The Documentary, Mondays May 5th and 12th, 8pm, UCBT
- Thread starter PorterMason
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FAQ: The Documentary
What is the Documentary?
It's a longform structure created by Billy Merritt and the students in his three UCB Level 4 classes. The structure is based generally on the structure of documentary films, and specifically on the structure of Chris Guest's "mockumentaries" (BEST IN SHOW, WAITING FOR GUFFMAN). It combines scenework with sharply focused character interviews, conducted by an "offscreen" documentarian, in which characters discuss their secrets, motivations, and fears.
What makes the Documentary different from other improv shows?
Well, I think the format really encourages bold character choices. In recent shows, Doc audiences have met merpeople, pirates, ancient Incans, stoned ex-hippie rock stars, and the Three Little Pigs.
I also think it is really fun watching performers find new ways to explore the "documentary" format -- whether through MTV-style "Cribs" tours, re-enactments, voice-overs, testimonials, "Cops"-style chase scenes, subtitles, or stock footage.
What makes the Documentary so damn funny?
Well, the format is really funny in and of itself, and lends itself to funny scenes, characters, and locations. But mostly what makes it funny is the crack cast of Documentarians, rotating every Tuesday, including Zohar Adner, Alison Becker, Eric Bergemann, Eric Bernat, Liz Black, Jane Borden, Sarah Burns, Chris Butler, Joe Catanzariti, Millie Cho, Brett Christensen, Helaine Cira, Sara Cohen, Mark DeLaBarre, Matt Demblowski, BJ Gallagher, Federico Garduno, Amey Goerlich, Alex Goldberg, Benj Hewitt, Ben Jones, Maggie Kemper, Dan Kois, Violet Krumbein, Margot Leitman, David Martin, Gabe McKinley, Brendan McLoughlin, Jessica Myles, Heather Peroni, Andy Rocco, Sarah Saltzberg, Risa Sang-urai, Jeff Scherer, John Snyder, and Kate Spencer.
Wow, I'm sold. When and where is the Documentary again?
It's at the new UCBT at 26th and 8th, May 5 and 12, 8:00 pm.
What are the names of the various Doc crews?
Not all of them have names yet, but they include Best Looking, the Demblowski Syndrome, and Gay Paree.
Actually, I think that's Gay Paris.
Oops, sorry.
xoxo
Dan
What is the Documentary?
It's a longform structure created by Billy Merritt and the students in his three UCB Level 4 classes. The structure is based generally on the structure of documentary films, and specifically on the structure of Chris Guest's "mockumentaries" (BEST IN SHOW, WAITING FOR GUFFMAN). It combines scenework with sharply focused character interviews, conducted by an "offscreen" documentarian, in which characters discuss their secrets, motivations, and fears.
What makes the Documentary different from other improv shows?
Well, I think the format really encourages bold character choices. In recent shows, Doc audiences have met merpeople, pirates, ancient Incans, stoned ex-hippie rock stars, and the Three Little Pigs.
I also think it is really fun watching performers find new ways to explore the "documentary" format -- whether through MTV-style "Cribs" tours, re-enactments, voice-overs, testimonials, "Cops"-style chase scenes, subtitles, or stock footage.
What makes the Documentary so damn funny?
Well, the format is really funny in and of itself, and lends itself to funny scenes, characters, and locations. But mostly what makes it funny is the crack cast of Documentarians, rotating every Tuesday, including Zohar Adner, Alison Becker, Eric Bergemann, Eric Bernat, Liz Black, Jane Borden, Sarah Burns, Chris Butler, Joe Catanzariti, Millie Cho, Brett Christensen, Helaine Cira, Sara Cohen, Mark DeLaBarre, Matt Demblowski, BJ Gallagher, Federico Garduno, Amey Goerlich, Alex Goldberg, Benj Hewitt, Ben Jones, Maggie Kemper, Dan Kois, Violet Krumbein, Margot Leitman, David Martin, Gabe McKinley, Brendan McLoughlin, Jessica Myles, Heather Peroni, Andy Rocco, Sarah Saltzberg, Risa Sang-urai, Jeff Scherer, John Snyder, and Kate Spencer.
Wow, I'm sold. When and where is the Documentary again?
It's at the new UCBT at 26th and 8th, May 5 and 12, 8:00 pm.
What are the names of the various Doc crews?
Not all of them have names yet, but they include Best Looking, the Demblowski Syndrome, and Gay Paree.
Actually, I think that's Gay Paris.
Oops, sorry.
xoxo
Dan
Yes - The torrid and heart-renching life of a couple of NYPD Bicycle cops (who kept changing their names back and forth - no doubt, to confuse the criminals...) - The brutal lessons learned by the Internal Affairs Officers as they go undercover in the seedy underbelly of Gypsy Musical Theatre gangs - One gang member's search for his new life outside the gang and oh, yeah - he's got cancer.
Join us next week - where we will no doubt learn more about the fascinating and complex world that is the Human Condition...
Join us next week - where we will no doubt learn more about the fascinating and complex world that is the Human Condition...
