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Chapter 2. Improv and Advertising

I attended the Virginia Commonwealth University: Brandcenter for a Master’s degree in advertising. While I was there, I got an internship at DDB in Chicago. Six of us from class received internships in Chicago and all shared a house out there. One of our housemates was deep into comedy and took writing classes at Second City. Her teacher let a few of us audit the class and on the weekends, we saw improv for free. We all loved the improv and wanted to do it, but we were slammed in our advertising gigs.

After graduating VCU Brandcenter, I freelanced in South Carolina and then landed my first full time job in Madison, WI. Our creative director, Barry, who had taken classes at Second City in Chicago, required that we get to work by 8am every Wednesday morning to start doing improv with the creative team for 1 hour. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd week my boss pulled me aside and told me I was really good at this and should take improv classes. I looked around for places to study and found a Comedy Sportz in the area.

I took Comedy Sportz classes in Madison for around 6 month with Ed Herro. One day (yes, this story will not sound real but it totally is), I got a random call from a copywriter in NY. He said he had seen my portfolio online and wanted to offer me a job at Publicis. I said, “I’ve never been to NY. Can I fly out there to meet you first?” He said, “Sure, but we can’t pay for it.” So I flew out to NY, met the creative team, and took the job.

In my last class with Ed at Comedy Sportz, I told him the story and he ripped out a sheet of paper and listed places for me to live, people to meet, and at the very top, in big letters, he wrote “go to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.”

And so it began…

3 weeks ago

Billy Merritt's Improv Dance Party Pt2: Coach-less Improv Rehearsals....

I totally agree

improvdanceparty:

Or as I like to call them.. Charades!

I have been told by a few of my students that they’ve been doing practice sessions without a coach. They say it’s hard to find a coach, get the coach they want, or can’t afford one.

All well and good, but don’t think for a minute that you are improving…

3 weeks ago 62 notes

Done. Make this happen.

connorratliff:

HOW DO YOU SAVE A TV SHOW?

Ugh. There was a time when TV shows really got a long run to prove themselves before the networks decided whether to yank them off the air. When I was a little kid, I was aware of shows that were deemed complete failures, like the Dukes Of Hazzard spin-off Enos and the Three’s Company spin-off The Ropers. (Yes, I am old. But still well within the coveted 18-49 demographic, so there.) At the time, I remember hearing about those shows being total ratings disasters, and yet they were allowed to make it to 22 episodes and 28 episodes, respectively.

Likewise, the big hits of the 80s and 90s, Cheers and Seinfeld, were both low-rated in their early seasons, but were given time to find an audience.

We live in a different reality now, obviously.

Everybody’s heard the news about Best Friends Forever being yanked from the NBC schedule until perhaps this summer. And It’s easy to assume the worst— anyone who is a fan of quality television shows has had their heart broken more than a few times over the years, and we’ve all seen a lot of “save our show” campaigns end in disappointment.

Petitions and twitter campaigns are one modern tool at our disposal. You can also send “scoops” to NBC, certainly. I’d imagine that fans are developing all sorts of ways of getting NBC’s attention to let them know that there is a passionate audience out there that wants to see more of this show.

I have one suggestion, for anyone who’s interested. First, two examples of shows that met very different fates:

CASE #1: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

I was one of the frantic ones while this show was in peril, and I was practically apoplectic at what I perceived to be FOX’s non-existent efforts to grow the show’s audience. (Before anyone tries the knee-jerk “FOX gave it three seasons” argument, it has been documented by NYTimes TV writer Bill Carter that Rupert Murdoch personally hated the show, and it was therefore not in the best interest of anyone at FOX to help the show do better. It was too critically beloved to cancel it quickly, so they let it die on the vine instead. Case closed.)

One of the specific things that most frustrated me was that Arrested Development was not available to purchase on iTunes. The fans were begging for ways to show their support, and for ways to demonstrate that the Nielsen ratings didn’t tell the full story. Meanwhile, the #1 show on iTunes was…

CASE #2: THE OFFICE (U.S.A. version)

The Office was not a hit at first, not by a long shot. The ratings weren’t that good for the brief first season, and a big part of the reason that they finally got a full order for a second season was that NBC put the show on iTunes, where it did great. It was easily the most popular show, almost instantly, occupying 17 slots of the iTunes Top 100 downloads. Now, years later, it’s one of NBC’s top rated shows.

This is a long rambling way of saying: one thing you can do to help save Best Friends Forever, if you are so inclined, is to buy a season pass on iTunes. It’s like 13 bucks for the whole first season, which is basically the same price as if you were to individually buy the 4 episodes they have for sale individually.

It might sound like a dumb idea— after all, if you like the show, you’ve presumably seen the 4 episodes that are already up, and they’re available for free on the NBC website or hulu. The idea of paying money for TV shows that are available for free already is ridiculous. I feel dumb typing this.

BUT: it is one way of showing support for the show, and it’s basically like paying for a movie ticket (if you live in a big city where movies are crazy expensive) or a pizza or some other thing that costs as much as a pizza. And if the goal is to convince NBC that there is a devoted audience that wants this show on the air, then maybe BFF selling a lot of iTunes downloads is one way to get their attention. It’s like voting with your dollars to say “keep making more of these, please. Here is some of my money!”

I know if FOX had put Arrested Development episodes for sale on iTunes back when it was on the bubble, I would have happily bought them all if I though it had even a small chance of saving the show. It worked for The Office. Maybe it can in some small way contribute to keeping BFF on the air long enough for more people to discover it…

AGAIN: GO HERE IF YOU WANNA BUY A SEASON PASS OF “BEST FRIENDS FOREVER” ON iTUNES!

4 weeks ago 130 notes

Erin Gibson: Pretty Funny (Minus the Funny)

Thank you Erin for writing this article, but I still want to punch those other women in the throat. It surprises me (although, I guess it shouldn’t? ugh) that this still happens.

spolikeluzhate:

juliebrister:

gibblertron:

I don’t understand a lot of things. I don’t understand why my neighbor is pursuing a career as a 1990’s electronic music artist. I don’t understand why the ice cream shop near my house considers two scoops of ice cream one scoop. And I don’t understand how women, educated journalists, can be so…

This is well-put, well-written and well copy-edited (hi Katai!) Let’s all titty-bump gibblertron next time we see her.

I want to meet Erin Gibson and high-five her.

1 month ago 336 notes

Ashley Judd Slaps Media in the Face for Speculation Over Her ‘Puffy’ Appearance - The Daily Beast

spolikeluzhate:

This is a very important read, and I am surprised I haven’t seen it re-blogged even more on my dashboard.

Reading this made me cry, and then cry in my husbands arms. It really opened up a flood gate of emotions. We are too hard on ourselves because we try to look good for others because the media fucking sucks a dick, and then that makes us all suck a dick.

I don’t wear make up very often, and one of the main reasons is because when I do, I hear “oh you put on make-up, you look so pretty.” And I HEAR THIS FROM WOMEN. Guess what, I look pretty with out make-up, and guess what, so do you. I’m not saying I am anti-make-up. I think there is something fun about putting on a bold colored lipstick or a dramatic eye shadow. I just don’t like it when people use it to cover up and hide their natural true beauty.

We all need to embrace ourselves for who we are, stop changing ourselves to please others. Stop feeling shame for something that you can’t help and that again, is normal and natural. Zits happen to all of us, don’t feel shame. Stretch marks are a natural thing, don’t feel shame. We are all different shapes and sizes, don’t feel shame. Be proud of who you are and be good to yourself because you want to be good to yourself, not so that someone else will be more comfortable looking at you. Fuck those people.

I could write a 50 million page essay on my thoughts, but I just want you to read Ashley Judd’s for now, because her words are very powerful and important. Share this with your sisters, daughters, mothers, fathers, sons, brothers and friends.

Be yourself.

Forever yours in jeans, t-shirts, sneakers & messy hair,

Shannon O’Neill

1 month ago 132 notes

Indie Improv Shows

When I started doing improv in NY, indie shows were pretty rare. It was around 2007 that indie shows started popping up for teams to play. Which is great because there weren’t many opportunities at the time. Rogue Elephant was the first indie team that I knew of that had a name. I believe that’s where Reuben Starship (formerly known as Reuben Williams) started out.

Indie improv shows are a great way to start learning about the improv community. Folks that put these shows together really do have the heart of improv in mind. It takes a lot of time and effort to rent the space, book the teams, book the night, get all the drinks together, get your own team together, see who’s hosting, run the lights and music, put out and remind folks of the donation bucket, and manage everything.

Here in LA, I really have a love for these indie improv shows. The energy is always great, people are super supportive, and it’s a ton of fun. Most of these shows have a jam at the end which is another great way to work on your improv craft and get to know and play with other folks.

Here’s a list of indie improv shows in Los Angeles. New Yorkers or other statespals, please feel free to comment below and I’ll add you to the list.

Go see them, donate, and say “Thank you!”

Various nights
Dark and Stormy Improv
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DARK-Stormy-Improv/347877588580335
DARKandSTORMYimprov@gmail.com

Neon Venus
Various improv teams are slotted and host Fri/Sat nights

Lost and Found Improv
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lost-and-Found-Improv-Show/262329777190713
lostandfoundimprov@gmail.com

Monday
?

Tuesday
Tuesday Night Thunder
http://tntimprov.com/
tuesdaynightthunder@gmail.com

Wednesday
Room 101
http://www.room101comedy.com
room101sketch@gmail.com

Thursday
PrismBox Improv
https://www.facebook.com/pages/PrismBox-Improv/156738254356097
prismboximprov@gmail.com

The 11th Hour Show
http://the11thhourshow.tumblr.com/
the11thhourshow@gmail.com

Friday
?

Saturday
Saturday! Saturday! Show
http://www.saturdaysaturdayshow.com
rdjrjr@gmail.com

Sunday
Crashbar Improv
www.crashbarimprov.com
crashbarimprov@gmail.com

***If you have a show and I missed it, please comment below with the info and I’ll update the list. Thanks!!***

1 month ago

Indie teams n’ Practice groups

Practice group: a group of 6-16 people who come together once a week with a coach to practice improv
- these groups are good for improvisors starting out in their first year
- these groups can be formed after level 1 or 2
- it’s advised that most improvisors be a part of at least 1 practice group or indie team to get more practice
- get more “improv reps” in; also know as scenes
- play with more people
- it’s a good way to work on your individual strengths/weaknesses
- the opportunity to possibly to learn different/more improv tools from your coach verses your current teacher
- this may turn into an indie team with the possibility of performing-
have fun, you’re paying money to do this in your free time

Please don’t (you can, but please don’t):
- stay in a group you don’t like to play with
- give each other notes
- get in your head

PLEASE:
- HAVE FUN!!! :) (seriously)

Indie team: a group of 1-8 people who perform independently of a theater
- depending on the experience level of the team, the team may come together 0-4 times a month to practice with or without a coach
- the team performs at various improv venues
- these groups are good for improvisors starting out in their first year
- these groups can be formed after level 1 or 2, but usually solidify after level 3 or 4
- get more “improv reps” in; also know as scenes
- play with a core group of people

**It’s advised to play with people you LIKE!!! I know this sounds stupid, but I’ve seen a lot of groups that have formed that don’t play together that don’t really like how each other improvises. Do what you sense is good for you. If you’re miserable in a team, leave it. Yes, easier said than done, but your body and mind will thank you for taking out of a spot you didn’t like. Also, it’s a lot of fun to eff around on stage with your friends. Form a group with people that you like to hang out with. A huge reason is that if you’re having fun, the audience is having fun.

- you’ll get a better understanding of Group Mind (especially if you’re playing with friends)
- it’s a good way to work on your individual strengths/weaknesses
- the opportunity to possibly to learn different/more improv tools from your coach verses your current teacher
- this is a great way to get better and to prep yourself for being on a house team at a theater…sometimes these indie teams become house/harold teams at a theater
- have fun, you’re performing for free and in your free time

Please don’t (you can, but please don’t):
- stay in a group you don’t like to play with
- compare how good your team was verses other performance teams
- give each other notes
- rank how your show went if you didn’t have a coach to come and give you notes
- beat yourself up if you had a “bad” show
- get in your head

PLEASE:
- HAVE FUN!!! :) (I’m not kidding)

Coaches:
- Pay them. Wherever you live.
- Highly advised for practice groups.
- Advised for indie teams that are new (or with players who’ve been doing improv under 3.5 years).
- Advised for indie teams who have been learning improv from a book or from individual members going to workshops/classes then coming to the team to “teach” improv to the group.

2 months ago

You did not get on a UCB Harold team

Grats to all who got on a UCB-NY Harold / Lloyd team! Good on ya!

For the rest who didn’t get on a team, how was your audition?
Awesome! WTF?
Terrible. I expected not to get a callback.
Terrible. At least I got a callback.
Awesome! But my callback was awful.
So so.
What just happened?

Don’t beat yourself up
It’s really not worth it. Ok. Beat yourself a little bit, then snap back and realize that you live in NY and you have time to do one of the coolest hobbies ever. Improv. Or, if this is your career choice (improv performer, teacher, coach, actor), this is just one more step toward your awesome journey.

If you’ve been doing this a long time (like me) please don’t take it personally.

My last UCB Harold audition was here in L.A. I thought I had it in the bag. I didn’t even get a callback. I cried my damn face off, curled in a fetal position, eating chocolate, which smeared all over my face and frizzy hair till I was blue. Then I chilled the eff out and realized, “I’ve been having an awesome year. Why do I care about this?” I care because it’s not just about being an actor, I care because it’s hanging out with people I know and like and to have a blast being funny. I didn’t get on a team or a callback because I was not what they were looking for, or my timing was just not on at the audition, or because the some of the judges have no idea who I am, or something. Who the hell knows. And that’s just it. Like ANY audition, you will never know. EXCEPT know that they ARE rooting for you. They ARE your fans.

Let’s be real. I was upset. I wanted to know why, especially since I had really good friends on the judges side rooting for me. So I asked why?

Because they’re looking at 100’s of people and you have to shine to get noticed.

You don’t have to make uber magic, but you do have to stand out. Think about it. There’s 5-20 judges watching maybe 10-20+ hours of improv of 300-500+ people. In a row. Barely any breaks. You know who they’re going to remember? Those people who stuck out. They might get bummed if a friend or intern or someone they really like didn’t shine. I have no idea if they give second chances to those folks. If it’s anything like casting a commercial (I worked in advertising), then no or rarely. That person better have a really good name and track record to be called back from a bombed or so-so audition.

On a scale from 1-10, I thought my last audition was about a 6.5. I think you’d need a 8+ to get called back. But this was my best audition. My first scene killed (and my scene partner got on a harold team. Yay!). My second scene, bleh. I should’ve been able to save that bleh and turn it into a Woot! But whatever. I can’t get stuck in the past and neither should you!!! It’s done.

Now ask “Why do I do this?”
I really really really love making people laugh. It’s my favorite thing ever. I love that I’m always discovering something new in my classes, teams, and shows. I love that it makes me a better actor. I love that improv introduced me to acting. I love that my best friends are improvisors (and some former improvisors). I love that I get to play on stage and it’s seen as something awesome and brave. I love that I get to be creative all of the time. I love watching my friends succeed on stage, TV, and film. I love that this is so much damn fun and this is my job. How does it get any better than this?

Just like a weird or mundane character in an improv scene that we feel stuck in, ask why. And then ask, “What’s right about this I’m not getting?” It’s not good or bad that you’re not on a Harold team, it’s just something that’s happened. You’re not a good or bad person for not getting on a Harold team, it’s an experience you had that you get to chalk up to another moment in life.

Stay in the now. Keep hanging out with your pals. Without hurting yourself or others, have a drink or eat a bunch for one night. Then puke it up and live on. You never know what else is possible.

2 months ago

anthonyking:

YAY!

Wahoo!!! So excited!!

(Source: purns)

2 months ago 90 notes View high resolution

Harold Auditions

First. Please read this by Anthony King:
http://theanthonyking.com/post/18958200344/harold-auditions

What is a Harold audition:
It’s an audition to be on an improv team that performs the form the “Harold”

Who has Harold auditions:
UCB (NY/LA)
iO West
Second City
Magnet Theater
The PIT

Why do you want to be on a Harold team:
***This might be the best question of all***
Make sure you ask yourself this question. Jot down some thoughts.

Here are examples of reasons WHY you want to be on a Harold team:
Status in the improv community (let’s be real. this is usually a big reason for most)
Proof that you are funny
Proof that you are a great (not just good) improvisor
To be seen by agents, casting directors, writers, the industry
The opportunity to play with other kick-ass (or “approved” kick-ass) players
The opportunity to perform a lot
The opportunity to perform on the main stage of a respected theater
Networking opportunities

Think about why you’re auditioning.
Try not to take things (like, ah, not getting on a team) personally.

I am going to speak more about not getting on a UCB Harold team because it is the most competitive audition for a Harold team at this time.

Here’s a bit about me:
I was on several “Harold” (or performance) teams at the Magnet theater from 2006-2009.
I have never been on a Harold team at UCB.
I have auditioned for UCB-NY Harold teams 3 times and UCB-LA Harold teams 1 time.
I have never had a callback for a UCB Harold team.
I am funny.
I perform all the time.
I have both a commercial and theatrical agent.
I network with casting directors, writers, producers a lot.
I’m currently on 2 indie teams and was on at least 1-3 indie teams when I was in NY.
I was even performing improv for the short time I lived in San Francisco.
I have performed with a lot of kick-ass performers.
I currently perform with a lot of kick-ass performers.
I’m in commercials, indie films, web series, sketches, you name it.
I believe in myself and I know I will succeed at every goal I set for myself.
I have fans and friends at UCB, iO West, Magnet Theater, and The PIT.

My point is that YOU make your life what you want it to be.
A Harold team (no matter where it is), will not.

Audition advice:
Be yourself. Be real. Don’t think.

Now go live life for you.

2 months ago

Chapter 2. Improv and Advertising

And so it began…

Billy Merritt's Improv Dance Party Pt2: Coach-less Improv Rehearsals....

I totally agree

improvdanceparty:

Or as I like to call them.. Charades!

I have been told by a few of my students that they’ve been doing practice sessions without a coach. They say it’s hard to find a coach, get the coach they want, or can’t afford one.

All well and good, but don’t think for a minute that you are improving…

Erin Gibson: Pretty Funny (Minus the Funny)

Thank you Erin for writing this article, but I still want to punch those other women in the throat. It surprises me (although, I guess it shouldn’t? ugh) that this still happens.

spolikeluzhate:

juliebrister:

gibblertron:

I don’t understand a lot of things. I don’t understand why my neighbor is pursuing a career as a 1990’s electronic music artist. I don’t understand why the ice cream shop near my house considers two scoops of ice cream one scoop. And I don’t understand how women, educated journalists, can be so…

This is well-put, well-written and well copy-edited (hi Katai!) Let’s all titty-bump gibblertron next time we see her.

I want to meet Erin Gibson and high-five her.

Ashley Judd Slaps Media in the Face for Speculation Over Her ‘Puffy’ Appearance - The Daily Beast

spolikeluzhate:

This is a very important read, and I am surprised I haven’t seen it re-blogged even more on my dashboard.

Reading this made me cry, and then cry in my husbands arms. It really opened up a flood gate of emotions. We are too hard on ourselves because we try to look good for others because the media fucking sucks a dick, and then that makes us all suck a dick.

I don’t wear make up very often, and one of the main reasons is because when I do, I hear “oh you put on make-up, you look so pretty.” And I HEAR THIS FROM WOMEN. Guess what, I look pretty with out make-up, and guess what, so do you. I’m not saying I am anti-make-up. I think there is something fun about putting on a bold colored lipstick or a dramatic eye shadow. I just don’t like it when people use it to cover up and hide their natural true beauty.

We all need to embrace ourselves for who we are, stop changing ourselves to please others. Stop feeling shame for something that you can’t help and that again, is normal and natural. Zits happen to all of us, don’t feel shame. Stretch marks are a natural thing, don’t feel shame. We are all different shapes and sizes, don’t feel shame. Be proud of who you are and be good to yourself because you want to be good to yourself, not so that someone else will be more comfortable looking at you. Fuck those people.

I could write a 50 million page essay on my thoughts, but I just want you to read Ashley Judd’s for now, because her words are very powerful and important. Share this with your sisters, daughters, mothers, fathers, sons, brothers and friends.

Be yourself.

Forever yours in jeans, t-shirts, sneakers & messy hair,

Shannon O’Neill