Earthquake is hoping to shake up Hollywood
Earthquake has said for years he wants to be a movie star. He said it four years ago, speaking to the Globe the last time he was at the Comedy Connection, venting his frustration about not getting called back for background work on "Planet of the Apes." ("I didn't even get the callback for an ape!" he said back then.)
Flash forward to the present after a few bit parts in films like "Clerks II" and voice work in "Barnyard," and Earthquake's film resume hasn't exactly lived up to his expectations. "I'm still like an open mike-er in movies," says the comic, who returns to the Connection tomorrow and Sunday. But once again, Earthquake (born Nathaniel Stroman) feels he's on the verge of a change.
Earthquake is just a few weeks removed from shooting Ice Cube's "Comeback," which is based on the true story of Jasmine Plummer, a groundbreaking female quarterback in the Pop Warner league. Earthquake says he learned how to connect with the role he was playing, "actually being with actors for six weeks, actually being there and seeing what it takes."
It can be tough for comics like the 44-year-old Earthquake - who has a strong point of view and a quick, punchy delivery - to find a way to translate their talents, and their persona, to acting. Earthquake has already created a character and spent years honing it, going back to his days as a club owner and comic in the Atlanta scene that produced Arnez J, Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley, and Don "D.C." Curry.
One of the toughest things for an established comedian to do is to give up his singular point of view and become an ensemble player. "You're an instrument in another person's story," says Earthquake, "and it's your duty to make that part or whatever part you're playing, to make the whole story come to life. In certain things, I didn't understand that. I didn't comprehend that."
Earthquake mentions he is working on two other films in various states of production - "The Business" with Kevin Hart and "To Each His Own" with Vivica A. Fox - and he has a recurring role as Uncle Mike on "Everybody Hates Chris." He's hoping his new insight will lead to more film work.
"I just keep trying to slug it out," he says. "You just do what you do to get there, you keep trying, trial and error, and pray for the best and prepare for the worst."
In the meantime, his profile as a stand-up comic continues to rise. He is a favorite on Howard Stern's Sirius show, and he'll be on Conan O'Brien's show next month. That doesn't surprise Earthquake. He has never lacked for confidence and ranks himself as one of the top-10 comedians. "Can't go below top 10," he says. "Of all time."
He chalks that up to a rapid-fire delivery he believes few could match. "If I were to do what some of my peers do, not to knock them, and stretch a joke out as long as they did, I could do nine years," he says. "I mean, to get to a punch line."
If Earthquake's break finally comes, you'll see less of him in the clubs, but he can't see leaving behind the instant gratification of stand-up for the glacial pace of filmmaking.
"Movies, you've got to do and then you've got to wait and somebody's got to cut it up and edit it," he says. "Then you've got to sit back and hope it turns out, and then you get the response back to see how it is. Stand-up, you know exactly after the words come out your mouth."
Around town
Jeffrey Ross plays the Comedy Connection tonight and tomorrow. . . . ImprovBoston's new theater offers two early sketch shows tonight: SketchHaus in its Cabaret room at 7:30 and Boston Off Book in its Main Theater at 8. The Naked Comedy Showcase also plays ImprovBoston, Wednesday at 10 p.m. . . . Shrewsbury native Mike Birbiglia has had a few suitors for a half-hour show based on his blog, "My Secret Public Journal," but no show has materialized. Two weeks ago, CBS finally picked up the idea, which means Birbiglia has had to postpone his national tour, which was scheduled to come to the Connection Wednesday, to get ready to film the pilot.
