Comedian Andrew Chapman juggles multiple roles, including one in a Star Wars parody
MAKING THE JUMP TO LIGHT SPEED: Mark McIntyre, left, and Andrew Chapman on set during the filming of Bar Wars, a short film using only the dialogue from the Star Wars movies to shape another story. The film was shot entirely in the Annex.
Perhaps learning how to juggle, while playing W.C. Fields on Murdoch Mysteries, has helped comedian Andrew Chapman handle all the roles he has currently on his docket.
The Annex resident, who playfully refers to himself as Andy of the Annex, was on location in Cancun filming The Duchess of Cancun and already planning his next ventures: a stand-up comedy tour and another film, Spy House, set to shoot in the New Year.
Due out in December was his short film Bar Wars and web series V Morgan Is Dead, where he plays Will in 10 of the 20 episodes.
When it comes to the multi-tasking, Chapman admits he’s had plenty of practice during high school where he was acting, working, studying, running and doing stand-up comedy at 17.
“I’m way better when I’m busy. The busier the better,” he admits, via Skype. “I can get more things done if you keep giving me more things.
“If I have nothing to do, I’m useless.”
Born in Toronto, raised in the Village of Dunrobin, just outside of Ottawa, and returned to his birthplace at the age of 19. Over a decade later he’s compiled an impressive portfolio, including a clean comedy show, thanks to his mom, and the influences of Groucho Marx, Jerry Seinfeld and Jack Benny.
“When I went down to Yuk Yuks when I was 17, everyone would put in the F-word, and say this, and talk about sex, drugs and rock, I was like, ‘Uh, do I fit in saying, ‘Girls are weird, ha ha’,” Chapman says, with a laugh. “I found the audience liked it because, hey, for seven minutes we’ve got something fresh.”
The most precious gem out of the bunch is the parody Bar Wars, a short film he did with best friend Mark McIntyre, borne out of their time as waiters at Second City.
During Christmas staff parties, the duo would put on a show, featuring former colleague Daniel Shehori.
“Somehow that caught on like a house on fire,” Chapman says. “You do silly stuff for the fun of it, and then people say you have to do more of this.
“Bar Wars was the opus of all of that. We got everybody from Second City in it, and we even got Daniel Shehori in it. He makes a cameo.”
The flick, shot entirely in the Annex three years ago, had a dialogue entirely comprised of Star Wars quotes — perfect timing since the Force awoke on Dec. 18.
Rest assured there are no references to lightsabers, X-Wings, the dark side or the force.
“Really all it is, is about two buddies having a night out on the town, but everybody … speaks using Star Wars quotes,” Chapman says. “It’s not ‘May the force be with you’ or ‘I’m Han Solo’, it’s pretty esoteric quotes that if pieced together in the right order kind of make an original script.”
Though it’s been finished for a year, the tardiness of its release by McIntyre and Chapman has paid off.
“Now is the perfect time to release this, but releasing it a year ago would have been cool, but now that the new movie is out, our laziness has paid off.”