Life & Work with Sara Newton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Newton.

Hi Sara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m the showrunner for Conservation Comedy- an absurd new sketch show on LA 36.  I created Conservation Comedy because I saw first-hand how much pollution is in our water. I live on a boat in Marina Del Rey; West LA is super expensive and this was my way around it, plus it seemed pretty sexy. I started to notice how much garbage was in the water when I’d wake up. Sometimes it was so shocking that it didn’t seem real, especially after the rains. The city drains go directly into the sea- why and how do we let that happen?

As a filmmaker and a newb to the plastic problem, I wanted to do something different. I watched a lot of sad documentaries and read a lot of depressing articles. A big sad and confusing rabbit hole of information is out there. But- what If I could make bite size funny videos with a message, maybe people will watch them and remember to be better about plastic use. That’s why I started Conservation Comedy- “because sometimes you don’t want to cry.”

Conservation efforts are mostly shame and guilt-based and rightly so. I wanted to laugh at ourselves. We are far from perfect when it comes to conservation. For me, I’ve always wanted to be a showrunner and now- as funny as it is to be on public access, I wouldn’t have this start any other way.

We built a little team and we work out of our boat office in Marina del Rey. Shout out to my producing partner- Will Craig. He’s also our head writer.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road has been smoother than other roads for sure. I do think the pandemic allowed me to really think about what I am doing here- on this planet. Once I understood my calling, it got way easier. I feel supported and people want to be good and do good. Money will follow- I do feel it, but I definitely still have to put my own money behind it. One day a rich baroness will shine down on us and we can make absurdist humor all day long. BUT In the meantime, I do production design and cinematography to keep the lights on; everyone volunteers their time.

I think the hardest part is being dismissed most of the time. If they won’t let you play with them- create on your own. Reinventing, shaking off the gatekeepers, algorithms, and going onto Public Access was the key all along. Nothing is easy of course in this industry, but you can always go home- wherever that is. This is the lion’s den- it should be hard.

Lastly, I feel guilt as a human. I still don’t know the answers to climate change. Once you start trying to do better, you often see how much you fail at it. I don’t know anything for certain, all I do know is that I was called to the plastic crisis and comedy.
That’s the challenge for anyone; to just pick something and do it the best you can: rainforests, orphans, dogs, sex trafficking, climate change. It can be small, but pick a ‘thing’ and do some good. You’ll feel better. We are here to protect the meek. The earth doesn’t need me- I need it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Conservation Comedy is something refreshing; I have a TV show that specializes in environmentalism and the absurdity around it. Conservation Comedy lives by example: we have eco-friendly sets, we have a message, we have beach clean-ups and stand up shows, we partner with others like us. That’s what sets us apart from others; no one else is doing what we are doing. Our precious angel baby is our LA 36 Sketch Comedy show on TV. Ok so its Public Access- but its a TV show. Marina Del Rey Sketch Comedy show pilot aired on Earth Day 2022. We are currently in production on Ep 2 and 3. Our show is kinda like Portlandia meets The Plastic Crisis. We pride ourselves in After-Dark Environmentalism.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
To be a showrunner for a network comedy show. I like the idea of making conservation a cool lifestyle choice as well. This industry is going through some serious changes; I want to be part of a big change somehow. I want my show to be the SNL of public access in LA.
I see us being a name in the conservation fight for sure. Maybe I’ll go to space.

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