Camille Hugh fights for indie film
Camille Hugh is a Jamerican (Jamaican born, New York bred) romance / comedy writer, director, and producer who tells authentic women-led stories tackling first-world problems you’d want to eavesdrop on over brunch. She loves exploring themes of love, friendship, and living up to expectations – both self-imposed and from society. Her strengths are witty dialogue, complex characters who make you root for them, and world-building.
She wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the romantic feature film, Trouble in Law, and the same for numerous short and long form series including the 7 episode comedy, Ruff and Tug, and 11 episode comedy, Am I the Crazy Girlfriend?; short films, including Lucky Meet Cute and Enheightened, both screened at the IFI; and How to be a New Yorker (Amazon Prime). She is currently in pre-production on her latest feature film, Squad Goals.
Camille has authored fourteen books and is the CEO of Sitinpretty Productions, a company providing post-production services such as editing, VFX, coloring, and mixing to independent filmmakers, and OpenFilmmaking.com, a platform that seeks to make filmmaking easier and profitable to independent filmmakers.
What were you like as a teen?
I loved romantic comedies as a teenager. I did drama in high school and wrote and shot scenes from my first feature length screenplay as a junior. I always tried to infuse comedy into my romantic stories and aspired to be like my funniest friends. I think I was funnier on the page than in real life because I could be more free and open.
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
My most un-sexy job was working at 7-11. IDing adults who wanted to buy cigarettes, alcohol, and lottery tickets at the tender age of sixteen was interesting. It had a positive impact though. After seeing the same people blow all of their money on vices (especially lottery tickets), I came away with the impression that gambling, smoking, and drinking was a huge money suck and it turned me off completely. The good news was that whenever I messed up and entered the wrong lotto numbers, patrons thought it might be a sign or divine intervention and never got too pissed.
What do you consider to be your biggest comedy achievement to date?
My biggest comedy achievement to date is making my first feature film, Trouble in Law. It’s not full on comedy, but it is a romance with comedic elements.
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
I love infusing comedy into my scripts and playing around in improv groups–incredibly joyous.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
As an author of fourteen books, and person who puts myself out there on YouTube and social media, I have had my fair share of vocal haters. My delete and block hand is strong! For things I cannot control, (like Amazon) I find focusing on the positive comments to be the best strategy.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
Do what you want and learn early the subtle art of not giving a f*$#. Seriously, I think the majority of us don’t do what we want because we care so much about what people might be saying about us. The truth is, people are either too concerned with their lives or they are just hating because they could never be so bold. Remind yourself of this fact daily, then go about your actual business.
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Issa Rae said when she was writing Awkward Black Girl, she kept thinking what she was writing was ridiculous but it was funny to her, so she included it. Turns out, it was also funny to lots of people. I have adopted the advice to just write whatever is funny to me and pray someone else shares my odd sense of humor.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
No one ever really gave me this advice, but censoring yourself constantly is not conducive to comedy. I struggle with this because I don’t want to offend people and sometimes second guess myself, but I would say learn how to let a spontaneous comment or quip fly as soon as you think about it instead of analyzing it to death and allowing the moment to pass. Practice with friends!
How has being funny helped you in your life?
Being witty and funny comes in clutch when doing sales, trying to fundraise, or getting attention in general. I am currently fundraising for my feature film, Squad Goals, and we did street stunts where people could “fight for indie film” by facing off in bubble ball suits. We went to a bunch of parks with a sign and the balls and I had to come up with ways to engage people. Thinking on my feet and having witty responses to objections helped disarm people so that they would at least listen to my pitch.
What specific things should a novice comedy writer do to shape their voice?
Read a lot, take improv comedy classes, watch lots of comedy, and find funny people to hang around who are not ultra sensitive.
Was there one person who inspired you to go into comedy?
Issa Rae and her show (Awkward Black Girl) were a huge inspiration for me to start making comedic web series. I loved how authentic her voice and characters are and how the comedic moments in her stories stemmed from grounded situations and emotions.
Do you have a writing routine?
When I am writing a screenplay, I start off with a detailed outline and tweak that to death. Then, once I get that right, I tend to plug away at the actual document every single day until I reach “The End”. During this period, I am completely out of commission and don’t want to go anywhere or do anything but write.
What is your go-to show or movie when you’ve had a bad day?
Tv show: The Office | Movie: Clueless
