Severance director Ben Stiller has explained why he's banned certain things on set from past productions he's worked on

Ben Stiller implemented a strict 'no phone' policy while directing the second season of 'Severance' to maintain focus and professionalism on set. Inspired by Noah Baumbach's methods, Stiller values an environment where actors are unhindered by outside distractions during intense scenes.

Most recently, Stiller has spent the last five years directing the workplace sci-fi drama Severance. Created by first-time writer Dan Erickson, the Apple TV+ series follows employees at the secretive Lumon Industries, who have voluntarily undergone a surgical procedure to bifurcate (or “sever”) their work and home lives.

Ben Stiller shared how Noah Baumbach’s directing style rubbed off on him while working on “Greenberg.” Stiller starred in Baumbach’s 2010 rom-com and recalled on Mike Birbiglia’s “Working It Out” podcast that the director had “no chairs” on set.

As a director, you want to protect that environment for the actors,” Stiller continued. “But by the way, you also have to be respectful of the crew. These people are actual

Actor-director Ben Stiller imposed a 'no phone' policy at the sets of 'Severance' during the making of the series, reported Variety. After a gap of almost three years, Ben Stiller's directorial 'Severance' made its return with the second season on Apple TV+ on February 18.