I'm taking an improv class with 3/4 of the A-town improv power troupe P-graph. The theme is "meaningful moments," i.e. creating emotionally honest, powerful scenes and not necessarily trying to go for the rapid laugh. Last class, we were instructed to do "boring scenes," which are not boring at all! Without trying to predetermine some wacky relationship or goofy persona and just being a regular person, the slow burn of emotional honesty guides the scene into something wicked compelling that may or may not produce laughs but will pique audience interest and make them care about the characters and what happens to them.
This is a wonderful lesson not only for me as an improviser (I've inferred of late that my 'prov chops are starting to stink like last week's meatloaf) but as a novelist, too. Successful novels require emotional honesty and a love for characters that will sustain a reader through 289 pages.
(Oh my gosh, did I mention I wrote a novel? A whole novel?!? Whew! I just impressed myself a little with good ol' number 289.)
Plus, it impresses the hell out of audience members.
Anyway, thank you P-graph for helping me on my creative paths. I heart you all.
Posted by Zerd at July 24, 2008 10:03 PMOh man, when I read your journal's title my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't wait to read your post! Mo mentioned us in her blog!?
haha
I'm so glad you enjoyed that class, Mo. I find it all so fascinating and I want to share with others the magic in those exercises and what they can teach.
I'm really happy you're in the class!
Bad ass. That's exactly the kind of stuff we've been trying to work on for the last while, and yeah, what you said. I'm sad that I couldn't make that class, but I'm glad that you're all getting great stuff out of it. More like that!
Posted by: Marc at July 25, 2008 10:45 AM