Outside Inspiration

Miggy · Post by **Miggy** » July 16th, 2007, 11:34 am

I watched a comedy movie last night.

That probably doesn't register on most people's mental calendars, but for me it does. I don't typically watch movies in the theater or at home and when I do I generally run the other way from anything labeled 'comedy', with the last time I saw one probably being when I was home with my parents over Christmas. I also don't have a TV and my recreational reading has been cut back due to time constraints. It, too, is predominantly non-fiction or at least non-humor.

Am I screwing myself....or in a wonderfully liberating creative place? Anyone else find themselves in this situation?

vine311 · Post by **vine311** » July 16th, 2007, 11:40 am

What was the movie?

Miggy · Post by **Miggy** » July 16th, 2007, 12:02 pm

vine311 wrote:What was the movie?

"Anchorman" with Will Ferrell. It was light....which I guess is the point....but it made me laugh.

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » July 16th, 2007, 12:10 pm

...right in the baby-maker.

York99 · Post by **York99** » July 16th, 2007, 12:39 pm

In general, I believe in opening one's self up to as much as possible.

For improv reasons, you may not want to watch comedies for examples of what IS funny, rather watch to get a sense of what is NOT funny by what turns you off.

Plus, comedy is fun and, when done well, smart.

nadine · Post by **nadine** » July 16th, 2007, 1:45 pm

I think it also helps to discover what kind of comedy you like... (which is very subjective).

I'm with Justin, you should expose yourself to as many different things as possible. So people who like watching "light" movies should read non-fiction and other serious endeavours that you do.

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » July 16th, 2007, 1:49 pm

Two improvisers I respect have told me that it is important to read and watch everything (or as much as you can) to help make you a good improviser. Keeping up with classic literature, news & current events, and pop culture will not only make you smart, but will give you some perspective on the world and the people who live in it. Which naturally leads to comedy, right?

There are some places where you can get caught up on events & pop culture (without having to read every boring newspaper, or watch every stupid show out there).

http://www.aintitcool.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/weekinreview/

I listen to NPR in my car and watch PBS at night. I also read the NT times headlines (and then read the articles that appeal to me). I used to be a big movie fan, but these days I prefer to work on my own projects at home, but I still check out Rotten Tomatoes to see what I'm missing, movie wise.

improvstitute · Post by **improvstitute** » July 16th, 2007, 2:25 pm

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT...

York99 · Post by **York99** » July 16th, 2007, 2:47 pm

Does anyone know of a site that has a VERY quick review of pop culture? I used to keep up, but now it really bores me. Further, shows like Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood can actually make me physically ill... no kidding. But, I figure I should stay in the loop.

mcnichol · Post by **mcnichol** » July 16th, 2007, 2:51 pm

York99 wrote:Does anyone know of a site that has a VERY quick review of pop culture?

For music, http://www.75orless.com/.

Asaf · Post by **Asaf** » July 16th, 2007, 4:31 pm

I believe People.com has some quick run downs on celebrity bullshit and ew.com has a gossip section.

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » July 16th, 2007, 11:40 pm

York99 wrote:Does anyone know of a site that has a VERY quick review of pop culture?

No, but here is a TV show that shows you the week in review...

Best Week Ever on VH1
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/best_week_ ... ries.jhtml

Wesley · Post by **Wesley** » July 17th, 2007, 12:07 pm

So long as it isn't a Pauly Shore or Adam Sandler movie, a little outside inspiration is never a bad thing.

York99 · Post by **York99** » July 17th, 2007, 12:09 pm

Wesley wrote:So long as it isn't a Pauly Shore or Adam Sandler movie, a little outside inspiration is never a bad thing.

I'll agree on Shore and most Sandler movies, but there's no denying Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison as really stupid movies that are somehow funny.

Jastroch · Post by **Jastroch** » July 17th, 2007, 1:46 pm

York99 wrote:
Wesley wrote:So long as it isn't a Pauly Shore or Adam Sandler movie, a little outside inspiration is never a bad thing.
I'll agree on Shore and most Sandler movies, but there's no denying Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison as really stupid movies that are somehow funny.

Billy Madison is a work of genius. There's no denying it.