Downright Upright

What Do We Do About “That Guy”

improvnonsense:

I added a new page to the left-hand margin of this blog to answer one of the most common categories of questions people send to this blog.

http://improvnonsense.tumblr.com/thatguy

ucbbook:

The UCB’s official class description, as it appeared on the theater’s web site in the late ’90s.

SOULMATES coming to the LA Improv Festival

Friends, improvisers, tumblrers… I will be performing with Soulmates tomorrow night (Tuesday, 6/4!) at Midnight at the LA Improv festival. We’re in Round 1 of the cagematch tournament, up against the Bro Squad 5. Should be fun.

Tix are normally $5, but I got some free comps if you want one. Just message me before 3PM Tuesday and I’ll get your name on the list.

More info on the Facebook event.

Know Everything!

improvnonsense:

I get in trouble for saying that because I deliberately say it in a jerk manner. KNOW EVERYTHING. When someone says “I didn’t know the movie my partner was mentioning” I’ll sometimes say “Well, you don’t HAVE to know it but it would be easier if you knew it.”

And then people are like “Why do I have to like Star Wars?”

And I say “Who said anything about Star Wars?”

“All these improv nerd boys love Star Wars and can’t stop mentioning it. I hate that HAVE to know it.”

I know. It’s annoying.

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Improv Coaching Etiquette

khealywu:

I’ve been thinking about making one of these for awhile. This first section is how I think indie teams and practice groups should interact with their coach.

• 24 hour notice for making any changes / cancellations. If you’re cancelling day of, you and your team owe your coach their standard fee.
• 2 hour minimum for 3+ people. I’ve done too many 1 hour coaching sessions lately, and I’m not sure where it started or why it’s suddenly accepted, but it shouldn’t be. An hour is not enough time.
• Be on time. You’re paying for the time, get your money’s worth!
• Do you have a coach you work with regularly? Email them once, 3-4 days before your regular rehearsing time to confirm. Confirm all the details, even if nothing’s changed. Just a good habit.
• If the location has changed, include a street address so they can get directions straight from the email.
• Don’t text to request a coach, unless it’s a last minute fill in.
• Set the room up as soon as you can get in there. You are spending the money, chat while you set up the room. 4 chairs on the backline, mirrors covered and a chair for the coach. Put your stuff on the other side of the room from the backline so you don’t accidentally step on anybody’s stuff.

Etiquette for Coaches

• Respond to emails promptly.
• Provide your phone number so the group can get in touch with you.
• Get there early, or at the very least on time. Do not be late. It’s the worst! This is your job, treat it like one!
• Help set up the room, but don’t do it for them.
• If you have time, stay behind to give feedback to anyone who wants it. I know you’re not technically getting paid for this time, but I think it’s important.
• Bring a dedicated coaching notebook and two pens.
• Put sessions in your calendar RIGHT AWAY.
• If (heaven forbid) you miss a session without giving notice, you owe the group / team a free session.
• If your schedule changes and you can’t coach when you had confirmed, offer to get a replacement for them.

If you’ve been coaching a performing team for awhile, and your schedule permits, go to some of their shows, and be ready to give them notes on their set. Audiences, and the adrenaline of live performances change the dynamic of a team, and having the consistency of getting notes from their coach is hugely valuable for a team.

So that’s what I think! What points of improv coaching etiquette have I missed?

UPDATED: Improv Reading List

Hey it’s that time again. It’s been 5 months since the last update to the Improv Reading List. For my new followers: the improv reading list is the greatest hits version of this blog and improv nerdery on the internet. I do my best to catalog all of my favorite things I read there.

But it’s getting pretty long, so if you check out the main page, you’ll see two new sections Class Notes (compiles class notes found on Tumblr) and Classes & Shows in LA (guide to classes and shows for LA locals).

Added to the reading list:

• The Legacy of Heather & Miles by Sabrina London
• [podcast] Dickie Copeland on Improv Obsession
• [podcast] Matt Besser on Improv Nerd
• You Will Never Figure this Out by Will Hines
• Let’s All Go to Camp by Stephen Perlstein
• [video] The SAG Foundation introduction to all of Los Angeles’ Improv schools, including The Miles Stroth Workshop, UCB, Groundlings, iO, and Second City.
• [video] That time Snoop Dogg gave a shout out to the UCB NY Harold auditioners.
• A Thing I Like About Improv by Hal Phillips
• Groundlings and (but not vs.) UCB by Tim Stafford
• Find the Thing You’re Most Passionate About & Do It On Nights and Weekends for the Rest of Your Life (from The Onion)
• [video] 3 Step at the Improv Prize Fight Tournament

Check it out.