Short form practice group

[Richard White]

Since the other short form thread has run its course and moved on to other topics, I thought I'd begin anew with an idea Ross and I discussed last night.

Since DAVE is going to be put on the back burner until the next round o'auditions, I want to ask if there is anyone out there who might enjoy the idea of a short form practice group starting up for a weekly or every other week (bi-weekly?) rehearsal to continue sharpening or honing the skills. It would be best to keep this group to folks who have taken the 303-S class, but some exceptions might be made due to short-form experience. Honestly, it isn't going to be a teaching group, because Corey Brown already instructs an awesome class; this will be more of a having fun with short form with experienced improvisors that can be played at Inside Improv on occasion until DAVE is ready to rock and roll.

Let me know if anyone's interested - we would be basically self-coached, so there's no payment involved either.

[Kit's Alter Ego]

I'd certainly be interested in more shortform time.

Biweekly might be all I could manage at the moment though.

--Kit

[PT]

I'd like to , but I havent got the time as of now. I havent touced short form since my senior year in high school, but I remember its good times. People, you should try to do it though, it is fun!

[CoreyBrown]

You touched it in the short form tourney.

[Ross White]

DAVE was not cast on Sunday, as Zach and I did not feel that we had a critical mass of people with extensive shortform experience to make the team work. If you are interested in DAVE, the absolute best thing you can do is sign up for Corey's class.

Here's why Corey's class will be a huge boon:

1. DSI classes have long been the best gateway to DSI house teams. Count the number of house team members who have not gone through DSI classes. Ha. There's only one.

2. Richard's group can't get started for a couple of weeks and may only meet bi-weekly, which won't leave a lot of time before the June 6 auditions. That's only two months, peoples.

3. Richard's group will likely include a couple of cats who want to be performing shortform for fun, but aren't looking to be cast on DAVE due to other time commitments. (I'm one.) This is seriously a group for rehearsing the finer points of games that they already know and have probably performed a fair amount. But if you need to understand the game's fundamentals and why it works, Corey's going to be teaching that.


That said, Richard... I know you had wanted to restrict it to people who have already completed 3-S. Would you accept folks currently enrolled, and then work on games they have learned in 3-S?

[Richard White]

Would you accept folks currently enrolled, and then work on games they have learned in 3-S?

Abso-fucking-lutely. I encourage anyone who wants to brush up, hone, or otherwise stregthen their short form skills to join up with our little practice group.

Here's why, folks: Short form is just one more tool in your improv shop belt. It's widely considered one of the most accessible forms for general audiences, and it's usually a strong crowd pleaser. Plus, there may be the opportunity for you to use short form to actually make money in DSI at some point in the near future. So there's the dick reason to do it. But most importantly, it can be a lot of fun.

With regards to 303-S, I'll be taking it also, so come have fun with me and Corey and the other fun souls.

[Toddles]

For everyone who wasn't at last night's 3S class, you missed out. Among other things, JEFF SCRONCE LICKED HIS OWN MANTITTIE!!!!!!!!!!!! (Apparently Jeff has mastered being "private in public!") It was incredible - I damn near wet myself. That was the funnest class/practice I've ever been to.

Todd "Chee Chee" Igoe

[CoreyBrown]

That was the funnest class/practice I've ever been to.
Thank you Todd!
Did I call it or what???

BEST

CLASS!!!!

EVER!!!!!!!!

[jillybee72]

I feel bad for this guy Dave. Why does everyone put his name in all caps and tell the world about how he wasn't cast?

[Richard White]

OK, so the practice group/team that has been discussed; here are some ideas.

The NOTS

1. This group is not intended to create a performing troupe. If people in the group want to perform short form with each other at a point, more power to you.

2. This group will not pay for its coach.

3. This group is not going to teach brand new games or skills.

4. This group is not for anyone who hasn't either taken the 303-S class (or currently enrolled) or had considerable short form experience in another group, such as Comedy Sportz, CHIPS, etc.


The...OPPOSITE OF NOTS

1. This group will meet whenever the most people can, be it once a week, once every two weeks, on whatever day the majority can make it.

2. This group is intended to be a supplement to DSI classes, to work on the skills you already possess to strengthen the games you already know or are learning.

3. This group is intended to give those interested in playing in DAVE the chance to work on short form in preparation for DAVE auditions on June 6th.

4. I will be coaching the group. My credentials: trained with Comedy Sportz Raleigh/Chapel Hill in 1997, started an improv/sketch comedy troupe in Wilmington in 1999 called The Other Side, http://www.othersidecomedy.net, and was improv director and house manager from '99-'01. Also ran three series of workshops with TOS.

So if you want to build on your short form skills and strengthen your games in preparation for DAVE auditions, or just for your own improv benefit, let me know what day(s) of the week and time(s) would be best for you to attend and play along. If you have questions, email me: rewhite@hotmail.com.

[melanie]

Richard,

You are my "improv mom". Of course I want to be part of this! I am mainly interested in having extra practice time outside class, and if I can perform as a result of practice, all the better.

Now...About the coaching. Will you be playing as well as coaching? or just coaching?

If playing...who will coach you?
If not playing...why not be paid for your work? We may have too small a group to cover your regular rates, but we could at least keep you in beer and pretzels.

[Richard White]

You are my "improv mom".
Thanks?

Now...About the coaching. Will you be playing as well as coaching? or just coaching?

If playing...who will coach you?
For part A, I'd like to do more of a player-coach thing in the future, but right now I really want to concentrate on helping everyone else to strengthen and become better prepared for DAVE. I'm also hoping to talk some of the most advanced short-formers in DSI to drop in when available for "Guest Appearances."

For part B, I could give the obvious dickhead answer, but I won't.

If not playing...why not be paid for your work? We may have too small a group to cover your regular rates, but we could at least keep you in beer and pretzels.
I don't want this to be an extra time or financial burden for anyone who is interested in learning. I've never gotten "paid" for teaching improv, and I don't have a pressing need to begin now. Your knowledge is my currency; your success my reward. That being said, I'll never turn down a Guinness or a shot of Jack, especially if someone else is buying. (Let me qualify that phrase by saying I have turned down a shot of Jack once, but it was an extreme situation where I wasn't wearing pants.)

[Ross White]

I didn't think the situation was that extreme.

I'd be very interested in dropping in one night.

[Richard White]

I'd be very interested in dropping in one night.

Good, cos you were at the top of my short list.

[L'il G]

I'd be interested in practicing with the group, depending on the time slot selected for the group to meet.

[Richard White]

I'm thinking Wednesday night may be a good time for the majority of folks to meet that have contacted me. So I'd like to have the first group meeting on Wednesday, April 28, if possible, from, say 7-9:30. If you have good ideas of where to meet, let me know that also, cos I don't want to pay for the Training Center. Maybe in Hamilton Hall. I dunno if there are classes or not that night, so Ross, let me know if you can't make it.

Let me know if this day/time works for you. I guess we could also do Mondays if anyone is so interested. But let's shoot for Wed. right now. If you can't stay the whole time, then stop by whenever you can. This is for your benefit in honing short form games using the skills of improv, mainly in preparation for DAVE auditions, but for whatever.

Again, Wednesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. Check back here on Tuesday for a location.

[melanie]

Hey,

Can we see a show of hands of who is coming to short form practice group this Wednesday? I'll be there, and presumably Richard will too. Who else?

I've been invited to a yoga workshop that runs at the same time. Short form group takes precedence, but only if we have a quorum. A quorum, in my book, is 3 persons, not including Richard.

So, who's coming? Thanks!

Melanie

[CohenFridge]

Me.

[Richard White]

The folks who told me they were coming:

-Melanie
-Bryan
-Jeff
-Todd ( a little late)
-Nate (not this week, but next)

I need to contact Kit and Ross to find out if they are coming as well. Anyone else who is interested, email me (rewhite@hotmail.com) or call: 389-0455.

Wednesday night, 7:00 p.m., Hamilton Hall!

[Ross White]

I'm out this week.

[Kit's Alter Ego]

Night Attack! is meeting Wednesdays right now, so I'm out for a few weeks as well. Summer will be kinder to my schedule than the insanity of pushed-forward exams I'm looking at now.

--Kit

[CoreyBrown]

I actually thought about this, and I think I told myself I really want to do it but I play softball on Wed.....so Im def not in for a few months, but if this stays alive maybe someday.

[Richard White]

Well, Wednesday seemed to work for people for this week, but next week, or in 2 weeks, whenever we do it again, we can certainly change the time and day to accommodate schedules. Cos that's what I'm about. Accommodation.

Also, Eric Drowatsky will attend this week. Rock!

[L'il G]

I can't attend this week, because of a group project, but I will def. try to make it in the future.

[CoreyBrown]

The only day I could possibly do it is Tuesdays, so don't change nothing on account of me. Mon & Wed Softball. Thursdays teach lvl3s for 4 more weeks.

[melanie]

OK, well, I guess between me, Bryan, J. Sizzle, and possibly Todd, we've got a quorum. Let's see if we can get a confirmation from Jeff.

Location please?

[Richard White]

Eric will be there as well, Melanie. And possibly one other, whom I'm working on now.

Location will be show up in Hamilton lobby. We'll find a room.

[melanie]

Awesome. I'm there.

M.

[Richard White]

For those who couldn't make it last night and are interested in joining our merry band, we decided to meet this coming Tuesday, 7pm, Hamilton. Let me know if you wanna play with us.

I think fun was had by all, but don't take my word for it. I wouldn't.

[Toddles]

I think fun was had by all, but don't take my word for it. I wouldn't.

I'm in - and take Richard's word for it - it was fun!

Todd

[Kit's Alter Ego]

Ah, Tuesday. I should be able to be there then. Rock!

--Kit

[Richard White]

Tuesday.

7pm.

Hamilton Hall.

Call if you'll be late, and I'll give you the room number: 919-389-0455.

[Kit's Alter Ego]

Ah. Tuesday. A day that Night Attack will be practicing. I will, in fact, not be at shortform practice. Again. Damn.

[L'il G]

Grrr. I can't do Tuesday. Grrr.

[Richard White]

This is mainly for those in the short form practice group, but it can help anyone. Here's a very short list of art/entertainment styles that I have received as suggestions during my years of short form, while playing Styles Replay, Changing Styles, etc.

I recommend trying to watch, listen to, read at least 2 examples of each style to get a general idea of what you're dealing with. If you don't want to read two Faulkner novels, (and really, who does?), there are internet sources and library reference books that can give you quick synopses of style and usual content for most authors and types of literature. If you need a suggestion or two of examples for any of the styles, let me know.

If anyone has additional styles, feel free to post.

FILM
- Noir
- Western
- Action/ Adventure
- Romantic Comedy
- Teen Comedy
- Horror/ Thriller
- Sci-Fi
- Fantasy
- Mystery
- Erotic Thriller
- Instructional/ Training Video
- Disaster
- Porn/ Soft Porn (there is a difference)

MUSIC
- Rap
- Rock
- Goth
- Country/Western/Bluegrass
- Pop
- Disco/Dance
- Polka
- Jam Band (Phish, Dead)
- Alternative/ Indie
- Punk
- Big Band/ Crooner/ Swing
- Heavy Metal
- Classic Rock

THEATRE
- Kabuki/ Noh
- Shakespeare
- David Mamet
- Opera/ Rock Opera
- Ballet/ Dance
- Neil Simon
- French Comedy (Moliere)
- Musical Comedy
- Tennessee Williams

LITERATURE
- Twain
- Faulkner
- Bible
- Romance Novel
- Spy Thriller/ Tom Clancy
- Courtroom Drama/ John Grisham
- Harry Potter
- Coming of Age
- Fantasy
- Teen Detective
- Hemingway
- Steinbeck

[ilaughatme]

If you don't want to read two Faulkner novels, (and really, who does?)

I love Faulkner.

[Richard White]

Well, then, I guess we found who, indeed, does.

And you know, it figures!

[Ross White]

I love Faulkner.

[DROWATZKY]

Well, then, I guess we found who, indeed, does.

And you know, it figures!

"INDEED"

[Richard White]

I'm out of town on Tuesday the 12th, but I think we can meet on Wednesday if enough people are interested. Please post here or email me (rewhite@hotmail.com) if you are going to come. We need at least 4 people besides myself to have a good group. We'll be doing some guessing games, i.e. Interrogation, Mystery Expert, Debate/Sermon, and possibly working on mime and environments.

[L'il G]

I'd be interested in Wednesday evening.

[Toddles]

I can an hour on wed (or 2, if anyone can stay to 11), since I can't get there til 9 unfortunately.
Todd

[melanie]

Sorry, I can't make it tomorrow. Yoga class!

[Richard White]

NO Short Form group tonight!!

[Richard White]

Now that 303S is over, if anyone is interested in a couple of weeks of short form practice, let me know. We can meet Tuesday-Thursday night from 7-9:30 or whenever. Post which is the best night and let's rock some games.

[melanie]

I am interested. This week is going to be a little bit funny for me, my mom flies in from France on Wednesday and I defend my dissertation on Thursday (followed by taking my long-suffering mom, advisor and Peter out for dinner).

I could do short form practice on Tuesday this week. The following week, any day is fine.

Looking forward to it!