I’m just going to jump right on in:

Remember how I was all, “Oh don’t go telling me to play ditzy, dammit!” in the last post? I voluntarily went there today. Twice, I think. I immediately felt bad because I think this is what my instructor meant by having this character in my toolbox, but then Bill Arnett mentioned something about his side coaching and not wanting it to be confused with choice coaching. And that nailed it on the head. I don’t want to be told to play something a certain way because it’s what someone else wants to see. I want to be shown the choices I have with the characters and encouraged to get at their points-of-view because they’re valid.

I think this makes me sound like a petulant “But I WANT to wait tables forever! What’s wrong with waiting tables??” high school senior who gets told to go to college and then later decides to go only because “it’s my choice!!!” Which, really, may be one in the same and two paths to the same destination. (Sometimes I’m stubborn. That’s right, sometimes.)

A good chunk of the intensive was about playing scenes real. Giving a reasonable representation of real life with real depth. Being okay with having the reactions one would normally have to whatever character is in front of you. And if it’s a fantasy world you’re playing in, make sure to define the rules of the reality of the fantasy.

“The engine of improv is fueled by the logic of morons.” — B. Arnett.

The jury needs evidence. Give more details than you think you should. The audience isn’t going to go, “Oh I already figured she was a dim-witted, small-town guidance counselor. Why did she say AS YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR? Great, that just ruined it for me.” That’s not going to happen. Giving details cleans up the scene. Brings black and white television to hi-def.

And make sure it’s shown/told/expressed more than walking out and saying, “Oh, I’m so messy!” Instead, talk about the pile of dirty laundry on the bed and the week’s worth of take-out boxes reeking in the sink. And the flies. Maybe even the fact that you have five cats and don’t own a vacuum cleaner AT ALL. Show and tell. Show and tell. Show and tell.

Something that really resonated with me: Many problems in a scene can be fixed by your scene partner calling them out.

Not enough info?

Call it out.

Weird/Absurd response?

Call it out.

Character not acting “right” given the situation? (Wait, you’re happy to hear great-grandma died? WHY?)

Call it out.

Brilliant, right? THE MAN IS BRILLIANT. I can’t wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow will be even MORE. And bonus? This workshop has a show.

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Tonight I get to spend time with the crew celebrating Alicia’s birthday. And I’m going to give that wonderful woman a shout-out so she can see this next time she checks out the blog. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAUTIFUL!!