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.
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