Yes, Also Yes, Also - Rekha Shankar
Jul 23, 2024
Rekha Shankar, a talented comedian and writer known for her work on shows like Grand Crew and Dimension 20, shares her journey from pre-med to the world of comedy. She discusses her early obsession with sitcoms, the importance of embracing discomfort, and how improv shaped her writing. Rekha contrasts the art of inventing jokes versus organic listening, while offering insightful Kickstarter tips. She reflects on her favorite comedic characters, upcoming projects, and the challenges of writing pilots, all while maintaining a playful sense of humor.
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From Pre-Med To Film School
- Rekha went from intending to be pre-med to getting into NYU film school by obsessively building a comedic portfolio.
- She filmed a documentary and wrote a comedic essay about sitting behind Charlie Murphy on a plane to get accepted.
Left-Brain Study Builds Comic Taste
- Rekha describes herself as left-brained and systematic, which she used to study sitcom structure and build taste.
- She read scripts, dissected sitcoms, and deliberately chose TV over auteur film to develop voice.
Editing Practice Became Her Secret Skill
- Rekha taught herself editing and worked overnight in the school's lab, becoming a Final Cut TA.
- That editing practice honed her comedic timing and story sense behind the screen.
