Comments for Improvoker http://improvoker.com Agreement With Attitude Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:35:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Comment on Which Improv School is Right for Me? by KL http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/1jcDH7nY4ZE/ KL Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:35:57 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=341#comment-4089 Eva's post was from awhile back, but I will go ahead and answer anyway. I think improv classes are for anyone who wants to join them. They're not just for 20 somethings. I'm 33 and a HS teacher by day; and after a 10 year hiatus from acting in college, I now take improv lessons regularly. Bring whatever you bring to the improv class--life experience you have that others may not have, your skills, your creative explosions. :D It's important to know yourself and to be confident in your abilities. It's all about bringing your POV in a scene, about listening, about surfing on the tide of the moment--not about age. If there is any incongruity in a scene regarding age or references you don't understand from the younger generation, so be it. Life is full of people of all ages, and so I think it is good to have a balance, don't you? Do what you love, we only have one life. Good luck. Eva’s post was from awhile back, but I will go ahead and answer anyway. I think improv classes are for anyone who wants to join them. They’re not just for 20 somethings. I’m 33 and a HS teacher by day; and after a 10 year hiatus from acting in college, I now take improv lessons regularly. Bring whatever you bring to the improv class–life experience you have that others may not have, your skills, your creative explosions. :D It’s important to know yourself and to be confident in your abilities. It’s all about bringing your POV in a scene, about listening, about surfing on the tide of the moment–not about age. If there is any incongruity in a scene regarding age or references you don’t understand from the younger generation, so be it. Life is full of people of all ages, and so I think it is good to have a balance, don’t you? Do what you love, we only have one life. Good luck.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2008/05/19/which-improv-school-is-right-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-4089 Comment on The Quest Group Game by vinny http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/-q_4i84_-hk/ vinny Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:07:49 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=589#comment-3519 We took Campbell's "Hero's Journey" as our inspiration for the Epic Adventure show we've been taking to festivals (including last year's DCM) http://www.delclosemarathon.com/dcm12/shows/view/187/2 Having little experience in the "game" approach to improv but lots in the "narrative" approach to improv, it's weird for me to frame one in terms of the other. It feels like we're talking about the same thing but using a different language. I should spend some time in NYC... We took Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” as our inspiration for the Epic Adventure show we’ve been taking to festivals (including last year’s DCM)
http://www.delclosemarathon.com/dcm12/shows/view/187/2

Having little experience in the “game” approach to improv but lots in the “narrative” approach to improv, it’s weird for me to frame one in terms of the other. It feels like we’re talking about the same thing but using a different language. I should spend some time in NYC…

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/11/07/the-quest-group-game/comment-page-1/#comment-3519 Comment on The Quest Group Game by Todd http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/IF_ZfFFXLow/ Todd Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:16:45 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=589#comment-3518 Yes, the quest sounds complicated. It seems like a great story teaching tool more than a performance game. To me, plot in improv is akin to scales in jazz in that when I am in a scene it is like the musician playing a jazz piece. The musician uses the scales, but doesn't put them forward in his mind, instead he focuses on where the song is going, the timing, and the "feel". As a story-based improviser I like to use games like "The Quest" to drill plot in rehearsal so that when I get on stage, in the middle of a story, I can draw on those ideas unconsciously. The Quest seems perfect for that. Yes, the quest sounds complicated. It seems like a great story teaching tool more than a performance game. To me, plot in improv is akin to scales in jazz in that when I am in a scene it is like the musician playing a jazz piece. The musician uses the scales, but doesn’t put them forward in his mind, instead he focuses on where the song is going, the timing, and the “feel”. As a story-based improviser I like to use games like “The Quest” to drill plot in rehearsal so that when I get on stage, in the middle of a story, I can draw on those ideas unconsciously. The Quest seems perfect for that.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/11/07/the-quest-group-game/comment-page-1/#comment-3518 Comment on Book: A Funny Thing Happened at Mount Sinai by Matthew Stillman by Ben Whitehouse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/PPh6ciXlhNo/ Ben Whitehouse Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:41:45 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=546#comment-3401 Never read <em>Tao of Pooh</em> with improv in mind (love the idea!), but I completely agree that impov is everywhere and the lessons we learn in improv are applicable to just about anything. <em>Has anyone written 'Pride and Prejudice and Improv'? I think we could start a movement.</em> I think these philosophical books on improv do something really interesting in that they make the reader look at improv from another vantage. Always a good thing in my mind. Never read Tao of Pooh with improv in mind (love the idea!), but I completely agree that impov is everywhere and the lessons we learn in improv are applicable to just about anything.

Has anyone written ‘Pride and Prejudice and Improv’? I think we could start a movement.

I think these philosophical books on improv do something really interesting in that they make the reader look at improv from another vantage. Always a good thing in my mind.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/10/18/a-funny-thing-happened-mount-sinai/comment-page-1/#comment-3401 Comment on Book: A Funny Thing Happened at Mount Sinai by Matthew Stillman by Todd Erler http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/1v0wYpAv2i4/ Todd Erler Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:04:57 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=546#comment-3399 I love "cross-over" improv books, books that explore improv from different perspectives, or explore life from an improv perspective. Another great one is Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madison. Or, here is something cool, read The Tao Of Pooh with improv in mind. There is much wisdom in that book. I blogged about that here: http://improvmantra.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/pooh-speaks/ I'd love to hear other people's favorite non-improv, improv books. I love “cross-over” improv books, books that explore improv from different perspectives, or explore life from an improv perspective. Another great one is Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madison. Or, here is something cool, read The Tao Of Pooh with improv in mind. There is much wisdom in that book. I blogged about that here:

http://improvmantra.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/pooh-speaks/

I’d love to hear other people’s favorite non-improv, improv books.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/10/18/a-funny-thing-happened-mount-sinai/comment-page-1/#comment-3399 Comment on Which Improv School is Right for Me? by eva http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/CCNHyNFdM2s/ eva Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:29:24 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=341#comment-3276 I am fascinated with improv and would love to try it. But I am older (over 40! I feel like I'm confessing guilt to a horrible crime!) and a mom and it seems like improv (and comedy in general) is all about twentysomethings right out of college and not a very welcoming environment. Is there any group that welcomes "nontraditional" students? BTW, I just finished a Master's Program and although everyone thought my scripts were very funny, every professor and working professional told me there was no future in comedy. Funny but discouraged! I am fascinated with improv and would love to try it. But I am older (over 40! I feel like I’m confessing guilt to a horrible crime!) and a mom and it seems like improv (and comedy in general) is all about twentysomethings right out of college and not a very welcoming environment. Is there any group that welcomes “nontraditional” students? BTW, I just finished a Master’s Program and although everyone thought my scripts were very funny, every professor and working professional told me there was no future in comedy.

Funny but discouraged!

]]> http://improvoker.com/2008/05/19/which-improv-school-is-right-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-3276 Comment on The Secunda Argument Wheel by Ben Warheit http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/rlhjnnrth4g/ Ben Warheit Tue, 03 May 2011 00:09:03 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=510#comment-3258 More diagrams! More diagrams!

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/31/secunda-argument-wheel/comment-page-1/#comment-3258 Comment on Which Improv School is Right for Me? by CourseHorse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/2kUy0nHvk8Y/ CourseHorse Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:44:55 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=341#comment-3217 It can't hurt to try a few before you pick a school to stick with - unless you're using the reputation of the school to get you in somewhere, I'd focus on the classes that seem to make you most excited about it and offer you the most useful instruction that you might not have encountered elsewhere. Also, for a few other options, check out Gotham City Improv and the People's Improv Group. It can’t hurt to try a few before you pick a school to stick with — unless you’re using the reputation of the school to get you in somewhere, I’d focus on the classes that seem to make you most excited about it and offer you the most useful instruction that you might not have encountered elsewhere. Also, for a few other options, check out Gotham City Improv and the People’s Improv Group.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2008/05/19/which-improv-school-is-right-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-3217 Comment on IMPROV: No Questions (Out Loud)! by vinnyfrancois http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/pL3ptnSI060/ vinnyfrancois Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:17:59 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=509#comment-3211 Still kicking around. :) I've been hanging out at blog.montrealimprov.com these days. Yeah, you're right, in the context of teaching newer performers saying no can definitely be trouble. As Dan mentions above, new performers typically ask questions when they don't want to define. But I also like to teach "No, and" alongside the "Yes, and". Still kicking around. :) I’ve been hanging out at blog.montrealimprov.com these days.

Yeah, you’re right, in the context of teaching newer performers saying no can definitely be trouble. As Dan mentions above, new performers typically ask questions when they don’t want to define. But I also like to teach “No, and” alongside the “Yes, and”.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/19/improv-no-questions-out-loud/comment-page-1/#comment-3211 Comment on IMPROV: No Questions (Out Loud)! by Ben Whitehouse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/tTPVSF_pSXw/ Ben Whitehouse Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:04:26 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=509#comment-3210 Hey Vinny nice to see you're still around. For a seasoned performer you're absolutely right saying no to "Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?" will not make them bat an eye, but take a new performer and you could have a very frustrating scene. As for myself, if someone were to say “Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?” my reponse would probably be "No! Of course not! I wouldn't use that hammer - that hammer's filthy." ;) Hey Vinny nice to see you’re still around. For a seasoned performer you’re absolutely right saying no to “Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?” will not make them bat an eye, but take a new performer and you could have a very frustrating scene.

As for myself, if someone were to say “Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?” my reponse would probably be “No! Of course not! I wouldn’t use that hammer — that hammer’s filthy.” ;)

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/19/improv-no-questions-out-loud/comment-page-1/#comment-3210 Comment on IMPROV: No Questions (Out Loud)! by vinnyfrancois http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/_IMH9u_MfZk/ vinnyfrancois Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:55:23 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=509#comment-3209 PS: Welcome back! The world needs more improv blogs. PS: Welcome back! The world needs more improv blogs.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/19/improv-no-questions-out-loud/comment-page-1/#comment-3209 Comment on IMPROV: No Questions (Out Loud)! by vinnyfrancois http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/LkEgTpUuUY0/ vinnyfrancois Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:52:34 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=509#comment-3208 Hmm. I'd disagree that saying "No" to the "Did you kill..." question gets you into trouble. That exchange signals, to me at least, that you're playing a detective game of some kind, where the murderer is trying to avoid being found out. The character can say "No." so long as the actor is saying "Yes." As always, it's not only what you say, it's how you say it. Hmm. I’d disagree that saying “No” to the “Did you kill…” question gets you into trouble. That exchange signals, to me at least, that you’re playing a detective game of some kind, where the murderer is trying to avoid being found out. The character can say “No.” so long as the actor is saying “Yes.”

As always, it’s not only what you say, it’s how you say it.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/19/improv-no-questions-out-loud/comment-page-1/#comment-3208 Comment on The Secunda Argument Wheel by Ben Whitehouse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/IiUGJo5vpis/ Ben Whitehouse Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:51:17 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=510#comment-3207 Never left, just been digesting a really big sandwich. Took a poop, now I'm back. I seem to remember a series of posts on the 10 commandments? <em>chop chop.</em> Never left, just been digesting a really big sandwich. Took a poop, now I’m back.

I seem to remember a series of posts on the 10 commandments? chop chop.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/31/secunda-argument-wheel/comment-page-1/#comment-3207 Comment on IMPROV: No Questions (Out Loud)! by Ben Whitehouse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/zT57F3jX8EQ/ Ben Whitehouse Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:45:05 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=509#comment-3206 Dan, I think questions can be a useful in improv as well, but as your example shows, if your partner says "No" to the question of "Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?" you are in trouble. Yes you have added quite a lot of information to the scene, but it's still not the most active choice. If you had instead accused your partner "Oh my god! You killed Mr. Robins with this hammer!" there is no room for a denial. For starting improvisers, I believe questions should be avoided. Once you and your partner understand the rules and have a grasp of how scenes work, I see nothing wrong with a good question. Dan, I think questions can be a useful in improv as well, but as your example shows, if your partner says “No” to the question of “Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?” you are in trouble. Yes you have added quite a lot of information to the scene, but it’s still not the most active choice. If you had instead accused your partner “Oh my god! You killed Mr. Robins with this hammer!” there is no room for a denial.

For starting improvisers, I believe questions should be avoided. Once you and your partner understand the rules and have a grasp of how scenes work, I see nothing wrong with a good question.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/19/improv-no-questions-out-loud/comment-page-1/#comment-3206 Comment on The Secunda Argument Wheel by matthew http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/EgZihmrQXak/ matthew Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:41:49 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=510#comment-3205 improvoker is back?! improvoker is back?!

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/31/secunda-argument-wheel/comment-page-1/#comment-3205 Comment on IMPROV: No Questions (Out Loud)! by Dan Richter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/3ApKEOsgN30/ Dan Richter Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:27:57 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=509#comment-3204 I think questions aren't questions. It depends on whether you (1) try to draw information from your partner or (2) provide information? Examples: (1) "What's this?" would be a question out of fear. The improviser doesn't want to define. (2) "Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?" The improvisers provides info: He defines the object, a deed in the past, and a drive of the scene. (Assuming that the answer won't be "No." ;-) Questions are normal in conventional theater. Why try to eliminate them in improvisational theatre? Use them in a smart way. I think questions aren’t questions. It depends on whether you (1) try to draw information from your partner or (2) provide information?
Examples:
(1) “What’s this?“
would be a question out of fear. The improviser doesn’t want to define.
(2) “Did you kill Mr. Robins with this hammer?“
The improvisers provides info: He defines the object, a deed in the past, and a drive of the scene. (Assuming that the answer won’t be “No.” ;-)

Questions are normal in conventional theater. Why try to eliminate them in improvisational theatre?
Use them in a smart way.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2011/01/19/improv-no-questions-out-loud/comment-page-1/#comment-3204 Comment on The Note That Sent Me Further On A Voyage of Discovery by Eun Kapinos http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/2SFUjitCGmM/ Eun Kapinos Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:53:38 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=479#comment-3199 I'm still learning from you, as I'm improving myself. I absolutely love reading everything that is posted on your site.Keep the stories coming. I loved it! I’m still learning from you, as I’m improving myself. I absolutely love reading everything that is posted on your site.Keep the stories coming. I loved it!

]]> http://improvoker.com/2009/01/20/the-note/comment-page-1/#comment-3199 Comment on The Raw Harold (Explosion) by kfz versicherung vergleich http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/wCinYzBpvns/ kfz versicherung vergleich Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:49:44 +0000 http://improvoker.com/1999/11/30/the-raw-harold-explosion/#comment-3192 last few days our class held a similar discussion on this subject and you illustrate something we have not covered yet, thanks. - Kris last few days our class held a similar discussion on this subject and you illustrate something we have not covered yet, thanks.

- Kris

]]> http://improvoker.com/2008/03/14/the-raw-harold-explosion/comment-page-1/#comment-3192 Comment on Authors by USS Rock N Roll » Blog Archive » Improvoker and Story Robot – 2 improv blogs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/J0xl8HObItQ/ USS Rock N Roll » Blog Archive » Improvoker and Story Robot – 2 improv blogs Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:39:52 +0000 http://improvoker.com/bucket/#comment-3162 [...] Improvoker is a blog based out of NYC. The authors Ben Whitehouse, Amy Whitehouse and Pilip Buuck seem real into this thing called improv. I recommend trying out their blog and keeping it in the [...] […] Improvoker is a blog based out of NYC. The authors Ben Whitehouse, Amy Whitehouse and Pilip Buuck seem real into this thing called improv. I recommend trying out their blog and keeping it in the […]

]]> http://improvoker.com/about/authors/comment-page-1/#comment-3162 Comment on Del Close Marathon part XI by Ben Whitehouse http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ImprovokerComments/~3/h0cGJoHF6m8/ Ben Whitehouse Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:42:55 +0000 http://improvoker.com/?p=503#comment-3156 Can't wait Ryan, be sure and say hello. Can’t wait Ryan, be sure and say hello.

]]> http://improvoker.com/2009/08/10/del-close-marathon-part-xi/comment-page-1/#comment-3156