That part was my director's instruction to me; it was one of my biggest problems in improv.
I would lock up and try to think of something clever for the next scene, and usually miss out on whatever else was actually happening. Worse, the more time I spent on it, the more I really wanted to force it into the scene, which is pretty uncool.
So, yeah, don't force the funny. Just be quick and committed and energetic, and that alone will make things pretty good for a long long while.
or, don't be funny at all. sometimes that in itself is funny. Everyone needs a straight man to play off of sometimes.(that's what she said.) and being the bigger man and allowing someone to play off of a well-thought out setup is a noble endeavor.
Comedy is certainly all in the timing. Stopping and thinking up a great line will mean you miss the proper moment to deliver the joke.
The best example I know of is the old Loony Toons cartoons. They are all set to a song, and jokes are timed on numbers of beats. The anvil falling on the duck is not that funny, but the anvil falling on the duck exactly three beats after he did some important action is.
Also worthy of note: if a performer of any type is not highly confident in their actions on stage, the performance can fall flat. Sitting and planning a "good joke" does not exactly show confidence. As you say, "quick and committed and energetic" works better. Some might call this "good showmanship" as opposed to "technical perfection".
Comments 4
"Don't force yourself to be funny".
That's all i needed to know. seacrest out!
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I would lock up and try to think of something clever for the next scene, and usually miss out on whatever else was actually happening. Worse, the more time I spent on it, the more I really wanted to force it into the scene, which is pretty uncool.
So, yeah, don't force the funny. Just be quick and committed and energetic, and that alone will make things pretty good for a long long while.
Reply
Reply
Comedy is certainly all in the timing. Stopping and thinking up a great line will mean you miss the proper moment to deliver the joke.
The best example I know of is the old Loony Toons cartoons. They are all set to a song, and jokes are timed on numbers of beats. The anvil falling on the duck is not that funny, but the anvil falling on the duck exactly three beats after he did some important action is.
Also worthy of note: if a performer of any type is not highly confident in their actions on stage, the performance can fall flat. Sitting and planning a "good joke" does not exactly show confidence. As you say, "quick and committed and energetic" works better. Some might call this "good showmanship" as opposed to "technical perfection".
Those classes sound fun...
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