Quotes

Talent Cannot Be Denied

by Ben Whitehouse.

Talent cannot be denied… forever. But at the end of the day, it’s still about who you know.

Rob Riggle (during a Del Close Marathon Workshop)

This is something I’ve been focusing on for the last year. Although there is sometimes a feeling of competition in improv between groups and performers, it eventually comes down to the connections you make in the community. Life is all about who you know and improv is no different. Being a person that people respect and want to work with, will help you in your success as an improviser. Being too competitive, backstabbing, scene stealing, selfish, or unsupportive will only push people away.

Improv, for myself, is a lot about comfort. It takes me about 3 classes to really begin to trust my teammates in my classes. This is greatly expedited by occasional drinks after class, or even a social group event like karaoke or game night. All of this allows you to socialize in the community to build strong connections to other performers and groups. The more people you know, the more doors will be available to you to walk through.

Of course being insanely talented will also bring you success, but will happen a lot faster if people want to work with you.

Actors First

by Ben Whitehouse.

As improvisers, you are actors first and then improvisers.
–Dave Razowsky

If there is no risk

by Ben Whitehouse.

If there is no risk, why bother doing it?
–Keith Johnstone

Bring a Brick

by Ben Whitehouse.

When you start a scene, bring a brick not a cathedral.
Possibly Del Close?

This quote has followed me around thought my improv career. I read somewhere and now can’t find the attribution to it. I always ascribe it to Del Close, but as I can’t find it’s source, I’m really not sure any more. There is a very similar quote in the Second City Almanac of Improvisation on page 103. If anyone knows where this quote comes from, please let me know.

Intuition is the key to everything

by Ben Whitehouse.

Intuition is the key to everything, in painting, filmmaking, business” everything. I think you could have an intellectual ability, but if you can sharpen your intuition, which they say is emotion and intellect joining together, then a knowingness occurs. Feeling correct is a feeling I think everyone knows.
–David Lynch (AV Club)