"It’s difficult for me to pay attention for long periods of time, and since sketch comedy moves along to the next joke so quickly, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience.”
He’s a caveman. No, wait, he’s actually a pancake-making genie. Just kidding. A kid with a nacho tortilla hose? Whatever he is, Cartoon Network’s Incredible Crew star TRISTAN PASTERICK makes the 90s kid in us squirm with excitement. Oh, he’s half-Filipino, too.
Hey, Tristan! What have you been up to lately?
I have been enjoying the cold weather in LA while it lasts!
What do you enjoy the most about sketch comedy?
The thing I enjoy most about sketch comedy is how fast-paced it is. It’s difficult for me to pay attention for long periods of time, and since sketch comedy moves along to the next joke so quickly, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience.
How did you get your foot into acting?
I first started taking acting classes in Seattle. From there I made my way to a convention held by that school in Las Vegas where I was able to get in front of agents and managers. After receiving a few callbacks from agents, I was fortunate enough to stay with my aunt while I got a feel for LA. My amazing family is the only reason I’ve been able to pursue this career. My parents have believed in me since the beginning and done everything in their power to help me since day one. My aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents have offered the same support and it wouldn’t be possible without them.
What has it been like working with Nick Cannon for Incredible Crew? Has he given you any advice on improv comedy?
Working with Nick has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. He’s been a great mentor and shared a lot of his knowledge with me and the rest of the crew in many more fields than just improv.
Do you get to input your own ideas into some of the sketches?
Quite frequently we like to “Ad Lib” and, more often than not, it is accepted and used in that take. We aren’t exactly able to change major parts of a script but our suggestions are usually considered.
Other than the cast, what else about the show is “incredible?” Give 5 things and a brief explanation for each.
1. Our writing staff is one of the biggest reasons Incredible Crew is so awesome! They are the masterminds behind everything you see on the screen.
2. Our director Danny J. Boyle has taught me so much in the short time we worked together. Without him, how you see Incredible Crew would be in a completely different light.
3. Nick Cannon! That one is pretty self-explanatory. He has been such a huge influence on the cast, and without him, I still wouldn’t know much about sketch comedy.
4. Crafty! From morning coffee, to a late night snack, craft service has been my best friend all trough filming!
5. The crew! No, not that crew, the other crew! The camera department, the grips, the PA’s, all the guys that truly make the show come together. They truly are incredible!
How would you describe yourself on and off the show?
On the show, I play a plethora of completely crazy characters in unbelievable situations. Off the show, I lead a pretty normal life. I keep to myself most of the time, however I always seem to get caught in very unique situations.
At your age, how do you balance work and school?
Truthfully, it’s not easy. Working takes a lot out of you, and to try and put school on top of that makes for some really tough times. Not to mention trying to leave time to relax, be with friends or family, and spend time doing regular people things.
What keeps you busy when you’re not working?
When I’m not working, I spend a healthy amount of time with my family. We are a huge, very close, Filipino family. So I find myself—nearly every day—going out to a movie or having dinner with a different family member. Other than that, I spend quite a bit of time building/upgrading PCs. That goes hand in hand with gaming (which I spend far too much time doing). I’m also a pianist, and now that its winter, I’ve been getting back into snowboarding!
Interview by Isabelle Kim for STATUS.
