Improv can save the world. How? Because the very nature of improv is cooperation and selflessness. Yes, and... is the embodiment of these principles. I am always amazed how some actors seem intimidated by improv, especially performing in front of a live audience. I too was unsure, til I understood what makes it work.
It would work for society too.
What makes Improv work (when it's done correctly) is the COLLABORATION that takes place, and the elimination of COMPETITION. You have to LISTEN to the other actor and not only acknowledge what they say, you have to enhance it, build upon it, SUPPORT IT.
To succeed in improv, the scene comes first. The actors egos come second. Otherwise, you have over-talking, arguement and stand offs. The scene does not progress. It can not be "every man for himself", good improv, to me, is where the scene comes alive in a bizarre way, due to multiple minds creating cooperatively, simultaneously.
If people gave up competition and materialism and learned to collaberate with each other more, to support each other, NOT because a bible or a governement tells us but because we CHOOSE to do that because it's the RIGHT thing to do.
if we were more selfless and creative, and put society as a whole, ahead of ourselves. We could close the gap between the rich and the poor and have them cooperate, in societies best interest, ending unnecessary suffering. man, what a scene that would be.
The Following Q and A is courtesy of JamesJ FOD channel
>Who is Channel 59?
James, channel59 (one word, with a small c) is Todd Rice(L), Myself, and AJ Navarrete (R).
I, am Andy Sottilare. I also direct and edit the videos. We all tend to contribute to writing the concepts, although I end up editing them, SO, I always “get my way”. heh heh.
>How long have you known each other?
We met 5 years ago when I joined LAUGHING GAS, a miami improv institution. AJ had been a member since 1999 and Todd had joined in 2002, I think. LAUGHING GAS was born of the wreckage, from HURRICANE ANDREW, in 1992. You see, MENTAL FLOSS, was the original, miami based, professional impov troupe. Founded in 1986, by Sandy Mielke, a local Improv guru. Their theatre was destroyed in the ‘92 hurricane and MENTAL FLOSS disbanded soon afterward. A few remaining members (Gerald Owens and Linda Jarvis, among them) founded LAUGHING GAS, to fill the void. It has been going on ever since.
>Is it safe to say that you (Andy) represent Channel 59 here on funny or die, or do Todd and AJ log on and post as well?
Yes, I am the “video pimp” of the 3 of us. I started by taping every Improv show I have done for the last 3 years, and then started editing and posting the best scenes and games. I am, in fact, now trying to do a LIVE webcast of our improv shows through www.Ustream.tv. I will try to tap the FOD people to see if they are interested in watching us live and maybe suggesting stuff through the internet, during the show...
> I love your improv videos, how long have you been doing improv?
I started studying improv in 1996, with Stewart Solomon, an original founder of MENTAL FLOSS. Later (in 1998) I joined PUNCH59
, a sketch comedy troupe known for its off the wall characters and actors. I performed and wrote for them for 4 years, during that time, I helped co found, BEST MEDICINE, another sketch group. I started studying with Gerry Owens, the director of LAUGHING GAS in 2001 but didnt join til march of 2003.
>* How do you prefer spelling ketchup… ketchup or catsup?
I prefer Catsup as it sounds like CAT SOUP and therefore is infintely funnier than “ketchup”. Pickles and Tostada are funny words too.
>* Are you ever nervous before you go on stage?
No, not any more. you see I dont really give a fuck if they like me. Once you get past worrying what “they” think, you have no self awareness, you are free to do what you feel like. Of course, you better have some funny shit inside you, waiting to get out…(like the lord, inside you waiting to get out !!) plus there is a lot of training involved, rules that you use to connect with the other actors and the audience, that knowledge gives you confidence.
>* Who are some of your favorite comedians, past and present?
I love all the pythons, all the early SCTV guys, Kids ITH, Mr Show, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, MST3000, ....I try to look for diff stuff, like Doctor in the House, The Young Ones, Get a Life, and even stuff here on FOD… I think ZKBelushi is brilliant, also all the animated shit is wild… I love it all….anyone I favorite, I think is funny….
>* How many days a week do you perform?
It depends, I do commercials and internet spokesperson gigs a few times a week (or month), but on stage, I was doing the LAUGHING GAS improv show, fri and sat nights at 11 pm, every week, but I’m “on vacation” for now. I did do a show for the DHL management team, 2 weeks ago for THEY improv (Todds improv group)...they seemed to “love” us.
>* When did you discover you had a gift making people laugh and decide you would do something with comedy in your life?
I always made people laugh. I remember doing a skit in 1968 (I was 6), at the North Dade YMCA summer camp parents night event. It got HUGE laughs…(I'll tell you the skit another time). I always got in trouble in school but could joke my way out of it with the teachers. yes, Im 46 !! the same age as Barak Obama and Tom Cruise.....soo what?...no!! IM not defensive about it !!!
>* Do you do comedy full time or do you have a jobby job?
I worked in a hospital for 8 years, pretty much most of the 80s, it was deppressing work, made you callous to peoples suffering. I was a resp. ther. tech., kind of an EMT in the hospital. But then, in 1989, I started dating a model and she convinced me to do that (modeling), which led back to acting, which I had given up in high school. that led to theatre and improv. I only have to act now, but if not for my wifes income, Id be living in a dumpster. hows that?? hello ?? jamesj??
>Thanks and happy belated Columbus Day.
Oh, there you are, huh? Columbus day, oh, OK same to you.
