We’re looking forward to introducing you to Frank Martinez. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Frank, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Something I’ve really come to learn is that if you want to pursue your art, you also have to be a solid business person. No one really talks about the business side of being a creative, but it’s essential. We all have to pay the bills and fund the art we want to make.
Really understanding that has been a key part of my growth this year. Learning how to produce comedy shows and actually turn a profit has allowed me to reinvest in my career, travel to states I’d never performed in before, and even hire my friends to join me on shows, which is one of the best parts of all of it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Frank Martinez. A stand-up comedian, filmmaker, and content creator based in Southern California. For over a decade, I’ve been traveling the country sharing stories that find the humor in everyday life. Most recently, I was featured on Cheech and Chong’s Up In Jokes Comedy Special.
Beyond stand-up, I also create and produce original shows that mix comedy with unique experiences like Dumbasses N Dungeons, a live D&D-style adventure comedy show where the audience helps shape the story. I’m currently working on expanding the show across new venues as well as developing a new comedy club that brings community, and art together.
At the core of everything I do is the goal of creating shared moments. Whether that’s laughter in a club, a story on screen, or a live event that reminds people how fun it is to connect in person.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my parents. They’re the hardest-working people I know, and they showed me that putting in the work always pays off. I’m sure they don’t always understand the way I’ve chosen to do things, but everything I’ve accomplished comes from the lessons I learned watching them.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The pandemic was hard on everyone, and the entertainment industry was hit especially hard. Comics all over the world went months, even years without performing. During that time, I think I only got on stage three or four times, which was strange because I’d never really taken a break from comedy before.
It ended up being the first time I could step back and explore other passions. That’s when I got into filming. Creating videos for the off-road industry gave me a new sense of purpose and kept me creative in a completely different way.
About a year after the pandemic, a fellow comic invited me to an open mic, and that’s when I rediscovered my love for performing. I told myself that if I was going to come back to comedy, I needed to do it with intention. With clear goals and forward movement. I made a deal with myself: if I ever stop having fun or stop making progress, I’m out. So far, I’ve kept that deal and ever since, things have only continued to move forward.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say so. My “comedy persona” is really just me turned up to eleven. The way I joke on stage is the same way I joke with my friends. Everything changed when I started treating the audience like they were part of that circle, like they were my best friends.
I’ve always been someone who jokes around with friends and family, and one day I caught myself thinking, why don’t I treat my audience the same way? If I want to have a great time on stage, I need to talk to the crowd the same way I would with close friends. Real, loose, and in the moment.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I’ll never regret doing things my way. I’m not stubborn enough to ignore good advice. I listen, I learn, and I try to look at my career from every angle. But if someone came to me and said, “I can make your dream come true, but only if you follow my rules,” they might as well not bother. I’d probably break the rules, laugh about it, and walk away anyway. Some of us are just meant to carve our own path, and I’m good with that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @uselessfrank
Image Credits
Frank Martinez
