Comments on: 2 Years at UCB

By: Ben Whitehouse

Ben Whitehouse — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:23:41 +0000

I always think that having fun in improv is goal 1. Why else do this stuff? the fame (none), the fortune (none), or because we love it (fun). In my mind a lot of improvisers putt a lot of pressure on themselves to GET BETTER NOW and loose sight that they started doing improv as an outlet for creativity. One of my favorite quotes that I will paraphrase here was from Chris Gethard after a particularly intense class said, Don’t worry about this stuff, it’s only improv.

While I think it’s always a good idea to focus on the characters in a scene, I think a lesson that resonates more with me is have fun, because there is no reason not to — it’s only improv.

By: Drew Tarvin

Drew Tarvin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:40:09 +0000

Ben–great post and great notes. I’m coming up on my one year anniversary and I’m happy to hear that I’ll still be learning at a great pace through the schools.

Similar to the “Perform each scene like it will be your last” note, one of the best notes I’ve heard recently was to have fun in your scenes because that’s the last time those 2 characters are ever going to be together in that circumstance.

By: Ben Whitehouse

Ben Whitehouse — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:47:41 +0000

Thank you Gethard. As one of my main influences in my improvisation, it means a lot.

Diana — Wonderful to hear you have been continuing on. I’ve heard back from a lot of people from that 101 class recently. Nice to hear a few are still pursuing their craft. See you at the DCM.

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:33:27 +0000

Hey Ben,

I was in your first 101 class 2 years ago. Since then I have been studying at UCB LA and am doing a show at DCM. Hope to see you there.

Diana

By: Gethard

Gethard — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:15:36 +0000

Congrats on the two years, Ben! Great post. I feel lucky to have been along for the ride as you have made many leaps and bounds forward.

By: Sharilyn

Sharilyn — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:15:34 +0000

This is fantastic — next week is my 1-year anniversary of taking improv classes (started at UCB), and this makes me look forward to my second year.

By: Ben Whitehouse

Ben Whitehouse — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:55:25 +0000

Thanks for all the comments yall. Nice to hear that this writing stuff is useful.

Hey Johan, I talk a lot about UCB, because it’s the community I spend most of my time in. There are lots of amazing schools and teachers out there. I don’t want to give the impression that UCB is advertising with me or they are the only improv school in NYC. I am totally not affiliated with UCB in any way. I’ve never received any compensation from them ever — just want to make that clear.

As a final note, I’m starting my level 2 with Armando Diaz next week at Magnet. I will be sure to tell you about that experience as it happens. :)

By: Johan Johan

Johan Johan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:46:21 +0000

I know you probably don’t mean to be the best advertising UCB could ever get but all your blog posts are about UCB! You should remind your readers that there are other schools in NYC. The PIT and Magnet are pretty awesome too!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:16:42 +0000

Great post, great notes. I plan on starting classes at UCB after getting my degree, next summer — can’t wait!

By: brain exercises

brain exercises — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:27:35 +0000

Hey, Ben.

This is good stuff. It would never have occurred to me that brain workouts would be part of an improve prep routine, but it makes sense.

I wonder whether regular brain exercises would be a bonus, too, just as the actor knows that physical exercise is beneficial. I’ve seen that they work well for playing a musical instrument.

martin
“brain exercises for mental agility”

By: keith h.

keith h. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:23:20 +0000

nice post, ben. congrats & keep up the great work

By: karyrogers

karyrogers — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:15:59 +0000

Really nice post. I’m hoping to move to NY by the end of the year and taking classes at UCB is a top priority. Reading this makes me excited, nervous, and hopeful all at the same time.

By: vinnyfrancois

vinnyfrancois — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:44:01 +0000

“never go for the joke“
There is only one time to go for the joke and that’s when the scene ends. It is the big, red button of improv. You are blowing it all up. Sometimes a scene needs to end in flames and sometimes a scene needs an exclamation point. Never say never. Learn the rules and then learn when to break them.

“Always make your partner look better.“
Yes! But Napier has a point in that people can take it too far. Don’t be subservient to your partner. Aikido teaches you to use your enemies energy against them. Improv teaches you to use your partners’ energy with them.

“Tell your scene partner what you are feeling, don’t assume they are on the same page.“
This can also be extended to what you are doing, especially up front.

Great, great post. I hope a lot of people starting out find this.

By: elizaskinner.net - Saturday Night is alright for Pandas

elizaskinner.net - Saturday Night is alright for Pandas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:23:52 +0000

“Eliza Skinner elevates the craft to an artform.”-Improvoker.com

By: C.Scott

C.Scott — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:03:53 +0000

Those are some mighty fine words.