The End of 201

It's funny because just as the class is coming to a conclusion, I actually feel like I am beginning to get things. We ran the show in this last class and I feel like I understand the basics. I am learning the lingo for how to respond to my partner, how to focus on one game and take the hints they give. I also feel comfortable framing a game. I still want to practice more in private groups before I get to 301 this way I feel totally confident. The things I need to work on are reacting stronger to what my partner says. I have no problem having an imagination when I'm telling a vivid story to my younger siblings or playing a character in an elaborate game of pirate treasure hunt and surprisingly, improv is very similar. It's a very specific advanced form of make believe. It's almost as if we are children all over again in a more sophisticated manner.

Anyway, when I watch SNL everything makes more sense now, I see what they are doing and I understand why it is funny. I never thought of myself as someone who is funny. I've always been goofy, but I think those are different things. Improv has however made me more direct and honest in everyday life and I think a huge part of being funny is being honest because at the end of the day, everyone can relate...as much as we pretend they can't. From this point, I am taking a month off to do an on camera class and let everything sink in, while running some practice improv groups with friends. I am also hitting up those agents, so look out LA! I have a lot of people visiting me the next couple weeks from out of state/ town/ country, so it will be busy. I might have to catch you up later. Toodles :)

UCB 201: Running the Show

I think I have this love/ hate relationship with improv, most likely because I am just starting out haha.. I do like that I'm learning and challenging myself. However, I feel every time I walk into class, I mentally prepare myself to be scrutinized, to be picked at. And I think it's hindering me from freely improving and thus taking the fun out of it... I need a safe place to make mistakes and I'm even afraid to venture out because I know my thoughts aren't complete or as "UCB stamped" as they should be. This is so vague, sorry. We ran our show last night and it wasn't where I wanted to be at this point. I wanted to be more proficient, to have mastered establishing a game and that hasn't happened. I'm taking a break to do an on-camera class because I just need to let the improv marinate and honestly, I'd rather do scripts. It's what I know. It's what I'm good at. I look at how unique all these lady comedians are and I look like all miss america ingenue, not a funny comedian. I know that's beside the point, but let's get real for a second. This is la, where you are cast the first 10 seconds you are in the room.  So maybe it is wisdom to be aware how I'm percieved, especially with what I want to do. We'll see. I'm a female artist and therefore it's my prerogative to change my mind.

I'm listening to more classical music lately and I think it is actually increasing my artistic tendencies. I find myself craving it as I'm driving around this city with everyone else and their mom. The beauty, the mastery of it all, its inspiring. So, all those tests about Mozart being good for your brain are probably true.

I went to IKEA for the first time today (I know... Don't give me that look) and it was quite an experience. The master of furniture stores because they use the ultimate marketing tool- story telling. They create this desirable world and convince you, "hey, this would be a nice place to live." I just have respect for working artists, people that can make a living off designing, who can find their niche and just hit a home run- economically speaking... I was happy for them, yet jealous. Not because I want to design. Home decor overwhelms me after a while. I am just getting that feeling that all young people get. I want to find my place in the world. I know the things I am good at, I just need to find a place where my talents are appreciated and therefore a place I can excel. And yes, I am aware I've chosen quite the journey ...haha.

We watched our show as we always do after class and then went next door for drinks. I am at the place where I enjoy watching the show and hanging out after more than the actual class... There's probably something off there.

It also probably sin't helping that I cant perform in the graduation show at the end. No official "test" and as a student at heart, that bothers me somehow.

I'm reading Virginia Woolf's A Room of Ones Own and its very interesting. I sympathize with her dialogue on all the warring that goes on inside an artist when she wants to express herself, but finds road blocks, particularly financial ones... anyway, this spoke to me:

" For masterpieces are not single and solitary births; they are the outcome of many years of thinking in common, of thinking by the body of the people, so that the experience of the mass is behind the single voice"

I have experienced a handful of great works of art, numerous workshops and rehearsals where moments have changed me. However, the one time I truly felt I wrote a masterpiece (or at least a masterpiece for what it was) was my speech to my college graduating class because it was exactly that. An experience by a whole so perfectly expressed by a single voice... and that is why they laugh, cheer and applaud, because it is specific to them. Their story. I hope someday to write or create a real masterpiece or one on a larger level.

A Little Chat

Went to the Grub (pictured above-adorable!) with a friend of mine who actually works in the industry today and we just got to joke around, be ourselves and simply talk about life. It's nice to hear positive things about me, especially when any form of the word "talent" is included. It was a huge confidence booster. And I've decided unless you want to do it the hard way, all actors need fans.... or at least friends that will lie to them well and tell them they can do it. I am convinced that it is these little conversations that actually go the longest. Talking with people always gives you perspective, even people outside the industry. surround yourself with good people who love you. I may not have followed all the steps correctly, but this is the ONE thing I have actually done right and I am beyond grateful. There is nothing more valuable than people in this world to begin with.

I was also doubting if I was a real actress as thoughts of getting a "real" job wandered through my mind this week. I found myself crying earlier today because I wasn't working on something creative, because I wasn't creating/ directing/acting and it hurts me... deep. Disturbed? potentially. But, it did satisfy my inner doubt. I am a real artist. I love creating! I spend all my time, thoughts, resources and money in trying to make it happen... if that isn't passion, I don't know what is. Just because it is taking longer than I expected doesn't mean that the results are too far in the future. And wisdom tells me, "do not despise the small beginnings."

UCB 201: Putting it all together

So, class finally was fun again for the first time in like 6 weeks!! We just started running the Harold. Three quick monologues, scene premises from the monologues, second beats of the first scenes. We did that over an over again and we actually were doing well. We found games, we justified things, we heightened the games. wow. I was beginning to wonder if I should take 201 over again, but now I feel like we are getting it... FINALLY!!! after being so frustrated!!! I think the biggest difference was we were allowed to play without specific boundaries. For so many weeks we were playing games that were so specific and had a lot of limitations, so that we could learn a very little piece of the tool belt for improv and everything was new. Now it's time for review so we can culminate everything together.

I ha a stuffy nose this class and I wasn't feeling one hundred percent, so I told myself that tonight I wasn't going to stress. I was going to relax and absorb the information. And I had a huge revelation. when you are relaxed and not freaking out about a scene idea, your brain actually work better and can make a good connection. For example, my partner initiated a scene where a husband wanted to infest the entire town with termites so that his termite exterminating business could get rich quick. I "yes and-ed" until I established that he wanted to exploit people for money and I thought it was kind of immoral. He was the crazy man and I was the strait man. Simply responding to what he said last and really listening. Trust that we find something. I think that's a HUGE KEY! Much bigger than any of the experts let on. We did our scene heightened it and we got edited. And then, the panicking ensues. Ah!!!!! I have to figure out what the initiation is for the second scene, to play the beat correctly, play the right game. Pressure, pressure building. Then, I remembered my resolution. "Christina. No freaking out. Just stop an watch these other scenes. Something will come." And so I stopped, and like a miracle 10 seconds later I got an idea for a way to heighten the game!!! How like life is that! The second you let something go, it falls right into your lap.I started the next scene with us being husband and wife and him kidnapping children to "get rich quick" and it worked! yay!!! breakthrough. Yes, its a small scene, but it symbolizes that I can do this. It isn't as distant as I'd thought.

The main notes that our class got in the games is looking for the why of the weird character. If he/she can say why they hold this strange philosophy, it actually makes the scene more successful and it makes my job easier. So that will be my next focal point. If I am the unusual man, say explicitly why I hold this philosophy and if I am the strait man, push for why the other has this philosophy. If we are peas in a pod, say the why. The clearer the better because so MUCH is lost in translation in improv, even if you are trying your hardest. Lamens terms are best.

I am still not really laughing at the shows even though they are well done. I see more of the language that they use and it's not as much of a mystery to me anymore. I see their science and so, its almost as if a piece of the magic and awe has disappeared for me. But as I am trying to become a magician myself, that's probably for the best. My brain is till actively tracking them, watching their moves. "Oh, I see what they did there." "This worked really well." It's fun, but in a deeper way. I was reunited with some of my 101 friend so that was definitely a highlight! Yay friends! People to process with!

UCB 201: Second Beat

In class, we went over the second beat. Basically, you play a first game, heighten it, do other scenes and you will come back to that scene either with a time dash (with the same character somewhere else) or analogous (with different characters playing the same game). For us, in class, we really struggled with getting the why of the first game, which made the second beat really hard to hit.

For example, in a scene, I played a character that made sound effects to everything. aka biting a burrito, making wispy noises when my partner's hair moved. She gifted me that I've been over-dramatizing everything since my acting classes and I added that making all the effects just made life more fun. It was a funny scene and it was one of the first times in 201 where I actually felt competent. Yay! I can find a game!!!! Hallelujah. And then. End scene, take a few seconds, come up with the second beat. I felt pressured for time and couldn't think of anything else, so I played the same character at work handing in a report and I did more of the sound effects for everything, which got more laughs. However, the note I got was that is was the same scene all over again. I didn't care! At least I can sort-of do one component right. My teacher wasn't going to rain on my parade! And as more and more classmates did second beats, we found the same issue over and over again. Those that did find a game just played it over again because the why was lacking, which made the game incomplete. We all left class feeling very frustrated.

I try to remind myself that I am learning a new language. And then I sit there in class and I think, hey, I already know how to do theatre. I know how to build a character. I know how to do films (shorts mostly, but the skills translate). I am phenomenal at hosting, I'm great at a talk show and I've done some major public speaking. These are the things I know. These are the things I'm good at and naturally excel in. Why am I spending my time trying to be funny and learn improv, when it's obviously going to take a lot of energy. I guess my motive was that I knew a close friend got discovered through ucb and so it seemed so achievable. However, she is naturally funny. She has the "character" look. This is what probably comes most naturally to her and so she met her destiny. I am glad I am expanding my improv skills and I'm "seasoning" myself as an actor, but sometimes we may just have natural gifts for a reason. This is why type casting exists. Because type casting works;it's true. Why am I trying to fight the system?

And THEN>>>> We go see our usual ucb show and I notice the justifications and the grounding of everything. I see them using the lingo to identify the unusual thing. But honestly, THEY AREN'T PLAYING COMPLETE GAMES! What? !!! They are playing half games and everything that they are doing that is successful and getting the most laughs, they will do all over again for a second beat. Very similar to what I did in class today that I got reprimanded for.

I think part of it is their games are very simple and usually involve a specific character in the title of the game. aka: overbearing parent, paranoid spouse, forgetful cop ect. The game is so broad that you have more room to play. I think I try to make my games so specific that I trap myself.

I stopped laughing at the shows. I am so analytical that I am watching their every move, narrating to myself and identifying when things happen.oh, there's the game, oh they just confirmed the game, oh, the second beat, I see how they did that. When the crowd reacts with roaring laughter, I shake my head in awe. So, that got a laugh...why? I've almost completely detached myself from the enjoyment of it all and it has become work, a project to be mastered. Wasn't improv supposed to be fun? Maybe my personality is too intense for improv or maybe this analytical part is just a stage and after nit picking everything apart, I will find the ease and joy of it again. I remember feeling so free in 101, sheesh what happened?

Maybe, it's like they say: "You learn all these rules, but they can all be broken." Most of the teams I see just do what works and they are often playing several games at one time. My favorite part is the imagination of it all. Going to a country town with a ghost from long ago, visiting a pirate ship or a train station with a french conductor...all from a one word suggestion. The power of the human mind to make connections is astounding and it's actually quite beautiful to watch. I found myself laying my head on the wooden banister as I was on the far side, watching with intent, glazed eyes resigned to the fact that for that moment, I wouldn't be able to trace the magic or figure it out.

The funnest part came afterward when some classmates and I all went to get a beer next door. We talked all things acting, la, ideal types ect and it was sooo fun. Despite my frustration, something about sitting in a bar after a show with a bunch of other performers makes me feel like this is the dream. In La with fun people, on this CRAZY adventure. I guess more than success what I wanted most out of life was adventure and a long string of stories to go with it! So, I am grateful. These are "the" moments.