April 2010
19 posts
Embrace the Mistakes Your Students Make →
When we make a mistake, is it best to have that mistake compounded by harsh notes from a disappointed teacher? I’m not sure to be honest. The negative feelings associated with that note can go a long way to carving it into our brain and into shaping our future choices. Like a child not wanting to get burned, our gut tells us to avoid doing the thing that got such a negative response in the...
The 4,301-calorie entree: America's worst meal?... →
jeffscherer:
At 540 calories, KFC’s controversial Double Down sandwich is chicken feed compared to these 7 shamelessly unhealthy dishes
IRC Podcast with Kurt Braunohler →
Yesterday, I uploaded episode #10 of my improv podcast. This week my guest is Kurt Braunohler. I really enjoyed this conversation. We began by talking about how one goes about teaching Harold, but we quickly moved on to other topics like solo improv, image streaming and viewpoints. Finally we talked briefly about Caligula, an exercise that we talked about in the Susan Messing podcast.
Kurt is a...
Watchcharlietodd:
If anyone sees Tillman while he is in NYC this week, please alert me immediately. I will drop everything for a chance to meet him.
What music do you write to?
charliesanders:
I mainly listen to Popol Vuh, specifically the “Aguirre” soundtrack. I find no lyrics and endless tracks helpful.
But I’ve listened to it a million times. Any recommendations?
I listen to my Dave Brubeck stream on Pandora.
Tumblr - Kevin Hines: I don't know what the Radar... →
Last week I came home to find that a recent tumblr post had rocketed from a dozen or so notes to over a hundred. I tried to check out the reblogs to see what blog had sent that post beyond my meager 150 or so followers.
I couldn’t figure it out. Then my friend Pat sent me a message telling me…
I picked up a bunch of followers. Thank you, Kevin.
I.O. West alum unveils Improv Utopia →
Improv, however, will not be the only activity campers will be participating in. “We will have archery, hiking and more for people to experience. As of now the program is still being developed so there will be more to come,” said Armstrong.
I want to run an improv camp too. Some day I will. But it’s likely to be in January in the desert outside of Scottsdale.
hyperbole is my middle name.: Two Kevins on The... →
coreybrown:
If you listen to his podcast, you will hear that he is taking classes again. Mullaney. Taking. Classes.
Amazing? Yes.
And we have people coming out of their college troupes who get mad at having to take level 1.
To be fair, I did get to start in level 2.
IRC Podcast with Lillian Frances →
Lillian Frances, owner of the Laugh Out Loud Theater talks about auditions, teaching kids, using your warmups well, and yes-anding life.
Improv Nonsense: Young Improvisers Fighting →
One tragic thing about watching young improvisers fight: it’s the first time they’re acting naturally, even though they’re ruining scenes.
Young Improviser A says “You forgot our anniversary!” And Young Improviser B, surprised to learn this, will have a flash of small but genuine anger before saying “No I didn’t! You MADE me forget!”
Even though the scene is stalling comedically, it’s a...
Watchbrettgelman:
Seth Morris is the shit.
Indeed.
Agreement in Improv →
I originally wrote this in January of 2001 and posted it on the Improv Resource Center as the Fundamentals of Agreement. I decided to take another look at this and republish it on my blog. Rereading it, I thought there were a number of small things I would change, but after some consideration, I left it mostly as it was. However, I did add a couple of sentences near the end to clarify a point.
IRC Podcast with Susan Messing →
Susan Messing is my guest this week on the Improv Resource Center Podcast. We talk about Caligula, Busby Berkeley and other improv exercises with awesome names.
Improv Nonsense: Physical Matching At The Top →
Kevin Hines and I debated via email.
Subject: PHYSICAL MATCHING AT THE TOP OF A SCENE
Will: When two people step out at the top of a scene and start matching each other physically I think “THIS SCENE WILL BE BORING FOR AT LEAST 60 SECONDS.”
One person comes out and chops carrots. Then a…
Player 1 comes out and chops carrots. Player two walks out miming an accordion and says, “I...
At Snopes, a Quest to Debunk Misinformation Online... →
jeffscherer:
A profile of two of my heroes, the couple who started the website Snopes.com.
(via The Daily What)
Improv Training Simulator →
If you were studying to be an airline pilot, you would have to log many hours in flying simulators. It’s my understanding that these simulators are often programmed to put the pilot into crisis situations: the cabin loses pressure, an engine catches fire, one of the many mechanical systems fail. The trainee goes through the simulation and tries various strategies to get out of the crisis and...
Improv Nonsense: It's Okay To Ask Questions →
Of all the common rules we through at young improvisers the first one you can get rid of is “Don’t ask questions.” It’s good for new people because lots of new people will do all kinds of things to not add info to the scene. But once you’ve had two improv classes you’ve probably settled down…
Will, what do you think makes a question and what makes a bad question? Here are some ideas:
...
It's not too late →
Recently I was talking to a guy who I have been coaching. He is probably 19 or 20. We were walking into a music room for rehearsal and he said something along the lines of, “I wish I had taken more music classes,” as if it were too late for him. I’m sure I’m taking his words a bit out of context, but it made me laugh, because I couldn’t help thinking of John Ward.
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