True Fiction Project: Revisited - True Fiction Favorites: Faking the Grade

Released on February 4, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of True Fiction Project, host Renita Hora delves into the transformative journey of comedian, actor, and writer Chinook Te Sara. This episode, titled "Revisited - True Fiction Favorites: Faking the Grade," explores Chinook's compelling transition from pursuing a traditional academic path to embracing his true passion in the performing arts. The discussion seamlessly intertwines with a fictional narrative inspired by Chinook's experiences, epitomizing the podcast's mission to transform real-life stories into captivating fiction.

Interview with Chinook Te Sara

Renita Hora welcomes Chinook with enthusiasm, highlighting his multifaceted career and diverse talents.

Career Beginnings and Multifaceted Talents (00:30 - 02:58)

Chinook begins by tracing his roots in stand-up comedy, acknowledging it as his primary passion and the foundation of his career. Over the past couple of years, he has expanded his horizons into acting and writing, venturing into sketch writing, playwriting, and even scriptwriting for pilots. Reflecting on his journey, Chinook shares:

"I think I got my start in stand up and have been doing that probably the longest. ... acting kind of just accidentally fell into it, which has been a lot of fun." (02:27)

Navigating Parental Expectations and Academic Challenges (03:22 - 06:00)

Chinook candidly discusses the high expectations set by his Sri Lankan immigrant parents, who envisioned a stable and prestigious career path for him in fields like medicine, law, or engineering. Struggling with these expectations, Chinook pursued an economics degree, seeking a middle ground. However, during a career fair at Chase Bank, he realized that traditional economic roles didn't align with his aspirations:

"I remember I left, I was there for like an hour. ... I don't think economics like a career working for a bank is for me." (06:00)

Pivoting to Geography and Graduate School Struggles (06:00 - 13:05)

Encouraged by Professor Peters to pursue a Ph.D., Chinook entered graduate school in geography, attracted by its malleability and interdisciplinary nature. Despite initial enthusiasm, he encountered significant challenges, particularly with his advisor's unsupportive and abrasive demeanor:

"I was abused, so now you guys have to be abused too. ... my advisor was of the not great variety." (09:18 - 12:30)

Faced with mounting stress and familial pride in his academic endeavors, Chinook contemplated faking his graduation to maintain his parents' approval without continuing down a path he no longer desired.

Embracing Stand-Up Comedy: A Turning Point (12:30 - 15:03)

Hitting a critical low, Chinook decided to take a leap of faith by signing up for an open mic night. Despite a less-than-perfect set, he felt an exhilarating sense of purpose on stage, reaffirming his commitment to comedy:

"I think the day I was like, okay, yeah, this is what I want to do with my life." (13:05)

Chinook then shares the daunting prospect of revealing his true career choice to his parents, reflecting the internal conflict between personal passion and familial expectations. However, over time, his parents came to appreciate his dedication and hard work in the performing arts:

"My dad is like, he sees how busy I am ... I'm doing it. And that is something that makes me happy to know that I didn't come here for nothing." (23:06)

Current Projects and Future Endeavors (15:03 - 26:37)

Chinook discusses his involvement in "The Art of Killing It," an immersive murder mystery comedy that has gained significant traction in Brooklyn. The play, inspired by the classic game Clue, features a diverse cast and multiple endings, enhancing its replay value. He exudes pride over its success and hints at potential expansion beyond Brooklyn.

Additionally, Chinook introduces his role as Yaksha Ra in "The 20 Sided Podcast," a Dungeons & Dragons actual play series. He describes Yaksha Ra as a comedic dragonborn former pirate navigating a perilous adventure:

"Yaksha Ra is a silly little character that I got to play and voice. ... If you're into like tabletop role playing games, it's a very fun podcast network." (24:20)

Chinook concludes by sharing his online presence, encouraging listeners to connect with him via Instagram, TikTok, and his personal website.

Fictional Narrative: "Faking the Grade"

To epitomize the transformation of non-fiction into fiction, the episode features a short story titled "Faking the Grade," written by Michael Kobzik. This narrative follows Yasiru Giroude, a character grappling with the pressures of pleasing his immigrant parents while pursuing his passion for comedy.

Synopsis:

Yasiru, on the brink of graduating with a Ph.D. in geography, decides to abandon his academic pursuits in favor of stand-up comedy. Faced with the challenge of informing his parents, he orchestrates a fake graduation ceremony. The story captures Yasiru's internal turmoil, the strain on his relationships, and his quest for authenticity amidst societal and familial expectations.

Key Moments and Themes:

• Confrontation with Parental Expectations: Yasiru's decision to fake his graduation underscores the tension between personal aspirations and cultural obligations.

  Yasiru reflects, "They came all the way from Sri Lanka just for their kids. And here I am slumming it up in a bar somewhere on Fifth Avenue." (30:07)

• Embracing Authenticity: The narrative highlights Yasiru's journey towards self-acceptance and the courage to pursue his true calling despite fears of failure and judgment.

• The Complexity of Identity: Yasiru's struggle embodies the broader theme of balancing one's heritage with individual desires, a recurrent motif in immigrant narratives.

Conclusion

This episode of True Fiction Project masterfully blends a candid interview with Chinook Te Sara and a fictional tale inspired by his experiences. Through Chinook's story of overcoming academic pressures to embrace his passion for comedy, and Yasiru's fictionalized journey mirroring similar struggles, the episode exemplifies the podcast's core mission: to transform real-life narratives into compelling fiction. Listeners are left inspired by the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between non-fictional experiences and creative expression.

Notable Quotes:

• Chinook Te Sara (02:27): "I think I got my start in stand up and have been doing that probably the longest. ... acting kind of just accidentally fell into it, which has been a lot of fun."

• Chinook Te Sara (06:00): "I remember I left, I was there for like an hour. ... I don't think economics like a career working for a bank is for me."

• Chinook Te Sara (13:05): "I think the day I was like, okay, yeah, this is what I want to do with my life."

• Chinook Te Sara (23:06): "My dad is like, he sees how busy I am ... I'm doing it. And that is something that makes me happy to know that I didn't come here for nothing."

• Yasiru Giroude (30:07): "They came all the way from Sri Lanka just for their kids. And here I am slumming it up in a bar somewhere on Fifth Avenue."

For more inspiring stories that transition non-fiction into riveting fiction, subscribe to the True Fiction Project and explore how everyday experiences can be the foundation for extraordinary narratives.