Friday, December 30, 2011

Guess why I haven't written in a while. We're now three weeks removed from opening night and I finally have some time to blog. Before I begin...Shameless Plug. If you're in Downtown Fullerton, come visit my new improv comedy theater - Secret City Comics Society of Orange County.

I've titled this blog "The Business of Improv" because I'm doing what I love and trying to make a lot of money doing it. Sure, I'll never be filthy rich doing improv but I'd like to make expenses and pay myself once in a while.

Also, all decisions I make are for the sake of the business. The format of the show, the players I choose, the games we play, the advertising, etc. I'm trying to find the balance between the love the art of improv and economics of turning a profit.

In choosing games, I'm looking at it from an audience standpoint. Will they like it. Audiences love Blind Line, but can they love parallel universe too?

I've patterned much of my show off the San Diego National Comedy Theater show. Now I'm at a point where I can rethink some of the those show elements and ask will it work for an Orange County audience.

Ultimately, I have to find that balance because if I focus too much on the business, the love the art of improv diminishes.

Until next time...

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Improv Tweets for 6/8/11

Improv Comedy Journal

7:17 PM - mypalal: I see fellow improv performers here. They have no idea who I am. Do they care? Probably not. - (Twitter)

Friday, June 03, 2011

Improv Tweets for 6/2/11

Improv Comedy Journal

6:30 PM - mypalal: Grand opening just a day away. Clear your Fri and Sat evening & plan to come to Fullerton for dinner and #improv show. http://ow.ly/57m5Z - (Twitter)

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

The Adventure Becomes Real...Real Fast

Sorry that I haven't been able to blog in a long time. I've been real busy, plus I didn't want to talk about what was happening to the theater just in case things went wrong. But things didn't go wrong and we're opening our doors in 2 days.

Brief plug. The Secret City Comics Society is a brand new improv show in Orange County. Join us this and every Friday and Saturday for our special brand of improv humor.

I've learn a log about opening a business and starting a troupe. I will discuss a lot of the small issues in future blogs.

Right now, I'm excited that we're about to open. At the same time I'm just a little intimidated about this new chapter. My major business goal is to put butts in seats. I need to start building a fan base. I feel like I only have a few months to make that happen.

My creative goal is to create a stable show. I have over a dozen great improvisors in the troupe. Technically, they know how to do the show. Now they have to start coming together as a team. I'm watching my weaker performers and trying to figures out their weaknesses and how to fix it. I'm trying to get my good players to feel like this show is worth doing.

On top of all this, my weekends are gone. Every Friday and Saturday night, I'm going to be living improv and unlike San Diego. I'm in charge. The weight is on my shoulders. I'm trying not to compare myself to the other shows in the area. My only concern is this show.

So I got this off my chest. Now its show time!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Improv Tweets for 5/20/11

Improv Comedy Journal

9:06 AM - mypalal: Want to laugh? Come see a new improv comedy show tonight at Secret City Comics Society in Downtown Fullerton 8:00 pm. http://ow.ly/4ZhER - (Twitter)

2:38 PM - mypalal: Not too late to plan your night in the OC. Free #improv comedy show at Downtown Fullerton. http://ping.fm/gzv42 - (Twitter)

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Improv Tweets for 5/14/11

Improv Comedy Journal

10:40 AM - mypalal: Want to laugh tonight? Previews for a new #improv show in Fullerton at 8 pm Fri and Sat. Tickets $8. Purchase here - http://ow.ly/4PKGl - (Twitter)

Friday, May 13, 2011

Improv Tweets for 5/12/11

Improv Comedy Journal

10:56 PM - mypalal: Want to laugh this weekend? Previews for a new #improv show in Fullerton at 8 pm Fri and Sat. Tickets $8. Purchase here - http://ow.ly/4PKGl - (Twitter)

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Improv Tweets for 5/11/11

Improv Comedy Journal

3:00 PM - mypalal: Citizens of Orange County! Secret City Comic Society is having #Improv Comedy Previews this Fri & Sat at 8:00 pm http://ow.ly/4NBK7 - (Twitter)

8:00 PM - mypalal: Want to laugh this weekend? Previews for a new #improv show in Fullerton at 8 pm Fri and Sat. Tickets $8. Purchase here - http://ow.ly/4PKGl - (Twitter)

Saturday, May 07, 2011

Improv Tweets for 5/6/11

Improv Comedy Journal

2:00 PM - mypalal: My new #improv group, Secret City Comics Society is ready to be unleashed. Join our mailing list. http://ow.ly/4NBFN - (Twitter)

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Improv Tweets for 5/4/11

Improv Comedy Journal

2:02 PM - mypalal: It's official. Our improv show can not legally conduct business at our new location. Previews begin on Friday the 13th. - (Twitter)

2:08 PM - mypalal: It's official. Our improv group can legally perform shows at our new home. Previews begin on Friday the 13th. - (Twitter)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Improv Tweets for 4/16/11

Improv Comedy Journal

10:41 PM - mypalal: Very long day. Ran a tech and dress rehearsal for our new #improv show opening next month. Good dress to lead into great shows. - (Twitter)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Improv Tweets for 3/26/11

Improv Comedy Journal

3:13 PM - mypalal: About to take my new improv troupe to San Diego to show them a real improv show. - (Twitter)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Improv Acting Tip from Bradley Cooper

I'm watching Bradley Cooper on Inside The Actor's Studio. He had this
to say from the Hangover:

[We play] three guys who take a realistic approach to comedy...taking
characters who are idiosyncratic, putting them in outrageous
situations and then play the truth of that moment. And if you play the
truth of that moment comedy will emerge. As opposed to thinking up
funny things to say.

This basically sums up my philosophy of improv comedy.

Sent from my iPad

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Improv Troupes and YouTube

It was bound to happen, I just didn't realize that it would happen so
soon. The request to film the new improv troupe and post it on the
net.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very proud of the team. They are making leaps
and bounds, but I have real problems putting video up at the moment.
One reason is technical, the other is professional.

Let's get the technicals out of the way. Unless I can mic each
individual performer the sound quality of improv performances are
horrible. They all have that open room sound. Solve sound cheaply and
we'll talk.

From a professional stand point, improv on the net sucks. Google it
and you know what I'm talking about. The point of videos online is to
show off your talent. Not let people know just how bad you are.

I'm tempted to post some videos and critique. At the same time, those
who live in glass houses...

Come back and let's see if I make good on my promise.

Sent from my iPad

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Improv Tweets for 3/9/11

Improv Comedy Journal

8:45 PM - mypalal: Awesome show so far at La Habra High. So proud of my Improv Students. - (Twitter)

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Improv Tweets for 2/12/11

Improv Comedy Journal

10:15 AM - mypalal: Want to join a new #improv troupe? #Audition today at the Stage One Dance Studio in Fullerton 1:00 p.m. http://ow.ly/3UOjm - (Twitter)

12:42 PM - mypalal: I'm desperately trying to get out of the house and off to our second audition. I forgot to empty family photos from the camera. #Improv - (Twitter)

6:22 PM - mypalal: We added an additional 5 members to our #improv team. Congrats to everyone. - (Twitter)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Improv Tweets for 2/11/11

Improv Comedy Journal

9:10 PM - mypalal: Want to join a new #improv troupe? #Audition tomorrow at the Stage One Dance Studio in Fullerton 1:00 p.m. http://ow.ly/3UOjm - (Twitter)

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Improv Tweets for 2/5/11

Improv Comedy Journal

3:07 PM - mypalal: #Improv Comedy #Audition set for February 12 at Stage One Dance Studio in Fullerton. Check here for info: www.bowlingalliesevents.com - (Twitter)

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Improv Tweets for 2/1/11

Improv Comedy Journal

7:38 PM - mypalal: Join us February 12 - 1:00 p.m. at the Stage One Dance Studio in Fullerton for an #improv comedy #audition. http://ow.ly/3Oylj - (Twitter)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/27/11

Improv Comedy Journal

10:55 PM - mypalal: Finally...we've found a new home for our little improv troupe. Details to come. Now I can actually start promoting the new show. - (Twitter)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/25/11

Improv Comedy Journal

5:10 PM - mypalal: We're soooo close to announcing a home for my new improv troupe. I know if I post this I'm going to jinx it. - (Twitter)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/24/11

Improv Comedy Journal

11:14 PM - mypalal: Great week in Improv. Awesome time about Improv Boot Camp with new team. Even better time with our first High School league school! - (Twitter)

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/22/11

Improv Comedy Journal

9:39 AM - mypalal: Going over my notes at the last minute for our first Improv Boot Camp. Very important day for our troupe. - (Twitter)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/19/11

Improv Comedy Journal

9:35 PM - mypalal: Join us February 12 - 1:00 p.m. at the Stage One Dance Studio for an #improv comedy #audition. Click here for details. http://ow.ly/3GWp8 - (Twitter)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Auditions and rehearsals

I'm doing my best to keep this blog moving and still keep it interesting. My hope is to start keeping this interesting.

We had our first auditions last week. We had 47 people sign up on Facebook and on our website. Only 18 people showed up. I mentioned in my last blog that the criteria for making the team was wide open. This was certainly true. I was basically looking at people who looked comfortable on stage, knew a little improv and a third criteria that I didn't anticipate...distance.

I decided to make distance a criteria, especially for those that I felt was on the border. I eliminated about 3 people using this criteria. My feeling was that many of the people I took had experience, but needed more teaching. Was it going to be worth teaching people who where going to travel well over an hour to get to the location. Also the further someone has to travel the more likely they are to quit the team.

I found 12 good people and a former NCTer, Dick Spenneberg join on for a total of 14 people including me.

Not bad. I definitely hope most will stay around. I suppose I can do a show with 14 people, but that's a lot of burden to place on a small group.

I want my show to feature 7 people. 3-on-3 with a referee but we can survive on 2-on-2 with a referee.

The next phase is training and team building. Our first rehearsal was this past Tuesday. All but 2 showed up. I knew about the two who would not be there. We learned the NCT warm-ups and I began to teach our opening games, What Are You Doing and Sideline Debate.

I'm teaching the gimmick games now, because we have an improv boot camp next week, where I'll teach the basics of scene-based games. So only gimmicks for now.

Regarding team building, my goal is to keep momentum high, while coming through on the promise of teaching valuable improv skills. Wish me look.

Until next time...

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/11/11

Improv Comedy Journal

4:13 PM - mypalal: Really busy today. I finally have a chance to get ready for my first Improv rehearsal. The cast is currently 14 members strong. - (Twitter)

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/8/11

Improv Comedy Journal

11:39 AM - mypalal: Improv auditions are at 1:00 p.m. I'm getting all the supplies and papers pulled together. Still spaces at the Fullerton Marriott at CSUF. - (Twitter)

7:12 PM - mypalal: I feel like I'm changing religions. We've decided to make the improv theatre an Apple theatre. - (Twitter)

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Auditions...Today

Well the day has come and the Auditions are about 2 and a half hours away at the Fullerton Marriott. Am I nervous? Yes. I'm not so nervous about the audition itself, but I'm more nervous about the event running smoothly.

Fortunately I have a great team helping me out. I've got 2 friends from the San Diego NCT running a few of the games and it helps that they've been here before.

I've also got family and friends helping with registration. My hope all goes well and smoothly and I can just get what I need done.

That said, getting the word out about the audition was not easy at all. Let me share what worked and what didn't.

What worked, Facebook ads. Nice and cheap. Networking. I got a lot of sign ups from friends of friends.

What didn't work. Posting at colleges. This was my fault. I couldn't get the notice up until a week before finals. Result. No college students attending.

Back Stage West. I got 2 referrals for $75. I'm glad they gave me 50% off my listing.

Check in and I'll tell you how things went.

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Improv Tweets for 1/3/11

Improv Comedy Journal

11:42 PM - mypalal: Tying up a few dozen loose ends for the upcoming #improv #audition. Looks like we're going to have a big turnout. http://ow.ly/3xPdf - (Twitter)