I've been working on something for the last few years in acting class that I thought I'd share with the Lounge (all credit to my acting teacher, feel free to message me and I'll be happy to send the class info). When you study improv, don't focus on being an "improv" actor. Instead, use the opportunity to develop characters on the fly. Those archetypes will come in big time as you pick up new scripts for auditions or do cold reads. Case in point: I'm developing an undercover cop character, Det. Ben Albright, LAPD (an intelligent but slightly bumbling and put upon investigator). The other day, I received an audition to play the third wheel/comedic relief in a cop movie, and using the base of Ben Albright on top of the script, I was able to put down tape that honored the written word while making the character three-dimensional and unique to me.
Just my thoughts on the value of improv, any UCB/Second City/Groundlings actors probably know more. Any actor/writers, improv is also a great way to develop new stories (currently writing a pilot based on one story that we came up with in a session).
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This is thoughtful and smart advice. Thanks for sharing with the community Nick.
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Great advice J.N. Gould! I think a lot of those improv places touch on this but they're known more for comedy, Groundlings definitely dives more into this topic and how you can use it for any genre
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Really love this. Thanks for sharing, J.N. Gould!
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Fantastic insights! - From a screenwriting perspective, Tarantino evangelizes the same things. All screenwriters should try an improv class at least once!
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Absolutely, J.N. Gould! Improv can be a powerful tool for so many creatives. It can help performers, writers, and directors understand characters and motivations from a deeper perspective. I've even seen people use it as a therapy technique!