iowest

In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Liam Clancy to discuss Short Form Improv.

Brian joins Jennifer and David on a bridge to discuss the art of improv, Pack Theater in L.A., and what BOC has been up to during the pandemic.

Brian James O’Connell is a working actor, writer, director, filmmaker and teacher in Los Angeles. After selling his feature film debut as a writer/director, KILLER VIEW (the only film shot on disposable video), he followed it up by directing the 35mm Southern indie comedy ANGRY WHITE MAN starring Matt Berry, Scoot McNairy, Steve Agee and Mary Birdsong. BOC (as his friends call him) is part of the improv powerhouse & comedy collective Dr. God, who delivered their first feature film project BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS in 2015, starring Fran Kranz, Pedro Pascal, Joey Kern, Joel Murray, and Emma Fitzpatrick, which O’Connell directed as well as co-writing the script with Dr. God. The film was the Opening Night Premiere at Slamdance in 2015 and is available now on Amazon Prime after it’s 15 city theatrical run along with a two year run on Showtime. Dr. God's new animated series HELL DEN is currently available on SYFY Channel where they serve as the Creator, Executive Producers, Producers, Directors and Writers. Season 2 premiered in Fall of 2020 as part of TZGZ. With multiple projects in development, BOC is currently pitching his pilot THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK (based on the IP of the same name) under Executive Producer Emmet McDermott (60 Second Docs).

Please give him more stuff to do. It brings him joy.

Nick joins David and Jennifer on a bridge to discuss chicken suits, his favorite sandwich, and how he's involved in so much improv.

Nick is an Actor, Improvisor, Director and Writer. On TV Nick has been on the Emmy-Award winning shows The Office and Grey’s Anatomy. He has also made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live, New Girl, Stan Against Evil, Young Sheldon, Brooklyn Nine Nine and Parks and Recreation. Nick has trained at world famous Groundlings and iO West. He is an alum of The Sunday Company at the Groundlings and has also performed at the M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater with LA’s Critically Acclaimed Harold team King Ten. Nick is the co-owner of RISE Comedy in Denver, Colorado and he has also taught improv at iO West, The Groundlings, M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater where he served as Artistic Director and has done workshops all over the world. He is the Founder and Camp Director of Camp Improv Utopia a a 501(c) (3) Non Profit improv retreat for grown ups. He is also one of the founding members of the The Improv Network.

risecomedy.com

nickarmstrong.com

www.improvutopia.com

www.bridgeimprovtheater.com

In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie pull a page from Truth in Comedy by Charna Halpern and dissect each and every word.

Here is the excerpt:

Every director has heard the dreaded, familiar "My character wouldn't do that." There is nothing a character won't do. When an actor discovers a new character in his personality, he must find what will make him go further — to do the unexpected. Developing characters proved to be one of the most useful elements of the Harold for Chris Farley when he moved on to Saturday Night Live.

"I was able to come up with many different characters. In one Harold, I could do five characters, and maybe hone those just a little bit and try 'em again," says Farley. "There are so many different characters you can do in one given Harold — five characters can easily emerge."

KEY POINTS FOR CHAPTER NINE

*Commit to the physical.

*Let your environment affect you.

*Be specific with your objects.

*Reveal yourself through your character.

In this episode, Chris, Sam, and Jaymie are joined by Craig Cackowski to discuss giving notes and other things.

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Annie Mebane. Originally from Florida, Annie came up in comedy at iOWest and UCBLA, performing on house improv teams at both theaters. As a writer, she's worked on a number of awesome shows including Happy Endings, Breaking In, Community, The Michael J. Fox Show, The Goldbergs, and currently the new Heathers series.

This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on iTunes, follow me on Twitter.

This episode features special guest David Magidoff, the host of MTV’s Broke Ass Game Show. David tells us about how he occupied his time growing up as an only child. Sam, Gabe and David talk sports, including the LA Clippers postseason run, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, the Avengers Age of Ultron...what? We close out with some improv fun based on David’s story.  

Like us on FB. Follow us on Twitter @lowerthegabe & @lowerthesam

Writer/performer Margot Leitman and her husband are right for each other. They both like scamming and bad movies.

Each week Hollywood’s most talented people in the entertainment industry share true, personal stories on the Story Worthy Podcast. Story Worthy celebrates 14 years of podcasting in July 2024 and has over 800 episodes recorded. Christine Blackburn is the creator, host and producer of Story Worthy, Story Smash the Storytelling Game Show, and My Life In 3 Songs exclusively on Spotify.

Listen to the entire episode wherever you hear podcasts. If you get a chance, will you please give Story Worthy 5 stars and a good review on Apple Podcasts?  https://bit.ly/3Qk5UeL It always helps, thank you!

And join the mailing list! https://www.storyworthypodcast.com/

Follow Christine’s new show, My Life In 3 Songs. Christine talks to comedians about the 3 songs in their lives that have impacted them, then they listen to the song. Listen exclusively on Spotify-https://spoti.fi/3dpHX5X

Find My Life In 3 Songs on social media @MyLifeIn3Songs and at the website https://www.mylifein3songs.com/

PLUS! Watch Story Smash The Storytelling Game Show! Comedians spin a wheel and tell TRUE 1-3 minute stories on the topic they land. You can watch episodes from the pandemic and from summer 2023 right now on YouTube- https://bit.ly/39OoTdw

Story Smash website-  https://www.storysmashshow.com

And here's Christine  everywhere- https://linktr.ee/ChristineBlackburn

THANK YOU!

Craig Cackowski from iO West and Second City in LA talks about doing scenes from imaginary plays, feeling scenes before you know what is happening, La Ronde and the North vs. South Harold.