I can't believe I made this commitment. After seeing Quartet (and after constantly talking big about how I was going to take iO classes eventually) I knew that I could not put it off any longer. It was take the classes now while I have time and sufficient funds or keep putting it off and find myself questioning why I never took the risk. $359 later and a locked in 3.5 hours a week for 7 weeks, I'm officially a student of the iO.
After each class I will compile my notes and I will reflect back on the scenes I did in each class.
Level One - Dave Hill
Tuesdays 3:00PM-6:30PM
The Loft
Class 1 - November 2, 2010
Prelude: That 3 hour drive up to LA was tough. That's a long time to be sitting. It makes me want to get some audio books or find some new albums to listen to so that I don't feel like so unproductive. I had to stop at an AM PM to grab an overpriced tuna sandwich and a medium sized Redbull.
By the time I got into Hollywood I realized that I hadn't used my iPhone once. I'm terrible at directions so this was a mini-miracle. I parked far from the iO. I wasn't seeking valet parking as it's too expensive. I ended up parking near UCB right next to Gelson's Market. A nice 15 minute walk to iO. As I approached the iO I took the corner around Cahuenga to head to the training center.
I was early. 20 minutes early to be exact. Let's hope I can keep this habit. I didn't go upstairs immediately as I did not know what was up there. Instead I waited at the bottom of the stairs for people to show. A few people started trickling in and when those couple people went up so did I.
First Impressions: I kept my mouth shut. I've been improvising for over a year but I didn't want to show my hand. Everyone in class (and when I say everyone I mean the 4 other people who were there) were chatting and building a report. I stayed to myself, not because I was antisocial but because I didn't find interest in their brag talk. A couple of them talking up their improv experience, the places they have performed, what groups they were apart of, and what other classes they are taking...Stab me in the face already. With that kind of talk they better be good (they were pretty decent I must admit). I'd like to keep that expectation low for myself. Actions > Words.
So 2 of them with experience. The other 2 with little to none. And there was another gentleman that joined up about 45 minutes later; I don't know what his deal was. Anyways, we sat scattered around the small room awaiting Dave Hill. Footsteps coming from the door were heard. It wasn't Dave. It was a man (forgot his name unfortunately) who was the head of the training center. He had glasses and that's really all I could remember of him. He passed out some papers regarding information about class and he took attendance and had us fill out papers about an emergency contact person. I was itching to do some improv. But I was nervous.
Dave Hill: When Dave entered I had to admit I was a bit starstruck. Only an improviser would be starstruck like this. Every time I had seen him perform with King Ten, it was utterly amazing. This is a man who knows his stuff. He looks much different when seeing him face to face. I could not believe that he would be giving me notes specifically about me. Okay, enough of that. He's a cool guy.
Notes: The class was small. I hope it stays small. I believe it is going to stay at a maximum 9 people. There were 6 on the first day. After the introduction of Dave as well as us going through the syllabus we were ready to begin.
Here are some of the games we did:
Pattern Game
Hot Spot
3-Line Scenes
(I believe there was one more but I can't remember as I am writing this 3 days afterwards)
Dave Hill had some prominent notes; some of them his improv mantras.
- "It's not about making the perfect choice. It's about making a choice"
(Make a decision. Move the scene forward. All can be justified and supported)
- If everyone is focused on trying to make connections, they will happen.
(This involves listening and doing call backs)
- If ever you are stuck and don't know what to say or do, make statements or give gifts. Make statements of where your character is coming from. Give gifts that tell us about the history, personality, and character of your scene partner. Paint them and define them.
(Give full gifts, not half gifts. Have an opinion about the other person)
- "If blank is true, what else is true?"
(If a character has multiple DUIs, then that character is probably slow to learn)
- "Make little things big"
(If you are going to do something. Do it big. You are a needy person? Be REALLY needy)
- Have a judgement (opinion) about someone in the scene and let that judgement affect your character.
(Have a point of view and react as your character would react)
- Relationship drives action. Context and premise does not drive the scene.
(Name the other person. Who are they to you? How do you feel about them? No plot)
- Ask yourself, what are you trying to accomplish in this scene?
(Why is the audience watching this? While keeping a strong relationship, have a goal. An example of a goal is exploring the different perspectives of two characters)
- The other person is your resource. Nothing else is real except or that other person.
(Use that other person as inspiration. React to what they say and do).
- "There are no mistakes in improv. Only opportunities."
(A mistake an opportunity to make something a game or a chance to justify)
myNotes:
- Name the other person in the scene and say where you are.
- Give better gifts. Specificity is not enough.
- Good job at creating a game
- Had a judgement about my scene partner
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