Growing up I wasn't allowed to watch The Simpsons, but Monty Python was fine. You just have to roll with the punches and grow, because it is growing even if it doesn't seem like it. Every laugh becomes a want and if you keep the people laughing, they'll just come back for more. Now, I can't say if it's stable being a stand-up comedian in India or not. For some, I'm sure it is, for others maybe it's not; yet. That 'yet' part is what changes everything.
1. How and when did you choose comedy as a career?
It's funny because I never really said comedy is what I'm going to do. Growing up we had a pretty rough time and much of it was me raising my little brother on my own. So, to distract from certain negative things surrounding us, I used to try to entertain and make him laugh. I'd put on little comedy skits, dress up, do silly voices and we'd also watch movies together. And that's where it happened for me; movies. I loved movies.
At that time I loved comedy, fantasy, and horror movies the most; and many horror films in the 80/the 90s would even have comedy or funny one-liners in them. So, I got my hands on an 8MM camera and started making goofy home movies with anyone I could. Then as time went on, I grew up and went to school for broadcasting and eventually landed into the YouTube comedy scene doing parody and sketch comedy.
That was the real start of my career in comedy, and since then I've been all over the place with different genres and mediums, but comedy has always been a main staple and focus of my work and always will be.
2. What type of content do you enjoy producing the most and is the most challenging?
I love producing entertaining stories, give me a good-well developed story and I'm there. But, apart from that I really enjoy producing comedies - preferably in the vein of satire or absurdist humor, because that's my little area I play in. But, truth be told - it's hard to find the right audience because comedy is subjective.
And sadly, some people aren't as open to try or watch a comedy film with unknown comedians or without a major studio behind it. So indie-comedy is rough. But I still love it and I hope as this new era of digital short-form comedy grows (TikTok, YouTube, etc) maybe that will help to open people up to indie-comedy at least the same way that they're open to indie-horror.
3. Do you prefer digital as a medium or do you enjoy doing live gigs more and why?
Live gigs! Live gigs! Live gigs! - Did I say that enough? As grateful as I am for this digital age, I just feel Zoom shows or digital shows aren't for me. Most of my comedy falls into feeling the moment and the energy of the room. A dead camera is just that; dead. If it was a sketch then that's fine, but I want to feel the audience when I do stand-up.
I love that feeling. Will I bomb? Is this funny? How will I pilot myself through this storm? It's a ride and each time is different. Some comedians have truly adapted and excelled at digital comedy and that's fantastic and there's nothing wrong with a Zoom show. It's me that's the problem. However, now that I'm exploring the world of podcasting it led me to a new digital audio app that I enjoy.
So, now I'm always on this new app called 'Clubhouse' and it's been wonderful for digital comedy, as well as, networking. When I first got on it, I wasn't thinking about shows. I was just hanging out and meeting so many wonderful people. Which led to me hanging out in a comedy room with comedian, Josh Sneed, and eventually our usual weekly hangouts in that club faded away and he went on to open 'The Comedy Lounge' with another brilliant comedian, Scott Henry. - And thankfully Josh brought me into their club and it's been amazing.
I love it so much because it's just different, it's not a Zoom show, it's just audio; like a live podcast and everyone is invited. So, that's a different digital that I've done or just been there for a bunch of shows with them, but it's not really stand-up, it has a strong blend of programming.
There are nights that's just networking and sharing stories as if you're back in a green room, then there are other nights with a guest speaker, then there are interactive shows for people who just love comedy, and silly impressions, and street jokes, and learning to make apple pies. That last one is a joke, but it could be coming soon, you never know with Clubhouse. To wrap it up, if you're on Clubhouse, truly go check out the Comedy Lounge and give them a follow, you won't regret it, and that's usually where you'll find me when it comes to digital venues.
4. People who are interested in taking up stand-up comedy as a profession, do they need a funny bone or can they develop one?
How dare you even think about getting into comedy; there are already too many comedians! - joking again. But, honestly who's to say? Comedy is subjective and stems from a selfish nature. Not in a bad way though. - But I see it like this, you do comedy because it makes you laugh first, then it makes you feel good when other people laugh.
Meaning that comedy is for yourself first and always; because that's where it comes from. Comedy becomes "for the people" only when you choose it to be; then it's up to them to decide, if it's for them or not. Also, try to remember people change over time and so will you and you're "funny bone". So, really if you think you want to be a comedian, then start with what's funny for you - eventually, if you keep at it, you'll grow and find your audience. A great way to sharpen yourself is to read the joke over and over and over again, then perform that joke over and over again.
Find friends that will listen to your comedy and accept honest feedback, while knowing it's subjective because it is. - And if you want additional help, download the Clubhouse app, look up Laugh Factory Comedy Shop and give it a follow. It's the Laugh Factory's official comedy workshop and it's an amazing and free workshop for aspiring stand-up comedians.
It's run by the amazing Corinne Irizarry, and she's been amazing to help build up new comedians. You never know who will pop in and help you run some of your material. - Now I feel like an advertisement for Clubhouse. I should start charging them.
5. How stable is being a stand-up comedian as a profession in India? And what is the future of this profession?
I couldn't really say, but I hope it has a bright future because it really should! Everyone loves to laugh, and with YouTube, Amazon, Netflix it's only going to keep growing and opening more doors and minds. Every country has its own blend or brand or type of comedy. Yes. Some countries have more censorship than others, but hey, so do parents.
Growing up I wasn't allowed to watch The Simpsons, but Monty Python was fine. You just have to roll with the punches and grow, because it is growing even if it doesn't seem like it. Every laugh becomes a want and if you keep the people laughing, they'll just come back for more. Now, I can't say if it's stable being a stand-up comedian in India or not. For some, I'm sure it is, for others maybe it's not; yet. That 'yet' part is what changes everything.
6. What impact do you want to make in the world?
I honestly don't ever think about things like that. I wish I could, but I don't have that type of power. I'm more of a "one person at a time" type of thinker. I'm happy to help someone if I'm able. Maybe I can leave them with a smile or a laugh.
Maybe I can point them in the right direction that ends up helping them. But that's all I can do. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll have made someone laugh after I'm long dead. That's good enough for me. But who knows, maybe I'll find a space rock and get superpowers or become a world leader one day. - Then we can circle back to that question, but for now, let's just aim to never cause harm to someone and leave everyone healthy and happy.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
"Who said I could read?"
But all jokes aside. Sadly nowadays, I don't read many books. I do however read a ton of scripts. When I was growing up I loved 'Beowulf', which even became my nickname for some teachers because they'd catch me re-reading it in class hidden inside my school books.
I couldn't tell you why it was my favorite though. It might have a deeper meaning that even I don't realize. But, if I had to look at it now and guess; maybe it was because no matter what came at him he'd fight to overcome it. - Or something like that.
Ewan Gotfryd - Emmy Award-winning Filmmaker and Comedian
Social Media: @GotEwan (Instagram, Twitter, Clubhouse)
Interviewed By: Navya Garg
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