I’ve signed up for a level 2 improv class, but it’s been a couple of years since I completed level 1. I’m nervous!
I’d love to hear from others interested in improvisation, and perhaps any advice or suggestions on loosening up, getting in the moment, or just being a supportive team member. I think my worst fear is turning into the jackass student who thinks he’s funny and tries to steal every scene. Also, I can’t fake any sort of accent with any sort of believability. :smack:
Thanks, guys!
Are you talking about comedy improv? If so, believable accents have nothing to do with it. Need to be Irish? Imitate the Lucky Charms leprechaun. Mexican? Speedy Gonzales. French? Pepe le Pew. Your goal is for the audience to recognize what you’re trying to do, not to believe you’re of that nationality. But if all your accents end up sounding like Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, that’s comedy right there.
I have many years of improv experience. Key observation: Think primarily about making the other actor(s) look good. It’ll take your attention away from worrying about your own work, it’ll free your imagination, your partners will regard you as a generous performer and will respond by helping you in return. With all of that going on, you’ll be extra sensitive to the great opportunities that occasionally make themselves available from time to time, and you’ll be ready to hit them out of the park.
De sout’ will rise again, mon!
/Joey Tribiani
I studied with the Groundlings (many many years ago), and I second what Cervaise says. Don’t feel like you have to lead - follow what’s happening around you. Allways go with it, whatever it is (think in terms of “Yes, and” rather than “No, but”).
Don’t worry so much about putting on accents or goofy characters, if something comes to you use it, but don’t impose it just to get a cheap laugh.
I pretended to take an improv class once. Graduated with honors too.
I took improv at Second City in Toronto back in '94. It was fantastic. I found out that I’m not that good at improv per se, but what it taught me in terms of keeping in character when things go wrong, being able to fix scenes, paying attention to the other performers - invaluable on stage. I’d love to go back for some brush up, and not just because it’s such a riot. Go nuts or go home!
Well, you know, most of all, “say yes.” If you do that most of the time, if not all, you’ll be fine. Don’t deny what someone just said. Don’t try to create conflict because that’s “more interesting.” It’s not what’s important in improv.
Concentrate on making the other people look good. Set up things so they have something good and easy to bounce off of. That makes you look good in return. Other people really REALLY appreciate partners who give them something to work with. People who can never add on anything to the story are not very helpful to the rest of the group.
Try not to think about “okay what should I do next?” Just open your mouth and see what comes out.
To me, the best improv comes not from people who are trying to be funny. The funny will happen naturally. People who try to be funny look forced and unfunny.
I rarely have used accents. Most people in my experience never use them. Characters, now that’s another thing. But you don’t really need those either. Anyway, a character is just someone you’re not. Your dad or your boss or that guy who sells newspapers are characters. Imitate them just how they are and it will be funny. You don’t have to be some zany thing from SNL.
Where are you taking the class?
I took a couple of classes at The Groundlings. I think the most important things to do are: 1) Do not be afraid to be embarrassing; 2) do not try to steer the routine, if someone says, “I heard just got back from Siberia.” You don’t say, “Actually I just got back from the Amazon.”; 3) Do not punt, i.e put the onus on your fellow performers. this usually happens by asking a question, such, “I don’t know where we are, do you?”; and 4) Go for it, don’t skimp on your performance, really take to it and PERFORM.
So how’s it going?
I took improv many years ago, & not sure what good adivce I can give, except this:
if you want to practice, find a group of gamers. Role playing is good practice.
Cervaise’s advice is very good. Spend your time making everybody else look brilliant.
The biggest problem I ever see is Improv that is a fight over what the scene is “supposed” to be. If we all spent our time looking out for each other- this would never happen. If you come in with a brilliant idea and character in mind and you are dubbed somebody completely diferent- OUT goes brilliant idea and character and instantly you are whoever you dubbed. Never ever say “no”.
And- have a lot of fun. Because that’s what it’s really all about. Spend some time learning what you’re good at and what you enjoy.
I think I posted a question on improv classes a few months ago, and while I got some interesting replies, I have a new question.
At the time, I was very enthusiastic about taking improv classes, but now my shyness has slowly crept back up on me again. (I think being unemployed and out of school for a few months did it for me.)
For those of you that did take improv classes (I’m thinking of doing Second City in Toronto), I’m sure you saw more than just outgoing and extroverted people attending the sessions. How about the rest of the people who appeared to take the classes to “train” themselves out of their shells? How did they do?
By the way, I’m not that shy, but I’m sure I’d feel a little less comfortable in an improv class than in, say, an project team setting where I can to present to colleagues.
Some introverts do great in improv classes. Some extroverts don’t. And vice versa.
Qazzz,
Welcome to the life. Another board you might want to check out is YESand.com 's Message Board, ostensibly dedicated to improv comedy. It’s fraying at the edges from feuds and rants, but that’s mostly in the political forum.
Also: There’s no money to be made at this. None. You have to really love it. You sure are studying in the right city, though.