I Need Improv Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[genehong50]

Hi there, guys!

I'm in urgent need of some improv classes.

I'm on the short list for a new improv show on mtv. There are 14 of us left, and they are signing 10! I'm a screenwriter, who wrote some funny characters for the pre-read and producers, but was the LEAST trained at improv aspect of it during the network audition.

Does anyone know of any good classes that I can jump into immediately? Better yet, some kind of improv intensive? I'm pretty experienced as a writer, but would need to be treated like a newbie for improv stuff.

As of now, my friend, Kay, has been helping me out. She is in 2nd city, and performs at the olympic improv on...hollywood blvd (i think?) in a troupe called clark and belmont. She's helped me a lot, but I really think I could use an improv class, or crammin session (something intense that i wouldn't ask a friend). Any help/info you have would be greatly appreciated. I hope to be learning ASAP.

Thanks! Gene.

 

[zerohead]

It sounds to me like you really just want to feel more comfortable about what you're going to ne asked to do. I've seen Clark And Belmont and if you have a friend from that team giving you advice, then you should just do what they're saying...aside from that, I would crash in on some Improv Jams in town if I were you. There's one at Improv Olympic (on hollywood blvd) every Monday night at 10:30 pm it's free. There's another one at second city on saturdays- it costs 4 bucks. Both of the hosts are cool and if you tell them what you're doing and why, they'll make sure that you get a chance to get up on stage.

other than that, I don't think there's anything worth spending money on that is going to help you more than listening to your friend and then going out and actually DOING it in front of people.

 

[proofred]

I'd more look for an individual coach rather than classes.

Ask around at IO West or Comedy Sportz. It depends on the focus of the MTV show (which I wasn't asked to audition for, by the way!).

Todd Rice
ProofRed
---------
Snubbed because I'm on the wrong damn coast!

 

[Gwyn]

I was gonna say, you sound like you made it pretty far for having no Improv experience. Either a. you're better than you think you are, or b. the improv isn't as important as you think.
I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[genehong50]

thanks...

thanks for the feedback guys. zero, you're right for the most part... i want to feel more comfortable. mainly b/c while we did a lot of improv games, everyone else seemed to know the game/rules based on the name of the game alone...while i needed to be explained them. i'm going to take your advice and jump into one or a few of those groups. and hopefully, my friend will have time to work w/ me... proof, in the meantime, i'm also going to look for a coach. any advice on where to start looking? gwyn, i'm definitely not better than i think i am. but you're probably right that it might not be as important as i think it is. there are certain type of improv games that i'm naturally great at, but there are many that i CHOKE at.., i don't know where to start or go in certain games, horrible at impressions, etc... anyway, gwyn, do you know any coaches in the area? i live in your neck of the woods (right by the bev center). thanks for the info feedback guys! any info on coaches (including pricing) is appreciated.
late gene

 

[Hawkins]

Kay Cannon's a great coach from what I've heard, so you're on the right track

I'm sure she could get you in touch with some others, just from Chicago/IO connections

 

[Gwyn]

Shulie,my old teammate.
PM me if you want her info.

thanks for the feedback guys. zero, you're right for the most part... i want to feel more comfortable. mainly b/c while we did a lot of improv games, everyone else seemed to know the game/rules based on the name of the game alone...while i needed to be explained them. i'm going to take your advice and jump into one or a few of those groups. and hopefully, my friend will have time to work w/ me... proof, in the meantime, i'm also going to look for a coach. any advice on where to start looking? gwyn, i'm definitely not better than i think i am. but you're probably right that it might not be as important as i think it is. there are certain type of improv games that i'm naturally great at, but there are many that i CHOKE at.., i don't know where to start or go in certain games, horrible at impressions, etc... anyway, gwyn, do you know any coaches in the area? i live in your neck of the woods (right by the bev center). thanks for the info feedback guys! any info on coaches (including pricing) is appreciated.
late gene