For my fourth installment in my "Inside Look" series, I thought I'd change things up. Instead of discussing Independent or YouTube Artists, I thought I would chat with an Independent YouTube Comedian to really spice things up. I'm happy to say that my first comedian is Erin Schaut, A.K.A. The Erintainer. I was fortunate enough to stumple upon Erin's content a few months back, and have kept in touch with her ever since, supporting her passion for Comedy & Improv. Around the end of 2020, and boy do we all love saying that, Erin was actually doing a live stream on YouTube when I asked her if she would be interested in being interviewed for my blog on my website. She was more than happy and gave me her contact information, and from there, we've landed here.
Erin is an aspiring comedian who's channel has really taken off in a short amount of time. Just the other day, she reached 3,000 Subscribers!!!! In addition to that, her channel has achieved the Holy Grail of YouTube Goals, "Getting Monetized". A huge part of this success comes down to consistent posting on a proper schedule so that people know when to look up new videos, and they can expect at least 3 a week which keeps them coming back. Some videos have definitely gained more attention than others, but we'll discuss that at a later date with Erin herself. The important thing to take away from this is, Erin knows her strengths, she knows who she's marketing her videos towards, and she keeps everything fresh, exciting, and again most importantly, consistent.
One of the best ways to describe Erin herself I feel is unique. She has that quirky vibe about her, similar to that of Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live. She's not afraid to be different and just wants to make people laugh. I'd certainly love to see those two collaborate together one day. She can do a wide variety of characters, but can also flip her personailty, in a way that reminds me of Jim Carrey, a man who can completely 180° anything. Carrey most recently showed this dynamic style in "Sonic The Hedgehog", where he was quite literally the Holy Grail of the film. This could very well be Erin Schaut one day in a major motion picutre.
With all of that said, I think it's about time when get into my interview with Erin herself.
Section 1
A) Start with your life growing up. How were you raised? What did your parents do to inspire & help you grow. What did they do to toughen you up or get you ready for the world?
I was raised by a single mother. Since she had to do everything herself, she always showed me and my brother how to persevere and encouraged us to be independent. The idea of never depending on anyone else to get you what you need has always been ingrained in me. Even now. Although, I recognize now that sometimes you need to lean on others and it's nice to know you have people to depend on. I have always been inspired by her, though. The way she kept going through every trial and tribulation always inspires me, every single day, every time I want to give up on something, I think of her. I know that because of her I have the privilege of living my dream, of working toward a creative endeavor, and for that I am and always will be so thankful!
As far as getting ready for the world, I've always tended to see the world through rose colored glasses. She always encouraged me to develop a thicker skin...I'm still trying to do that. She had to do a lot on her own, so she's challenged me to do the same. Certain things she's left me alone to figure out...and not in a way where I feel at all neglected, it was just a hard lesson I needed to learn and couldn't learn unless I did it on my own. I know I can always count on her and my brother if I ever need anything. My relationship with my father has been strained, but we are much closer now and I know he would jump in too if I ever needed anything.
B) How did you find yourself growing as a person? Who & what shaped you into who you are today?
I feel like I'm always learning new things about myself! Honestly, I find myself frequently wanting to return to my childhood, playing pretend and not having any bills to worry about! I think that childlike energy has always been within me...to the point sometimes where doing "adult" things feels very overwhelming. I was always comfortable being by myself.
I had friends here and there, but since my mom was a single mother, she worked a lot, and I didn't invite friends over often. Now, as an adult, I sometimes have to force myself to socialize. I always prefer to be in front of a crowd rather than within one. I can be picky with who I let in, but I am so blessed by the great friendships I have and the community I am a part of.
I know that there are always things I know I need to grow and work on, but the thing I really celebrate about myself is my level of compassion. My mother would constantly remind us, "You never know what someone is going through, so just always give people the benefit of doubt" and I remind myself of that frequently. As an adult that's lead to me having a lot of empathy towards other people and animals...and a constant desire and effort to make sure I'm being the kindest version of myself. We all have dark sides and make mistakes, of course, I've made my fair share, but I'm grateful that, on a good day, I'm able to reflect and recognize my shortcomings so that I can best support others..especially now in this climate. I think we all need to be doing a little inner work to help us be better to each other. It's a constant growth, I believe.
C) What were your activities growing up?
Playing with animals and playing pretend. I had a dog, Brownie, who was my best friend growing up and most of my memories are playing outside with her. We'd re-enact my favorite books or movies. Run around outside...I guess that really about sums it up! Animals, Pretending and exploring outside. I was always in another world.
D) How did you develop your interest for Comedy, Improv & Acting?
I literally could not tell you! haha! When people have asked me questions like this in the past, I share this memory I have...I remember my Mom asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said "I want to live in there" and pointed at the TV. She had to explain to me what acting was! That no one LIVED in the TV, that they were people, like us, pretending. And from there I was hooked! It's all I remember wanting to do....besides a vet of course, but when I learned I might have to put an animal to sleep, I knew I couldn't do it. So pretending it is!
E) What do you seek through Comedy & The Arts? Something that helps your day get started, something inspirational, something that you can connect to, that sets you free, something to help brighten other people's days, etc.
Humans love storytelling. And I believe a great story can change the world. Stories and laughter can inspire, they can bring people joy, inspire people, give people hope...There is such a beauty to this art form that I think is easy to take for granted, but when you really think about it, art has always shaped lives, impacted cultures...because it makes you FEEL.
As humans, we are constantly told not to feel, to suppress our emotions. That suppression leads to dissatisfaction, negative energy that gets stored within the body because we don't release it...but Comedy and Art gives us permission to feel AND allows us to feel better. I just think that's so beautiful. Jim Carrey said his purpose is to ease suffering...it was that purpose that always kept him going. I just love that and am so inspired by those words! I too want to ease suffering.
F) How do you hope to shape people? What sort of impact would you like to have on people and the world?
Something that's really important to me, besides compassion and empathy is inclusivity. I love people and how different we can be. I really hope to one day live in a world where we are constantly giving each other permission to be who they really are, with less judgement and more acceptance. That thought alone just excites me! I think our differences are so beautiful, it's what shape us and teaches us.
I would love to have even the smallest part in helping create a more loving, accepting world. I think that's really why I'm here...to see this beauty, to experience different places, people, cultures...Judgement is a part of human nature, I've done my fair share of judging, but when we resist the urge to judge and simply accept and celebrate...it creates so much inner peace and a truly beautiful outward experience. I would truly love to see more of that in the world.
I hope this is a good enough start! Thank you so much again for this opportunity!
This Was An Absolutely Terrific Start. Thank You So Much Again Erin!!!
I absolutely loved getting to learn more about you in this interview, and have absolutely enjoyed your videos! I truly hope that all your dreams come true. I feel that anyone reading this blog should share it around as much as possible, and hopefully it will make its way to Kate McKinnon & Jim Carrey. I would love to see you collaborate with them and be an official SNL castmember.
I'm so happy that I could share this story with the rest of you. I'll be working on Sections 2 & 3 of this interview, and we can hopefully dive deeper into this journey again soon. Section two will go deeper into Erin's journey of Comedy itself, discussing the different types of sketches she's done, all her favorite characters, and other projects she's been a part of, while Section three will go over all the Struggles & Triumphs.
Hopefully we can expect the same updates later on for Kaylee Federmann & Tiffany Alvord's blogs.
If you'd like to have your journey shared, feel free to reach out to me.
Until Next Time.
Stay Safe & Stay Healthy.
Cheers To A Better Future.
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