One of the great things about the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is that you get a chance to see what Americans think is funny. Upset Triangle are four guys from Jersey City who are making the trip north this week to make us laugh. As with most people in the entertainment industry, especially those from the New York area, the Upset Triangle team have their fingers in many entertainment pies. They have been seen on G4TV, Comedy Central, TBS.com, New York Television Festival, Atom.com, Comcast On Demand, Channel 101, and Channel Frederator. Check ‘em out.
Q. What can audiences expect from an Upset Triangle show?
A. Chaos and Confusion. A simple way to explain our show is we’re the American Mighty Boosh, replace the songs with special effects and animation. Our live show is a mix of alternative and traditional sketch that mixes videos and cartoons. Similar in format to Mr. Show but with a surreal imagination. We’ve done plenty of research on Toronto. We’re all experts now on the city.
Q. How do you guys write, create material and ultimately finalize the sketches and material that you put out?
A. We write a script, then act it out and improvise, then rewrite. We act it out again and take out the parts that aren’t necessary or add more jokes. We do it live and based off that we rewrite and change parts. The sketches can change dramatically over time but if they work, then nothing needs to change. Our sketches are heavy on how we feel when we are performing. We love to go off script and explore where the sketch can go.
Q. You guys have really embraced the web in getting your content out to the world. Have you found web videos to be a successful endeavor for your group?
A. It turns your work into a viable commodity that you can potentially pitch to online media companies or tv executives. It’s crucial to have your work on the internet especially if you’re doing sketch comedy.
Q. For one of your other projects, Redeeming Rainbow, you have Kristen Schaal cast as one of the potential characters. Is she a friend of yours? What is the deal with her?
A. I’m friends with Kristen and Kurt who voiced Rainbow. They have a great variety show in nyc called Hot Tub and a great web series called Penelope Princess of Pets that Pat, Rob, and myself all worked on. I first worked with Kristen on my tv pilot, The Calderons, where she acted along side an animatronic handicapped robot in a wheelchair. There is no one else like Kristen, she’s a great person.
Q. Jersey Shore vs. The Sopranos. Discuss.
A. First off, We’re all insulted by this question. Second: Jersey is way more corrupt than it is tacky. Sopranos all the way. Wonderfully acted, written, and shot. Has Steve Buscemi. The Jersey Shore should be retitled “Staten Islanders” because more than half the cast aren’t Jersey natives.
Catch Upset Triangle Here:
Thursday, Nov.4, 9pm – Lower Ossington Theatre
Friday, Nov.5, 8pm – Comedy Bar
- Dan