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Truth in Comedy: The Manual for Improvisation?
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11 reviews of this product found across Reddit:
False. Humor = Reality. One of the core tenants of joke creating is to tell the truth. There is truth in comedy and nothing is funnier than real life.
One of the core books for teaching and learning improv is book called, Truth in Comedy. It goes through many different lessons, but one of them is don't be ridiculous. Play things honestly as you would any situation.
I think with English being your secondary language, there'll be challenges. Humor is so culture dependent and people have vastly different senses of humor. Things like idioms - topics that have a fixed meaning, might be funny to you but not to her and vice versa. You could end up being insulting or just not funny & awkward. You can't really watch a video and "learn humor", however, a general rule of humor is that the truth is funny. Making silly observations of the truth is funny and anyone can relate. It starts by simply paying attention to the world around you.
"Have you ever noticed when..."
"Don't you hate it when..."
Comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, and more recently Louis C.K. have made their mark in comedy for simply being observant about life, common sense, and putting their opinions out in the world.
If you can find this book: <em>Truth in Comedy</em>, it's a guide I picked up doing improv comedy, but applies to just being better overall with social interactions.
You keep her interested through your own stories and adventures to share. Your beliefs, and your ideas. This is where guys make the mistake of doting and putting all their focus on finding a girl and they have no hobbies or nothing interesting to share.
I don't really know. There's a foundation of guidelines in improv that helps you to construct good scenes and make solid jokes. There's a bunch of different philosophies around what's funny, but the best things I've seen have come from different improvisers just being themselves.
Letting what comes naturally for one person tends to have a humorous impact on others because of the differences in the way people think. There's a book called Truth in Comedy That speaks a lot about this.
Maybe this tip can help you. I am an actor (hence the username lol). I have studied a little bit of comedy and I can tell you this. Truthfullness is funny! Use inspiration from your real life as a source of comedy. I know an uprising comedian that is doing the same thing. It can also work in improv comedy. Maybe look into this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Comedy-The-Manual-Improvisation/dp/1566080037
I admire the fact that you have done stand up comedy. I want to try it one day.
For more information, including a more detailed version of "Saying Yes", I wholeheartedly recommend reading The Truth About Comedy
From 2018 Thread:
Truth in Comedy by Charna Halpern, Del Close and Kim Johnson
Art by Committee: A Guide to Advanced Improvisation by Charna Halpern
Well, these are going to be shit on, right?
Ok, so I guess context before roll our eyes and move on: Truth in Comedy was published in 1994 before longform improv, the Harold and iO were on anyone's radar. And let's face it, they're still not on the radar. Anyways, it makes sense that this book is somewhat self-aggrandizing with celebrity namedrops to give the work legitimacy and is basically a book-length ad for taking Harold classes at iO.
This book presents the very basics of improv theory (with name drops), then walks us into longform improv techniques (with name drops) and then culminates with explaining a very basic, training wheels Harold (with name drops). For a pure absolute improv noobie, this is a decent basic book to read...even if the name drops and references are ~~a bit~~ very dated. For anyone with a modicum of experience, it can be a bit of slog to find a nugget of wisdom--that was probably already parroted to you by one of your teachers or coaches.
Loan your copy of Truth In Comedy to an improv noobie then tell them too keep it.
As for Art by Committee, honestly, I was so bored by reading it I skimmed most of of the pages. It also kept referring me to check out a mentioned technique or style on the included DVD (which I still haven't watched). If you're wondering about the 13 pages of just iO photos, I can assure you Charna is in 1/3 of them.
I'll let someone else speak to the DVD and the quality of production and improv therein, but I'm pretty confident that Art by Committee is probably among the lowest tier of improv books on this list.
2020 Update
Remember when there was an iO?
I've scrolled and scrolled, but still haven't seen improv! Many theaters have a "pay-to-play" structure, wherein you're required to take classes at the theater in order to be considered for stage time. The founder Del Close is a mythical figure who established the founding principles of long-form improv. Lots of insider lingo. Many foundational texts (with Del Close's Truth In Comedy arguably being the most influential). Many who participate form the entirety of their social circles around the theater of their choice -- hell, I met my spouse through improv! There are festivals such as the now defunct Del Close Marathon that are considered quintessential pilgrimages for dedicated improvisers. Theaters also often offer many opportunities for unpaid labor to performers/students in exchange for opportunities/favor amongst leadership. And, as in any arts scene, it can also be a breeding ground for predatory behavior. Also, Second City casts literally work on cruises (shades of Sea Org). There's a whole BoJack ep about it.
Work on your lighting and sound. Also, read this.That sketch was about three minutes too long.
Excellent book: Truth in Comedy
Edit: My review
Here's a very good one: http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Comedy-The-Manual-Improvisation/dp/1566080037
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