The Paradigm Case: An Interview with Yannis Pappas

This week the Paradigm Case endorses the comedy of

The Paradigm Case recently caught up with Yannis and asked him some questions about life & comedy:

Yannis, tell me more about your role in ‘King of B’ … Preparation, mind-state, what its like memorizing lines as opposed to improvising ?

“King of B” was the first time I starred in anything that was more than 10 minutes long and wasn’t a straight comedy, so it was a very good experience.  I really want to do drama one day- all comedians say that!  It was a dark comedy at best, so the director allowed me to take over some scenes with some improv but the dialogue was great so I really tried to nail that too.  In the movie I play a mentally ill actor who is obsessed with Kurt Russell so I watched every Kurt Russell movie I could find to prepare.  We had virtually no budget so we got very creative and collaborative, it was hard work and a lot of fun.  Acting is one of my passions as well as filmmaking and stand up comedy.

Everywhere I travel and perform I have to adapt to the local population and culture.  I am a traveling laugh-giver so I try to meet the audience on their terms as much as I can so they will meet me on mine.  I usually riff about where I am and do a lot of research about where I am when I go there, it is just one of those things I started doing and never stopped I guess because I love to learn about places so i kill two birds with one stone.  I learn about the place and people and also it helps me riff during my act where ever I may be and the people really appreciate that you took the time to really know them.