Mi Familia, My Laughter
I grew up in a crazy family. Non stop jokes, drinking and drama. But sabes que? There was and still is a lot of love there. Rod Reyes is a stand up comic who's work is smart, funny and atypical. He is currently shopping a feature script, performing regularly and making waves with his rapping alter ego Geriatrixx. I (Angel McClinton) think Rod is a tremendous talent, but I may be biased, he's my brother. Check him out for yourself in HMO and Da Shell Game.
I am what is known as an observational comic. There are several sub genres of stand up, and the most famous example of observational comedy is Jerry Seinfeld. What sets me somewhat apart from most is that I try to mix aggressive, assertive political, moral, and philosophical opinions into my act. For example, I have a joke about Americans taking paid holidays, and state that we would celebrate Hitler's birthday if we were getting paid. The overwhelmingly positive reaction (in laughs) I get to this routine affirms the truth which gives the joke its life.
I started doing stand up as a contributing writer for our brother, the late, and yes, great Rick Aviles. I honestly believe that had Rick lived, he would have a television show, and that I would be a writer on that show. It was pretty fulfilling to watch him perform routines and jokes that I had written on stage and on television. I knew that I could write first class material. Of course, I had always felt that I was funny. While not a terribly charismatic or "likeable" presence, I could always say something, usually sarcastic, that would make both friends and strangers laugh out loud. What I lacked was Rick's utter lack of inhibition, his courage to take risks, and his ability to absorb the pain of rejection, and to mask the pain that he felt. Thin skin is not an asset for a comic. Rick got me my first stage time. I bombed terribly, but managed, in spite of myself, to get some laughs. I knew my material was strong enough to survive my poor performing skills, and I was hooked. I've been doing stand up for 15 years now.
My creative process....I wish that I could say it was organized and structured. Would that I had a schedule, and woke up each morning to run, work out, read, write, etc. I have to say that as far as comedy is concerned, I create humor in much the same way as black americans created blues/jazz/gospel during slavery. Most of my best work was accomplished while I was at work, wishing I were anywhere else but, and trying to pass the time by making anyone unlucky enough to be next to me laugh. My excellent friend Steve Peters said that in order to work with me, you had to have a coat hanger in your mouth (to stretch and sustain the smile). I do try to be a little more structured when writing screenplays, but for comedy, I'll simply say something and hope for a reaction, or hear something funny. Step one is always to write it down, even if it's just one word that will trigger a memory. When I have a chance, I write it out and then edit it into a very few sentences that can be performed on stage.
What inspires me? Where do my ideas come from? LIFE. It's really as simple as that. I am not an artist yet, but I am a craftsman, and as such, I am merely trying to hone the skills I will need to someday become an artist. I don't know many artists who DO NOT use life as an inspiration. Even creators of science fiction or gothic legends are merely mirroring a reverse image of the life we know. Hobbits are just midgets, and elves and fairies are the embodiment of our spiritual nature. I try to talk about the things I know, and when I venture into areas I don't know, I focus on what it is I don't understand about the topics rather than making a blanket statement.
The biggest obstacle to my success is still my age, as I didn't begin performing until I was forty. As it often takes fifteen years or so to become really competent, I am looking at some kind of breakthrough that will make me a star at sixty. Ye Gods!
I suppose I call myself latino, though in all honesty, I couldn't tell you the difference between that and a hispanic. All of these are just labels, and I don't spend too much time thinking about it, and the God that created us doesn't think about it at all.