Making people laugh for a living

SHEENA Halili (left) and Betong Sumayo

Caesar Cosme, a veteran comedy director and writer, believes that the country has a wealth of talented performers in the genre—many of whom go largely unnoticed and are rarely given big breaks.

In GMA 7’s weekly live comedy program, “Laff, Camera, Action,” the spotlight will be on local funnymen and women from television, stage, comedy bars and even schools. Their improvisational skills will be put to the test through a series of on-the-spot routines.

As it is, the show will mostly feature artists who make people laugh for a living. But Caesar, who is one of the judges in the show, is also hopeful that “Laff” would eventually become a breeding ground for new and amateur comics.

“First, we have to establish what the show is all about. And perhaps in the future, we can turn this into a platform for discovering fresh talent,” he said at a press conference. “There are lots of them—in comedy bars, everywhere. They just aren’t given a chance. This is a great idea we want to explore in the future.”

Caesar described the show as “very dynamic.” Aside from the fact that everything will be unrehearsed and unscripted, the contestants will also be grouped randomly: “They do not know with whom they will work until the last minute. They will be judged by the rapport they forge and the quality of skits they come up with under time pressure.”

Inhibitions

Gladys Guevarra, another “Laff” judge, gave this advice when doing live comedy: Lose all inhibitions. “You cannot afford to be timid; you cannot second-guess yourself … but that does not mean you can be rude, either,” she told the Inquirer. “You have to own that stage. Gauge your audience and immediately start a connection.”

Doing live comedy is no joke, added Gladys, who is having a career resurgence on television, playing the character Chuchay on “Sunday PinaSaya,” another live variety program. The seasoned performer said that it is important for a comedian to have the ability to compartmentalize his or her feelings.

“You have to get used to setting aside your problems—your job is to make people happy,” she pointed out. “When you’re done, you can go home and cry.”

Actor Sef Cadayona completes the panel of judges. Directed by Phillip Lazaro and Noel Cabacungan, “Laff, Camera, Action” is hosted by Sheena Halili and Betong Sumayo. It airs Saturday afternoons.

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