Ask Josh!
Hi, it's me Joshua from S.C. Scriptless.
Ok, so I was talking to some peoples after the S.E.T. last week, and the subject of 'Sincityimprov.com' came up. I think this is a great thing that Mike put up, but it needs to be supported. So I'm offering something that I hope will be fun.
I thought I'd start a thread called "ASK JOSH". So go ahead. Ask me something. Hopefully Improv related, but it doesn't matter. I'm trying to do my part to help support this site. So go ahead... ASK JOSH.
IllNeverTell
Unregistered User
(10/13/05 1:49 am) Reply
Hi Josh, I want to know....
I want to know how you feel about all the improv groups that have started recently? I know politically you'll want to say it's great for the city... But really I think if you can take maybe two or three stand out players in each group and make a separate team... Then you'd have something to watch. It really feels like the chemistry is forced. Do they bond, rehearse, hang out together or just go and do a show? There's no direction to any of the groups it just seems like you are watching a rehearsal.
That's all for now...
PS. I miss your paper boy (Newsies)
And yes, that Mike guy should be recognized for this site, it is a great idea. It should be mentioned at all the local shows, so more people log on. Speak your mind, make an opinion that is what this site is all about.
Re: Hi Josh, I want to know....
I guess it would depend on the ultimate goal of any particular group. Are they there to have fun, or develop a broader skill set in Improvisation? I've performed with three different troupes here in town, and each had a coach. Specifically, to help us develop "group mind" and become better players. (Comedy off the Cuff-Josh, Mandatory Friends-Michael Hartnett/Homer Marrs, and currently The Sandbox Association-Bridget Kloss.)
Sometimes the performances do have the feel of a rehersal, but let's be honest, sometimes what the troupe is trying to accomplish can only be tested in a performance environment.
As for rehersals? Yep! Once a week for 2 hrs. As for hanging out? Yep! All the time. though it varries on the individuals and the opportunities to bond.
The idea of a "Super-troupe" is interesting, but completely subjective. Regardless of the players, there would still be some amount of growing pain. The players would still need to feel eachother out and learn eachother's strengths and weaknesses. Maybe the process would be shorter with more seasoned players, but in my experiences every troupe must go through the same trial and error to get to some level of success.
All that having been said, there is an upside to a bad improvised performance......you'll never have to see it again.
"Life is too important to be taken seriously"--Oscar Wilde
www.wncc.edu/~heath/
improvfan
Unregistered User
(10/13/05 3:00 pm) Reply
troupes
I was wondering what improv troupes have you seen ?
I personally have to give cudos to all the players in every troupe because they are out there getting stage time and learning by experience.Sure, there are those stand out players but at least those players that don't stand out are getting there feet wet and applying what they have learned on and off the stage.Nobody gose out and kills unless they have died a few times.Josh however I have yet to see you die you seem to always kill....and I have a great time when ever I get out to see you perform.But I 'm sure there have been those times in the early stages of your career that you might not have been so funny.Can you share with us one of those experiences if you have one.Or maybe share some insight ?
improvfan
Unregistered User
(10/13/05 4:26 pm) Reply
Reply to Discoman
Discoman Your outlook and insight in your behind the scenes of an improv player analysis is very interesting.I myself have never performed improv but I am a huge fan of your craft.I have done alot of acting in community theatre as well as various workshops in L.A so I can appreciate your in depth and artistic point of view.I have seen Mandatory friends and the Sandbox.I have to say that The Sandbox show is Hillarious you guys are very talented and It looks like you guys are having fun which makes it fun to watch and if I might add that the projection of enjoyment that you guys deliver is the energy that the audience picks up on, and you guys do it very well.The stage presence and character depth in your cast makes for some of the best improv I have seen since Scriptless or the Mutiny.
whoswho
Unregistered User
(10/13/05 4:56 pm) Reply
Ask Josh
Hey Josh how long have you been an improviser?
I recenly saw the set and the scriptless show and enjoyed them both.I am a somewhat experienced actor but would like to try inprov it looks like alot of fun.How long dose it take to get to the level of the people in your show? one guy in particular really stood out in scriptess I think his name was Michael Harnett he should be on SNL or Mad TV, anyway he just seemed to have a witty answer for everything and I was in tears I laughed so hard... .I hope to maybe get to that level someday how do I do it?
As much as I would love to see a "super group" perform, I would be saddened by the fact I would most certainly be watching the supergroup and not performing in the supergroup.
However, the group I'm in now seems to have a lot of fun together and regularly practices. Good Times.
And I have a question for Josh!
What challenges you in Improv? Where are your biggest problems when it comes to performing?
Thanks for starting this thread! Seems to have sparked the boards up!
Mike Howland
mike@sincityimprov.com
www.sincityimprov.com
702-806-6804
IllNeverTell
Unregistered User
(10/14/05 12:45 am) Reply
OK everyone is being so nice.... I guess I can try.
Look I think the fact that troupes are being formed is great. I also think it is very cool that the SET and other places like the ART bar and Rock N Java are giving up some time and space to these groups. But if everyone hands out kudos to all the teams at the end of the show, know one will feel they need to step it up. So stop being so PC and put something out there. Change your name if you don't want any one to know who you are... I'llNeverTell, will be back with more drama for your mama soon...
Hey "That Mike Guy" I think you played roulette before, I've seen you in action somewhere. You have good charecter work, Commit harder to it. Sell IT..
PS by the way the spell check never seems to work?
Un-PC
So what in your opinion needs to be stepped up? Every player appreciates constructive criticism in the right context.
Take into account the limitations that may present themselves: At the Rock n' Java we have to play to the Christian ownership and heavy religious feel of the performance space. Though we have lately been toeing the line with language and subject content we still nonetheless try to push the limits of show. It's much harder to not be blue, as was tested last Wed with our long form set.
Love the feedback-
glenn
Rouge2
Unregistered User
(10/14/05 11:31 am) Reply
Negativity
Hey illnevertell dude,I just want to say that if you are an improviser give all the criticism you want but make it constructive.But if you are not I suggest you pick out a chat room online somewhere else or just stop being so negative.Maybe you can try to enjoy improv for all its good and bad moments,and if you are as flambouyant as your mouth why don't you audition for one of these troupes or start your own and give it a try!! maybe then you will find that it is not as easy as some people make it look. I am probably one of those not so good players that you might have seen in a local troupe and sure I probably suck but I am learning every time I fall on my face.There is a growth process involved in this art form and the faster you realize that the faster you will appreciate shitty impov players like myself.How is that for keeping it real!! by the way Mike I saw you at the set the other night you were great!! Keep up the good work, you sold me.
Rouge2
Unregistered User
(10/14/05 11:40 am) Reply
I almost forgot
illnevertell, if your gonna critic Mike's character work maybe you should learn how to spell it first!
Rouge2
Unregistered User
(10/14/05 11:49 am) Reply
If only I could spell
And another thing, if only I could spell improv maybe I could be a better improvisor Maybe I was a little harsh on you illnevertell dude, but it can be frustrating when you go out and try to improve yourself and people tear you down |
Re: Hi Josh, I want to know....
Ill never tell wrote:
>>But really I think if you can take maybe two or three stand out players in each group and make a separate team... Then you'd have something to watch.
I'm curious as to who you would pick if you were making your own local superteam. Care to share?
superteam
Hmm... that's a tough one,who will break the ice and pick a super troupe? I would go first but I don't know half there names.Maybe someone who knows all the names and troupes would dare to select this allstar brigade?
Re: superteam
Oooooo! Better then nominating people to a supergroup, let's rate all the people we know in the local improv scene on a scale of 0 - 10! I'll go first!!
Glenn Heath - 0.02
At this time, I would also like to congratulate Glenn. Right now, he is, according to this informal rating system, the GREATEST IMPROVER IN LAS VEGAS. Way to go, Buddy!
Mike Howland
mike@sincityimprov.com
www.sincityimprov.com
702-806-6804
I think rating would be a bit subjective, but if someone wants to build a database with all the associated male and female names we know, then have a form where everyone picks their top five in each category, then the database could tally, in real time, whose ego is being stroked the most.
I rate someone a 5. Not sure who yet. But someone around here must be average.
Always look at the brightside of something or another
Nope, sorry. 10 is the highest. You know, cause it's the highest. But after 1 day of rankings, you're still in first place! Think of all the records you're breaking right now!
First person to acheive the ranking of #1.
Largest margin of victory over #2.
Most consecutive days spent at #1.
Fastest ever to acheive #1 ranking.
As far as I'm concerned, the should just rename it to the "Glenn Heath Vegas Improver of the Millenium" award right now!
Glenn Heath is the reason I wake up in the morning.
Mike Howland
mike@sincityimprov.com
www.sincityimprov.com
702-806-6804
IllNeverTell
Unregistered User
(10/16/05 1:51 am) Reply
Time To Answer Some Questions...
Discoman, I like how you are still upbeat. Some people are ready to hang me.
Ok, so the Rock N Java has limitations. That is the best thing that can happen for all players. Going blue is not what improv is about; you are supposed play to the top of your intelligence at all times. Think about this, if the funniest thing out of an your mouth is a curse word. You're not funny. You're just vulgar. The SET is a breeding ground for BLUE. If everyone stopped laughing at the F bomb and players stopped poking fun at homosexuality would there still be comedy... YES AND IT WOULD BE FANTASTIC>>> Explore, Explore, Explore!!!
Now.... time to play with the others...
Ask Josh!
But really I think if you can take maybe two or three stand out players in each group and make a separate team... Then you'd have something to watch. It really feels like the chemistry is forced. Do they bond, rehearse, hang out together or just go and do a show? There's no direction to any of the groups it just seems like you are watching a rehearsal.
.I hope to maybe get to that level someday how do I do it?
OK everyone is being so nice.... I guess I can try.
I'llNeverTell, will be back with more drama for your mama soon...
Maybe I was a little harsh on you illnevertell dude, but it can be frustrating when you go out and try to improve yourself and people tear you down
|
Ouch
Always look at the brightside of something or another
Time To Answer Some Questions...
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