It’s amazing how many things you can do when you’re just pretending -Kim Gordon
(bassist with post-punk rockers Sonic Youth) -In IMPROV we strive to play as kids once again, letting go of life and it’s heavy burden’s by blocking out daily surface noise for the few hours we are in class or on stage. Then we can tap into our subconscious and discover the many treasures stored there.
Sinbad; It’s Just Family aired on the WE television network. It was a short-lived comedy/reality television show focused on Comedian Sinbad’s life. I was cast as a Hollywood studio exec with one day on set and several lines of dialogue. In our scene Sinbad pitches a script idea to me suggesting Halle Berry play the role of his wife. I arrived on set the morning of our taping and after going through hair and makeup we began rehearsal which consisted of running our lines a couple times. After the second or third run through I replied in a droll stoic tone that I actually didn’t see Halle Berry in the role of his wife but felt that Oprah was a better match. Sinbad laughed. It was a comedic moment that broke the ice and added a natural element to the shoot. It was also an action taken after I'd read the room! Because time is money in film and television my comment could have backfired causing tension with the Director and/or the star or even could have been cause for my firing. The results however helped the scene, allowing us to shoot the scene quickly with a relaxed air, saving both time and money.
In television as in IMPROV it is important to read the room and get a feel for the mood of those around you before taking any action. In IMPROV we check in with our scene partner (or should) at the top of the scene before speaking.
THURSDAYS
TH (Nov 12th) and every TH GUL Improv Comedy drop-in workshop 7-9pm at 5 Star
Premier Residence 8500 Sunrise Blvd. Plantation FL 33322 Only $10 ($5 first time attendees) TH game play is in full swing covering some of the games in our next couple of shows as well as light skill work. Even if you’re not in the upcoming show this workshop is gonna be fun and full of laughter! TH is an evening of games & light skill work. ALL LEVELS!
The English Channel is a mere ditch - Napoleon In IMPROV Have confidence in yourself and support your scene partner! The audience will be invested in the scene and in your succeeding. The task at hand will seem much smaller.
SUNDAYS
4x4 Improv SUN (Nov 8th) and every SUN Improv drop-in workshop! 2-4pm at Circle of Friends 4603 University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 Only $10 This week we’ll do object and space work, solidify scene partner connections, dig deeper into the Invocation exploring what drives it and play a game if time allows. If you truly want to grow your Improv come to this workshop! SUN is skill work, exercises and a game. Recommended for Improvisers with some experience.
NEXT SUNDAY EVENING PERFORMANCE
SUN Nov 15th show is at 6pm at Circle of Friends 4603 N. University Dr. Lauderhill FL 33351 FREE!!! Performer call-time is 5:15pm. Dress is black button down top (dark blue if you do not own black) and dark jeans or slacks or a dark skirt. Be comfortable in clothing that allows you to move. This is our first performance in awhile and it’s designed to knock the cobwebs off and make us shiny.
Since this is an early show, you can eat before or after. The show will last an hour and there will be a short open jam at the end in which I’ll invite audience members to join us for games and/or scene tag at the end if there is enough interest. I counted at least 40 chairs so we should have plenty of seating. The show is FREE. Please invite friends, fans, family and even other Improvisers. Kids are welcome at this show! The address is Circle of Friends and Stars 4603 N. University Blvd. Lauderhill FL 33351 Think of this show as a big pre-Thanksgiving party! Let’s have fun!!!
NOTE: There will be regular class Sunday 2-4pm and I might add those attending will be warmed up and ready to rock! If you did not yet sign up for the December 5th shows and still want to play you will be able to sign up this week.
Look for the SUN show roster to arrive in a separate email coming tonight. If you have any questions or if I’ve put you in a game you don’t want to play or have a question about please see me privately and I’ll do my best to address your concerns.
Standing in at the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans I stepped glanced up to see Louis Armstrong park in the distance, marked by its name arching over the entrance, all lit up with small bulbs and reaching out of the jet black night. I could feel the park’s past and it’s present having been where slaves were brought on Sunday’s and allowed to mingle with those from other Plantations. Just down the street from Louis Armstrong Park sits Blackbeard’s original blacksmith shop where he purportedly traded in stolen goods. Today the original blacksmith shop is an open air bar serving drinks by candle light.
As an IMPROVISER you should be able to take an audience to a location through your object work, dialogue and interaction with your scene partner. How would you convey this location?
See you in the movies!
Best
Greg
Greg Philippi
Director
GotULaughing/4x4 Improv
323-829-1117
ianclearspot@gmail.com
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