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by Kuki Mendoza

Humorous Interpretations From Dramas

Being original does not necessarily mean trying to erect something from nothing.  Originality can spring from being clever and placing a new twist on a preexisting item.  Taking this concept and applying it to a Humorous Interpretation piece can add the zing which is often missing.  This little twist can be as simple as interpreting a well-known character in a non-traditional way (how often has Watson been delivered as a fat, bumbling fellow until 2009 when Jude Law gave the clever doctor the credit he deserves?) or as extravagant as revamping a story entirely (see the evolution of Batman from television to Burton to Nolan–not comedic, but a good example).  A choice you can make as you select your Humorous Interpretation piece can be to take a common, dramatic story plot, throw it into a chrysalis of humor, and watch the metamorphosis transpire.

Advantages:

Unique. This Humorous Interpretation treatment is unique because you stand to potentially have the only funny interpretation of ——- around.  There is no competing with other Humorous Interpretations to see who has the better cutting and interp of “insert popular HI here.” Most HI’s are found through looking into humorous plays or short stories.  These crossovers are done from love, take an exuberant number of hours to perfect, and thus few seek out this type of piece.

Showcase of skill. If you posses the talent and dedication to take a dramatic piece, regardless of how easy it is to spoof (E.G. Twillight), and transform it into a gut-busting Humorous Interpretation then you are a true Forensicator.  Everything from the cutting, the interpretation, the characterization, EVERYTHING needs to be modified enough to add the edge of comedy while retaining the heart of the source material–and all this is asked as well as creating a good piece.  If you have the patience to do this, then you deserve a solid rank and a chorus of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.

Ridiculous fun. How many times have you been watching a great drama, or a poor melodrama disguised as a drama, and found yourself laughing?  Perhaps not while watching, but after viewing and you could laugh again?  Case in point: There Will Be Blood is a brilliant drama yet that milkshake speech, once you get over the chilling horror which is that scene, is HILARIOUS when quoted amongst friends.  Movies you love to hate are also wonderful targets if you can get over having to work with the source material.  Some dramas beg to be spoofed–either from love or from a desire to show the world how that movie is ridiculous.  Regardless, you are in for great fun if you find a project you adore and want to throw yourself into bringing out the comedy.

Built in fan-base. If you select a piece wisely, one that people love yet humor can be easily spotted, then you might be able to create a fan-base quickly.  Deliver a great performance, make the crowd laugh over a story they love, and you have a captivated audience who will cheer you and advertise your piece to others.  People are prone to go to Humorous Interpretation final rounds anyway, but tell them there is a funny interp of The Matrix and intrigue of what you will do will peek interest and draw Matrix fanboys and fangirls.

Disadvantages:

Groupie Hate. That Humorous Interpretation of Twilight: Breaking Dawn you have had playing in your head might be comical to you (with the characters mispronouncing Renesmee’s name as a gag), but if you push too far you might ostracize a vast majority of your audience.  Be careful to spoof lovingly and not insult your source material or die-hard fans will not be pleased.

Humor is not there. Finding the appropriate material for such a drama to comedy switch might prove a trifle more difficult than expected.  Your source material must support a spoof in all aspects (cutting, interpretation, etc.).  And though one scene or character can be made funny that does not mean you can do that for a full eight minutes.

Time consuming. The words might be there, but everything about this piece needs to be redone.  Sure, characters will hold some of the seriousness of the original, dramatic version, but humor must be superimposed.  It is like creating a parallel Humorous Interpretation universe for the material and that takes time you might not be willing, or able, to give.

Just a spoof? You might have a funny piece, but if it is just a spoof of one joke there really is no merit to elevate it above other pieces.  There needs to remain some heart and depth behind what you are performing to get the audience to connect and care about the characters.  No one wants to watch an eight minute spoof of the same joke–even SNL knows to give a spoof skit a five minute cap because any longer and the skit implodes.

As you search for a Humorous Interpretation do not forget this source of material.  Though failure runs high with this conversion, if done successfully you can have an outstanding, knee-slapping HI.  Just remind yourself that a drama turned Humorous Interpretation based around one gag/scene ultimately becomes a dramatic HI imposter, which is to be avoided.

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