Welcome to our weekly Giggle Goddess question and answer session with comedivas spreading giggles like wildfire. This week, we talk to two funnygirls who want to fight stereotypes while finding inspiration anywhere from personal experiences to The X-Files!
This Q & A will take you deep within the depths of their souls … sorta.
Fangirlishly stalk the duo at the following locations: Facebook, Twitter, Official Website.
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What’s your favorite cupcake flavor?
Dawn and Aliza: We love cupcakes of the peanut butter and chocolate variety. The Ba Ba Booey from Crumbs is fantastic!
What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
Aliza: Like every true 80s child, I was entranced by the strong characters on shows like Family Matters, In Living Color, and Saved By the Bell. I also was a sci-fi geek as a kid, and The X-Files was my absolute favorite show. So my inspiration was somewhere between Lisa Turtle and Fox Mulder. That sounds about right.
Dawn: To be honest, as a child no one ever took me seriously. Not my parents, not my teachers…no one. I complained to the principal about being bullied by the ‘black girls’ at my school and he laughed so hard milk spurted through his nose. I don’t think he understood how it was possible for me to be afraid of my fellow black people. I had a childhood best friend who didn’t like to hang out with me unless I was playing court jester and making her laugh all day. Finally, I just got it in my head that my experiences, painful as they were, made other people laugh and that I should, therefore, get into comedy and do it for a living.
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
Aliza: I’d point and say “Hey look!” and then smother him with my afro.
Dawn: Pole dancing. Obviously.
Aliza Pearl
What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track and what, in your experience, has made those obstacles worth overcoming?
Aliza: I think stand-up is one of the hardest entertainment careers to pursue…which is why I don’t do stand-up. Ha. Honestly though, as an actress, writing and producing comedy has been a welcome and empowering break from waiting for auditions, seeing other girls in the commercial you weren’t called back for, explaining to your grandmother why you’re not famous yet… Thanks to Increase Our Bust, I can send my grandmother a link to my work and she’s instantly proud, even though I’m not starring in a major film or TV show (ahem YET). Oh, and hi Abuela. *waves*
Dawn: The challenge is getting people to notice you and acknowledge your existence and comedy know-how. As a black girl, teaming up with another black girl is probably the riskiest thing I could do career-wise. We’re underrepresented in comedy as both women and women of the African-American persuasion and it grinds my gears because we’re so friggin’ hilarious. What makes these challenges worth is knowing I’ve teamed up with my comedy soul mate (Aliza) and we’re doing what we love to do best. We’re not just waiting to get noticed and be recognized. We’re actually working on our craft and shooting sketches on a regular basis. At the end of the day we get to have a good laugh, and that’s what really counts.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?
Aliza: The political satires on SNL between 2000 and 2008. Particularly Will Farrell as George Bush and Tina Fey As Sarah Palin. They didn’t just impersonate them brilliantly, they found even deeper levels of humor in those politicians that I personally found therapeutic to watch.
Dawn: The first time I ever heard the Kings of Comedy (Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac) was on a CD. I didn’t see the movie until later but I practically wore that CD out. All of the comedians had me in tears, especially Bernie Mac (“…to get some milk and cookies…”). I would literally have that CD on replay. My college roommate hated me for that…
Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?
Aliza: Kim Wayans and Melissa McCarthy.
Dawn: Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey.
Dawn Green
In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?
Aliza: I’m new to sharing my comedic writing, so I’ve learned a lot with every script and video we’ve done so far. When you go from acting in other people’s projects to producing your own from start to finish, you learn to let go of a lot of excess and tell the story in the most honest way.
Dawn: I’m learning how to tighten everything up a bit more. It used to take me forever to get to the punchline but I’m better at getting to the point. I’m also a lot braver when it comes to comedy writing. I love the risqué jokes and pushing the envelope. I’m also less afraid to show that I kind of have a sick, twisted humor about things. Comedy comes from a dark place and I now openly and readily embrace that.
What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?
Aliza: I’ve done a lot of indie projects (films and webseries), and in the short term I’d like to continue to do great indie projects while breaking into film and television. I also want for Increase Our Bust to be a well-known YouTube channel, and for Dawn and I to be able to keep making videos! Long term, I see myself acting and producing, and being instrumental in making stories that people will never forget.
Dawn: I want to be a published author in the next year. Believe it or not, I actually had the nerve to submit my poetry to the New Yorker and was offended when they rejected my submission. Whatevs. I’m determined to publish something, be it poetry or short stories in 2012. Long term, I want to write for television. I’d love to follow in JJ Abrams’s footsteps. To me, he can do no wrong.
Which character do you most resemble from The Divas?
Aliza: Most people would say I’m most like Lucille Ballbuster … but I’m not as sweet as I seem. And, I’m allergic to cats. If there were a more nerdy, sci-fi Diva who grew up in Newark, I think that would be me.
Dawn: I’m most like Frida (but without the accent).
Do you have a specific audience to whom you play/would like to play? Describe that audience, and why/how you’re playing to them.
Aliza: I’m playing to folks who don’t need a black girl to be a stereotype.
Dawn: I’m playing to men. I’ve always wanted to be part of the boys’ club so I play to men in an effort to make them laugh so they’ll tell me I’m cool. Then when people like Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly and that whole breakfast club gets together and does another hilarious movie on par with Anchorman, Step Brothers, and Wedding Crashers (etc., etc.) they’ll think of me, remember how funny I am and write a part in for me as well.
When you’re not writing/performing comedy, you’re…
Dawn: Singing. I love karaoke and I can make everyday conversation into a song. Sometimes it annoys my friends but oh well. I also love to go to Pop Physique and the gym. And the Thirsty Crow — which is a bar.
Aliza: Singing, cooking, watching unnatural amounts of Hulu and Netflix videos, and denying that I’ve turned into a hipster.
What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?
Aliza: We women know that we’re more than the two dimensional, sterotypical female characters that are written into so much of the film and TV we see. Appealing to women means accepting the female viewpoint and not making it secondary, or cute, or angry, or naive, or purely sexual. Women observe the world with our eyes just as wide.
Dawn: Before the movie Bridesmaids I would’ve said the difference was boob, fart and poop jokes. But now….I don’t know man. Things ain’t the same. The world’s changing. Nowadays it’s hard to say what makes a man laugh and what makes a woman laugh. You know what really grinds my gears though? Men who can’t write for women and don’t even bother trying. Like Tyler Perry and The Wayans’ Brothers. It’s like they’re afraid of women getting the bigger laugh so they create the same characters in all of their movies — making the men look funny and witty and intelligent while the women just look like they can’t act. Sorry…I get really mad at stuff like that. Like, for realsies.
What’s your favorite comedy movie or T.V. show of all time?
Aliza: 30 Rock, with Community a very close second. I get addicted to well-played, well-developed characters.
Dawn: My favorite comedy movie is Not Another Teenage Movie. I’d watch that over and over again. It just never gets old. My favorite comedy TV show has to be Golden Girls. Probably mostly because of the theme song but honestly, I knew Betty White was a star in the making way back then at such a tender age.
The title of your autobiography?
Aliza: The Nebulus.
Dawn: Why We Can’t Be Friends…and Other Obvious Truths.
This Q & A will take you deep within the depths of their souls … sorta.
Fangirlishly stalk the duo at the following locations: Facebook, Twitter, Official Website.
Increase Our Bust!
What’s your favorite cupcake flavor?
Dawn and Aliza: We love cupcakes of the peanut butter and chocolate variety. The Ba Ba Booey from Crumbs is fantastic!
What or whom inspired you to pursue a career in comedy?
Aliza: Like every true 80s child, I was entranced by the strong characters on shows like Family Matters, In Living Color, and Saved By the Bell. I also was a sci-fi geek as a kid, and The X-Files was my absolute favorite show. So my inspiration was somewhere between Lisa Turtle and Fox Mulder. That sounds about right.
Dawn: To be honest, as a child no one ever took me seriously. Not my parents, not my teachers…no one. I complained to the principal about being bullied by the ‘black girls’ at my school and he laughed so hard milk spurted through his nose. I don’t think he understood how it was possible for me to be afraid of my fellow black people. I had a childhood best friend who didn’t like to hang out with me unless I was playing court jester and making her laugh all day. Finally, I just got it in my head that my experiences, painful as they were, made other people laugh and that I should, therefore, get into comedy and do it for a living.
If Chuck Norris were to corner you in an alley and challenge you to a duel, what would be your weapon of choice?
Aliza: I’d point and say “Hey look!” and then smother him with my afro.
Dawn: Pole dancing. Obviously.
What are some challenges you’ve faced since going down the comedy track and what, in your experience, has made those obstacles worth overcoming?
Aliza: I think stand-up is one of the hardest entertainment careers to pursue…which is why I don’t do stand-up. Ha. Honestly though, as an actress, writing and producing comedy has been a welcome and empowering break from waiting for auditions, seeing other girls in the commercial you weren’t called back for, explaining to your grandmother why you’re not famous yet… Thanks to Increase Our Bust, I can send my grandmother a link to my work and she’s instantly proud, even though I’m not starring in a major film or TV show (ahem YET). Oh, and hi Abuela. *waves*
Dawn: The challenge is getting people to notice you and acknowledge your existence and comedy know-how. As a black girl, teaming up with another black girl is probably the riskiest thing I could do career-wise. We’re underrepresented in comedy as both women and women of the African-American persuasion and it grinds my gears because we’re so friggin’ hilarious. What makes these challenges worth is knowing I’ve teamed up with my comedy soul mate (Aliza) and we’re doing what we love to do best. We’re not just waiting to get noticed and be recognized. We’re actually working on our craft and shooting sketches on a regular basis. At the end of the day we get to have a good laugh, and that’s what really counts.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard/seen?
Aliza: The political satires on SNL between 2000 and 2008. Particularly Will Farrell as George Bush and Tina Fey As Sarah Palin. They didn’t just impersonate them brilliantly, they found even deeper levels of humor in those politicians that I personally found therapeutic to watch.
Dawn: The first time I ever heard the Kings of Comedy (Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac) was on a CD. I didn’t see the movie until later but I practically wore that CD out. All of the comedians had me in tears, especially Bernie Mac (“…to get some milk and cookies…”). I would literally have that CD on replay. My college roommate hated me for that…
Which comedienne, dead or alive, would you love to work with/meet?
Aliza: Kim Wayans and Melissa McCarthy.
Dawn: Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey.
In what ways do you think you’ve improved or evolved since your first comedy venture?
Aliza: I’m new to sharing my comedic writing, so I’ve learned a lot with every script and video we’ve done so far. When you go from acting in other people’s projects to producing your own from start to finish, you learn to let go of a lot of excess and tell the story in the most honest way.
Dawn: I’m learning how to tighten everything up a bit more. It used to take me forever to get to the punchline but I’m better at getting to the point. I’m also a lot braver when it comes to comedy writing. I love the risqué jokes and pushing the envelope. I’m also less afraid to show that I kind of have a sick, twisted humor about things. Comedy comes from a dark place and I now openly and readily embrace that.
What long-term/short-term goals do you have for your career?
Aliza: I’ve done a lot of indie projects (films and webseries), and in the short term I’d like to continue to do great indie projects while breaking into film and television. I also want for Increase Our Bust to be a well-known YouTube channel, and for Dawn and I to be able to keep making videos! Long term, I see myself acting and producing, and being instrumental in making stories that people will never forget.
Dawn: I want to be a published author in the next year. Believe it or not, I actually had the nerve to submit my poetry to the New Yorker and was offended when they rejected my submission. Whatevs. I’m determined to publish something, be it poetry or short stories in 2012. Long term, I want to write for television. I’d love to follow in JJ Abrams’s footsteps. To me, he can do no wrong.
Which character do you most resemble from The Divas?
Aliza: Most people would say I’m most like Lucille Ballbuster … but I’m not as sweet as I seem. And, I’m allergic to cats. If there were a more nerdy, sci-fi Diva who grew up in Newark, I think that would be me.
Dawn: I’m most like Frida (but without the accent).
Do you have a specific audience to whom you play/would like to play? Describe that audience, and why/how you’re playing to them.
Aliza: I’m playing to folks who don’t need a black girl to be a stereotype.
Dawn: I’m playing to men. I’ve always wanted to be part of the boys’ club so I play to men in an effort to make them laugh so they’ll tell me I’m cool. Then when people like Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly and that whole breakfast club gets together and does another hilarious movie on par with Anchorman, Step Brothers, and Wedding Crashers (etc., etc.) they’ll think of me, remember how funny I am and write a part in for me as well.
When you’re not writing/performing comedy, you’re…
Dawn: Singing. I love karaoke and I can make everyday conversation into a song. Sometimes it annoys my friends but oh well. I also love to go to Pop Physique and the gym. And the Thirsty Crow — which is a bar.
Aliza: Singing, cooking, watching unnatural amounts of Hulu and Netflix videos, and denying that I’ve turned into a hipster.
What’s the difference between appealing to women and appealing to men?
Aliza: We women know that we’re more than the two dimensional, sterotypical female characters that are written into so much of the film and TV we see. Appealing to women means accepting the female viewpoint and not making it secondary, or cute, or angry, or naive, or purely sexual. Women observe the world with our eyes just as wide.
Dawn: Before the movie Bridesmaids I would’ve said the difference was boob, fart and poop jokes. But now….I don’t know man. Things ain’t the same. The world’s changing. Nowadays it’s hard to say what makes a man laugh and what makes a woman laugh. You know what really grinds my gears though? Men who can’t write for women and don’t even bother trying. Like Tyler Perry and The Wayans’ Brothers. It’s like they’re afraid of women getting the bigger laugh so they create the same characters in all of their movies — making the men look funny and witty and intelligent while the women just look like they can’t act. Sorry…I get really mad at stuff like that. Like, for realsies.
What’s your favorite comedy movie or T.V. show of all time?
Aliza: 30 Rock, with Community a very close second. I get addicted to well-played, well-developed characters.
Dawn: My favorite comedy movie is Not Another Teenage Movie. I’d watch that over and over again. It just never gets old. My favorite comedy TV show has to be Golden Girls. Probably mostly because of the theme song but honestly, I knew Betty White was a star in the making way back then at such a tender age.
The title of your autobiography?
Aliza: The Nebulus.
Dawn: Why We Can’t Be Friends…and Other Obvious Truths.
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Dawn M. Green is the 2011 Winner of the BET Urbanworld Film Festival Teleplay Competition for her original TV Pilot, “Whitehall,” co-written with writing partner, Aliza Pearl. Dawn is also the 2011 winner of the NYU Alumni Web Series Showcase as well as Teen Nick’s Young Voices Fellowship for her original TV pilot, “Noho,PA,” which was screened in the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival.
Originally from Newark, NJ, Dawn studied Film and Television Production at New York University and currently resides in Los Angeles. Her projects include Lila, Long Distance (2011 LA Web Fest Winner), Side Kick Girls (2011 NYU Showcase Winner) and Increase Our Bust Comedy, sketch comedy coming from Age 13 Productions.
Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Aliza Pearl studied dance from the ages of 3 to 18 before shifting her creative expression to acting, singing and writing. Growing up, musical training involved choral, classical, gospel, and musical theater, and musical exposure was vast, including jazz, soul, salsa, bolero, R&B, hip-hop and pop. Since landing in LA, Aliza’s songwriting has evolved from soul- and blues-based melodies to more digitally inspired music.
Aliza is passionate about acting, and has starred in various independent films (Something is Killing Tate, F U Y2K) digital series (Cupid and Eros, Sidekick Girls), and stage plays at the Victory Theater, Berkeley Rep, McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ. She recently launched Age 13 Productions with co-writer Dawn M. Green, to create comedy for online audiences.
In May 2011, Aliza Pearl released the EP “…and the Red Balloon” which is available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, and other online stores. The acoustically-based EP delves into digital and industrial sounds. She lists musical influences that include Nine Inch Nails, Bjork, Erykah Badu, and Feist. Watch the music video for the single”Lights Out” directed by Oden Roberts.
