Last Saturday, I had the pleasure
of taking a workshop taught by Brian James O’Connell at Finest City Improv.
The class was funny, fast paced
and interactive. I left feeling a little more knowledgeable in comedy improv
and a little more eager to take my next improv class. I jotted down some notes that I’m going to
list here:
- Never too late to drop the baby or pick up a French accent
- Specificity is good
- You have 3 lines or 30 seconds
- Yes, and… (it’s punctuated)
- Slow Down
- Start with a declarative statement
- When in doubt, shut up
- Laughs are to be earned, not chased
- Mortality, Sexuality, Political Structure, Social Structure, and Religion
- Straight-Absurd
- Alternate Reality
- Character Based
- Reality
- Triangle 1: Robot Pirate Ninja
- Triangle 2: Fast Cheap Good
- Triangle 3: Smart Funny Interesting
Ok, not sure if I got those all
exactly right and there was lots more, but I just wanted to put it here as a
reminder to myself and a taste for others who may be thinking of studying with
Brian.