Improv Tweets for 1/30/09

Improv Comedy Journal

9:44 AM - mypalal: feels bad about missing his family's Chinese New Year dinner. But I'm teaching improv in San Diego. - (Twitter)

2:55 PM - mypalal: was asked in his Level 1 Improv Workshop, "Is improv, comedic tourettes?" http://ping.fm/a05d7 - (Twitter)

Improv Comedy Theory - Comedic Tourettes

Last week, I began a new Level 1 Improv Comedy session. During the general question answering time, one of my students asked me if Improv was basically Comedic Tourettes. Basically its the idea that you just blurt out what comes to mind. My answer was decided "No!"

But I can see why he asked the question. When I was with Just Us, I felt like I was surrounded by comedians with tourettes. Back when I started performing improv, I would always psyche myself out by hoping I could be funny. I would worry about whether or not I could make people laugh or just look boring on stage. What if I don't say the funniest thing in the scene? What if I don't say anything funny?

Since its improv, you can come up with things to say or do before the show. You have to come up with that comic gem on the spot. I'll be honest, I'm not that good.  I'm not that fast.

So what do I do? I know I've talked about this before but it always comes back to basic storytelling.  When a scene starts you have to know your telling a story with 2 or more other people. Can you set in motion a scene that has legs behind it? Will your scene have a direction to go in? Are the choices that I'm making guide the scene to a logical end or am I just looking for moments to be funny?

When does the story get funny? The comedy comes with the gimmick of the game begins to infect your scene.  When the change of emotion cause the scene to go in a different direction or the random lines causes the character to make a change in attitude.

So no. Improv is not comedic tourettes. I'll submit that very few performers can truly be funny coming up with random thoughts off the top of their heads.

Improv Tweets for 1/29/09

Improv Comedy Journal

9:56 AM - Interesting Blog about Improv Comedy from Wil Wheaton:  I have not been able to ready is thoroughly, but I'm not sure I 100% agree. - (Tumblr)

Improv Tweets for 1/27/09

Improv Comedy Journal

7:20 PM - "One of the most important things in comedy is empathy."

- Ricky Gervais, Inside the Actor's Studio, 2009 - (Tumblr)

Improv Tweets for 1/25/09

Improv Comedy Journal

2:25 PM - mypalal: Finally recovered after 2 great shows last night. I'm gald to be back performing improv - (Twitter)

Improv Tweets for 1/24/09

Improv Comedy Journal

12:18 PM - mypalal: is getting ready to head off to San Diego. Tickets are still available tonight. - (Twitter)

12:20 PM - mypalal: I'm going over my first Improv Workshop notes. Making some minor tweaks. - (Twitter)

12:24 PM - mypalal: It's printing notes time and then trying to figure out how I'm gonna get there. - (Twitter)

12:27 PM - mypalal: Looks like I'm taking the 5. No traffic. I'm having 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then off and away. - (Twitter)

12:36 PM - mypalal: lunch is packed and I'm on my way. - (Twitter)

2:16 PM - MyPalAl checked in @ National Comedy Theatre
MyPalAl checked in @ National Comedy Theatre - (Brightkite)

2:18 PM - MyPalAl posted a text message @ National Comedy Theatre
arrived at NCT and is watching my old students taking Level 2 improv. - (Brightkite)

2:20 PM - MyPalAl posted a photo @ National Comedy Theatre

Level 2 Improv in progress. - (Brightkite)

2:21 PM - mypalal: I wish the theater sold something other than Pepsi. - (Twitter)

2:38 PM - mypalal: Hey I'm a pretty good teacher. My old students are not bad. - (Twitter)

5:25 PM - mypalal: is done with Level 1. Now for dinner at Saffron. improv - (Twitter)

6:02 PM - mypalal: I have a really good class this time around. Good energy. - (Twitter)

6:07 PM - mypalal: Finally remembered the theater WIFI password. It's so stupid. Online yeah! improv - (Twitter)

6:53 PM - mypalal: is officially fatter than Matt McDonald. improv - (Twitter)

8:55 PM - mypalal: just rock the 1st half. Played WAYD, Columns, Blind Date ReplayAnd 5 things. Welcome back MattJ improv - (Twitter)

9:50 PM - mypalal: Won the first show. Sold Out. played anamatronic Ursula, da doo run run and 185. improv - (Twitter)

Improv Tweets for 1/23/09

Improv Comedy Journal

1:32 PM - mypalal: Just a reminder that I'm performing improv tomorrow night at the National Comedy Theater 7:30 and 9:45. www.nationalcomedy.com - (Twitter)

2:21 PM -

This pretty creepy. Great Job Guy. - (Tumblr)

2:24 PM -

I've not been able to catch up with 24 lately. Now I am. - (Tumblr)

Improv Tweets for 1/21/09

Improv Comedy Journal

12:02 PM -

Ahh, Sweet Memories from the campaign. - (Tumblr)

Improv Tweets for 1/20/09

Improv Comedy Journal

11:15 AM - Comedy Warehouse Reunion Show: I really wish I could go to this. The Comedy Warehouse was one of the things I looked forward to the most at every trip to Walt Disney World. - (Tumblr)

4:33 PM - mypalal: is just 4 days from performing after over a month. www.nationalcomedy.com improv - (Twitter)

Improv Tweets for 1/12/09

Improv Comedy Journal

4:42 PM - mypalal: has 15 students so far for his Level 1 improv class. - (Twitter)

Improv Tweets for 1/3/09

Improv Comedy Journal

6:41 PM - mypalal: is watching Crimes and Misdemeanors. Comedy = Trajedy + Time. - (Twitter)