Welcome to another edition of Side Hustle Spotlight where I interview actors and filmmakers at different levels of their career who have used their other passions to capitalize on a fulfilling side hustle. These folks no longer or have never had to do serving work that drained their energy and made them miserable. Be sure to check out the original article for inspiration on discovering your side hustle.
This week’s comedian uses the editing, directing, and writing skills he learned from creating his own work to begin freelancing for others.
Name: Boris Khaykin
Side hustle: Writer, director, editor
Years doing comedy: Nine
Favorite credits/opportunities: TimeOut NY pick for Biggest Stars of Brooklyn Comedy Fest, won a Webby doing sketches with “We The Internet,” and was in two webisodes of “Broad City.”
What do you do when a show comes up?
I do a lot of freelance editing outside of any comedy gigs. At the moment I feel lucky that I have enough steady work that I can basically take any gigs and opportunities that arise and go back to editing work to make money in between.
Have you ever felt like your side hustle was in jeopardy because of comedy? How long did it take you to feel like you had security at this side hustle, even if you took time off for a show?
All the time. I’m constantly working on a scale of “closer to my ideal work for less money” to “further from my ideal work for more money” with some great exceptions that I’m still working on making the norm. I was a writer-director for a startup for four and a half years and got to do comedy sketches but then also had to do a ton of learning and marketing content. I also constantly pushed the limit on how much time off I would take by going on tour or leaving during the day for auditions and shoots.
What skills or talents did you need for this side hustle? How long did it take you to qualify or complete training for your side hustle?
Mostly editing, although I’m pretty good with audio production and some graphics work as well. I started editing about seven years ago mostly in an effort to make my own sketches and have more control over putting myself out there. Slowly I realized I was quite good at it and began directing as well. I had a couple of sketches I wrote and produced do well online and then slowly more opportunities started coming my way.
How does this side hustle fulfill you? Do you feel like you’re helping people/society/humanity in a tangible way?
I’m fulfilled in the sense that I think it’s important to be an adult and take care of myself and be in a position to help those around me should they need it. I’ve managed to find a middle ground where I am able to devote significant time and energy to pushing my comedy career and consistently making things I’m proud of. I’m on stage most nights in NYC. Beyond that, I’d obviously like to be doing nothing but comedy. As far as “helping humanity,” I think making people laugh is a good thing whether from the stage or by making videos, so when I work on things that do that I feel good.
Has your side hustle made you better at comedy or achieving your comedy goals?
When I’m working on comedy videos I’m certainly honing all of those skills. Writing a sketch or directing one is just literally living out those goals. I like editing too. It can be fun but it’s still a lot of work and sometimes tedious and I wouldn’t mind letting that one go. I just happen to be good at it and get the most frequent and lucrative work from it.
READ: How to Become a Stand-Up Comedian
Why did you choose to do this side hustle instead of more stereotypical acting side hustles like serving?
Mostly because stand-up is my number one, and waiting tables at night is relatively incompatible with it. But also because as I got more and more production work I was able to make a better living than I would waiting tables. Though not better than anyone else waiting tables. Some people are really good at waiting tables.
Since you produce your own work, do you feel like this current side hustle allows you the freedom/resources to do that?
Most definitely. I’ve received access to a lot of equipment, locations, and production talent thanks to working in that industry. I’ve made a ton of sketches with folks I’ve met working production.
Do you have any advice for comedians that aren’t sure what path to take while they are waiting for comedy to pay all the bills?
Hustle, learn, and look for opportunities, including outside of the ideal. A lot of people who are known for being successful at one thing are actually accomplished at a bunch of things. Everyone feels like if you’re not just doing comedy or just acting then you’ve failed at making your dreams come true, but it’s a pretty simplistic way of looking at it.
Obviously, the ideal is to “make it” but there are artists out there who are relatively successful and are still constantly broke and unhappy, and then there are others who are equally successful but keep side hustles so they can take bigger risks and maintain whatever standard of living they aspire to. Just make sure the real reason you’re not hustling on the side isn’t simply a lack of hustle. Even if it’s not a “side gig,” don’t sit around waiting for opportunities. Learn new skills, whether it’s tangential or totally unrelated. If you have the time, any learning or personal growth will contribute to your art and who you are as a person. Being more well rounded never hurt anyone.
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The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
