AB - You’ve had so many outrageous experiences and situations that you endowed with humour. But it’s not all hilarity. How do you turn bad stuff into comedy?
CC - Ah, the bad stuff is the best place to mine for comedy gold. It’s the money shot of funny! Of course it’s easy to riff on events that are outrageous but turning bad stuff into comedy just requires a change in perspective….and time. It’s the old cliché: Tragedy plus time equals comedy. Tragedy is the pupa phase of the witty banter butterfly.
I obviously use comedy as a coping mechanism. Initially, my publisher accused me of hiding behind jokes…I assured him I wasn’t hiding, laughter saved my life on numerous occasions. It’s hard to hide behind jokes because there is always a morsel of truth to any punch line.
I have become a huge fan of dark comedy recently. No subject is taboo when trying to get through a heinous time in our lives. By making light of a nasty, horrible situation you illuminate its darkest corners and ultimately the matter becomes much less frightening and overwhelming. Dark comedy takes away the fear and minimizes the power of evil.
And tragedy plus time plus Coconut Mojitos equals really great comedy.
AB - It’s clear you spend a lot of time looking inside yourself, maybe more than most people. That seems ironic considering your balls out humour. How does that jive?
CC - Maybe I keep looking inside to find the prize! So far, nothing…not even a Count Chocula key ring but I remain hopeful. I would argue that this isn’t ironic. As my vocal coach is fond of saying: “It’s always an inside job”. No matter what your chosen profession, it always starts inside. You can’t go balls out with humour or anything else for that matter, until you discover your own, authentic voice. I’m a big believer in finding your soul’s G-spot. It couldn’t hurt and when you’re there, the fun begins.
AB - It’s striking and touching how devoted you are to your family and friends. Again, that seems the opposite of what people might expect of an ambitious comedian making her way in Hollywood.
CC - I am very blessed to be surrounded by incredible, wonderful, genuine people. I’m fond of saying that my family and friends is my best feature. (Unless they are pissing me off, then I have to go with my eyes…) Straight up: my family, friends, and dogs are what I value and cherish most in life. I would take a bullet for any of them (and with my hair and breasts, I could get hit with a little shrapnel and remain completely unscathed...) It’s imperative to have a solid base in this business. Otherwise you will end up like a former child star and knock off a liquor store high on meth after a bad review or another rejection. You can’t base your entire self-worth on your career, status or image because these things are all fleeting. If you anchor yourself to material possessions and public opinion, you’re sure to drown. I bet many of the most successful people value their relationships more than their 20 million dollar deals. Although I would welcome the chance to juggle both! I like shiny things too.
Check out Carla's comedy and more at www.carlacollins.com
Anne Brodie - I review films each week on Corus and Rogers TV and for Metro News Canada, AskMen.com and Monsters and Critics. I profile celebrities for ...
