felt remarkably similar to a scrappy American High shoot. "The vibes were similar. As a creative, it’s important to surround yourself with people who you trust. It really was, ‘They’re friends!’" Reiter shares. "In between, they were watching audition tapes and then they’d talk about the [basketball] game, sitting there and making each other laugh. And that’s all I’ve ever wished and hoped for – just to make funny things with my friends." This sentiment encapsulates the core of American High’s success: fostering a collaborative, joyful environment where creativity thrives.
As American High prepares for the upcoming academic year, a new cohort of interns and aspiring filmmakers will join its ranks, further expanding the company’s unique ecosystem. Garelick reflects on the unintentional yet highly effective nature of their business model: "We created an accidental ecosystem that has really helped every aspect of our business. It wasn’t like we were doing this on purpose. We were just trying to do what was fun for us." This organic growth, driven by passion and a commitment to genuine comedic talent, has positioned American High as a formidable force in the entertainment landscape, consistently discovering, nurturing, and launching the next generation of comedic storytellers.
