Austin Improv

Thanks everyone who came out and people who sent good vibes via their brain. Tuesday night at 9:45 = not the most convenient time to draw out support but we very nearly sold out and there were more than a few strangers in the audience.

I don't really get nervous before I go out on stage anymore, other than those quick preshow "How do I do this?" moments, but oh man. Thanks so much for getting our backs.

What a thrill.

Awesome show, indeed, but here's the weird thing about 321-kill that I noticed.

This may just be me, but... well, I think you should mix the players up a bit more. This is partially because the Team B segments, primarily coldtowners, felt like a Coldtowne show, starting with something disturbing (baby in dumpster) followed by a move into high weirdness (spirit babies).

The PGraph team seemed like a PGraph team (taking the absurdities of a particular trope or genre and heightening them but by and large staying within the boundaries of that drama,) and the Frank Mills stage team seemed like Frank Mills: normal people in normal situations giving out way too much information.

Not that it wasn't funny, but they were very distinct. It didn't feel like watching one movie, it felt like watching three different intercut movies.

Well, first off, I'm honored to be in the Frank Mills now. I can't think of a finer group of people to perform with.

And second, the camera team situation was a conscious choice. We wanted for this first show to make the chemistry as good as possible. We all love playing with each other, but it certainly goes smoother with people you perform with every single week.

B, E & I were on the stage team primarily because we all had to miss the big tech rehearsal on Sunday.

Also, fellow Frank Millers, I think we should make that our new team slogan:

Normal people.
Normal situations.
Too much information.

The Frank Mills

Jastroch wrote:B, E & I were on the stage team primarily because we all had to miss the big tech rehearsal on Sunday.

I thought it was because of our recessive genes that cause our jealously-inducing red hair and easily-sunburnt, pale skin? (credit: Erika May)

Also, I wanted to put a baby in a dumpster but stage had no dumpster. WTF?

Seriously, I think the stage show is always going to be just a little more grounded because there's no real environment to work with (not even any chairs up there) and, since it's projected onto the screen, there's less object work and far-from-self characters you can get away with. Anyone can play a grandpa with one leg in an improv show, but film it and it just looks fakey weird.

I'll be interested to see when you guys mix it up but personally I liked that it was distinctly different like Brian said, especially because that tie in ending of "slutty drunk secret service agent picking up naked spirit baby turned human" was something I don't think you would've seen if they weren't so different.

I'm interested in hearing from the film teams how people on the street reacted to them. Did P-graph team have to talk their way out of arrests? Did bare-chested Justin and Arthur pick up any hot chicks as they crawled out of the dumpster, cause chicks dig that ya know?

We actually got a talking to from security guards over at...6th and Lavaca (I believe...UT building with the fountain) before filming our first beat. Wes explained to them what we were doing, and Roy even got a little footage of the guards. Then, right as we were about to start filming, a cop car pulled up to the guard station. They talked to the cop, and he left without ever talking to us. I guess the guards called the cops before finding out what we were doing and then decided we weren't causing any trouble. They kept watching us the whole time we were filming, though.

Weeee!

because we only got one tech rehearsal in the drafthouse and only one show, people were lumped with their teams just to make it all easier.

when and if we get a show at the Ritz (which doesn't open until Sep/Oct), we'll also make more of an effort to get location OKs beforehand.

the idea was also floated for future shows to have another camera person following the camera teams for Random Shots of Chaos.

Pgraph got their security guard worked up and a cop called. We got a different security guard we talked down from calling the cops but throw in an agitated/pissed off parking lot attendant and we're just about even!



Justin's new nickname is Spirit Baby

arthursimone wrote:because we only got one tech rehearsal in the drafthouse

As a long-time Alamo performer, all I have to say is, you got a tech rehearsal?!??!?!

Don't count on that happening every time out.....

arthursimone wrote:when and if we get a show at the Ritz (which doesn't open until Sep/Oct), we'll also make more of an effort to get location OKs beforehand.

This is a great idea. In ...uh ...the other improv show that films segments and runs them back to the theater, they would find bars and restaurants that were ok with them filming inside and then have a running list of places they knew for certain they could use. Just another way to cut down on the unknown elements that can slow things down when time is tight. And also provided for nice non-street environs.

Just be sure that when you check these places out it is around the time that you plan your shows to be and check for sound. Record a couple of samples and make sure that everyone can be heard over the usual din.

Loved the posters, loved the trailer, loved this show!

Highlights:

-Bad President (Jastroh), low self-esteem buddy (Bob) & Applebees-sex security gaurd (Erika)
-POV camera (Roy) as go between for two spies (Kareem & Wes) hiding across the street from one another.
-Couple (Tami & Arthur) happy to be rid of their baby who they dumped in a dumpster
-Therapist spy (Valerie)
-Adult Spirit Baby (Justin)
-Woman (Tami) at ATM wants to buy another baby
-Buddy (Bob) & Security gaurd (Erika) having after-Kmart-sex talk
-ASB (Justin) & mother (Tami) in car
-Spy (Kareem) being held in a 3-walled, chain-link prison
-Lonely President who's wife left him and he had her killed
-Adult BG trying to get his dad to kiss his bulging tummy

And more!!!

Part of the fun for me is the guerilla aspect of it all. Having a few pre-approved locations is fine, but few things beat storming a bar or restaurant and filiming unannounced.

Plus, talkng my way out of trouble with rent-a-cops is fun (and easier than it sounds. People who think they have or want power are such a joy to play with. What a rush). And, the audience gets the thrill of the occasional bust.

We did a lot of scouting in advance to find places that are relatively noise free and decently lit, even did some test filming, but conditions change in a city or with the equipment. Still, the Ritz would be a better location, anyway. Those of us that did it the first time at the Hideout already know a lot of great, relatively quiet locations in that area, from rooftops to playgrounds. I can't wait to get back on that side of town and give this another go.

Thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting!

Wesley wrote:few things beat storming a bar or restaurant and filiming unannounced.

punk rock!
thrills chills, 25% chance of absolute disaster!!!!

Congratulations to you all for a smashing, high-octane job.