Instructor: Bobby Moynihan
Date Take: June 2008
I took a short break from improv after moving to New York in January 2008. To jump back into it, I decided to take classes at Upright Citizens Brigade—my first official improv class and my first real exposure to long-form improv.
Below are the notes I took from the class. Find out more about UCB’s training program here.
Class #1 – Introduction to Yes And & Support
- Tuesday night is Harold Night @ UCB
- Check out the Assscat DVD (specifically the commentary on the DVD)
- Always “play to the top of your intelligenceâ€
Class #2 – Yes And & Commitment
Guest Instructor: Silvija Ozols
- First suggestion is the best one (to take)
- Remember Who What Where, generally in first 3 lines
- Listen for that first unusual thing
- If this is true, then what else it true
- Don’t be “coy†– be specific
- Dare to be dull aka don’t go for the funny joke
Class #3 – Object Work & Establishing the Environment
- Pointing out a mistake is a dick move. Â Using the mistake in your scene is good improv
- You can work on object work every day at home
Class #4 – Environment Based Scene Work
Guest Instructor: Jeff Hiller
- Make a connection with the other player
- Play to the top of your intelligence
- The scene is always about the people in the scene, the object work is just the spice
Classes #5-8 – Preparing for the Show
[No notes]