21 May Improving Your Acting Skills – Improv Isn’t Just for Jokers
There are multiple options to explore when you embark improving your acting skills. Many professionals want to sink their teeth into dramatic work and pride themselves in crying on cue. These assets are immeasurable to a successful career, but an avenue often overlooked by “serious” actors is improv.We watch SNL and sketch comedy online, but sometimes those that dream of their name in lights don’t necessarily see it coming from laughs. A common misconception of improv work is that it is solely rooted in comedy and only for those pursuing a path in that genre.
Not true.
At BunkerLA, we want to see your career flourish in every aspect. Improv training is an excellent addition to your actor’s toolbox. There are several training programs available throughout town, and the opportunities to showcase your work are incredible.
Get into a training program, send out a BunkerLA postcard to casting professionals and watch their ears perk up. Here are some benefits to getting good improv training under your belt.
Auditions
Not only do commercial auditions call for improvised situations, but a number of film auditions do as well. With traditional training classes, there’s a lot of focus on the copy, scene direction, and set circumstances. Decision makers want to see where you take things on your own. Getting comfortable with moment-to-moment situations during improv training gives you an extra step ahead of the competition.
On the Job
Not everything is set in stone. Theater actors know this, and nowadays, most film actors realize that once you hit the set, the script can go out the window. Not only must you be ready and willing to make adjustments to things that are planned, but you may be expected to simply react on the spot. This not only applies to character and story line changes, but you don’t want to be a deer in headlights if the camera is rolling and things don’t go as planned. Taking an improv class and being ready every moment to shoot from the hip can make or break a shot, a scene, or entire day’s production. If you have five minutes before the sun goes down and the camera’s rolling, but a car drove by, you have to be able to incorporate that into your scene and not just pretend it’s not there. Your entire crew will thank you for your professionalism and saving a one chance take.
In Life
Improv classes not only help your career, but they get you more comfortable listening and reacting with effective communication. This not only aids your big picture dreams, but your life as well. Who couldn’t use a little more assistance making good, effective decisions in the moment?
Don’t let an abundance of quality improv training opportunities go to waste. Explore them and make some time to participate. Many of the programs also have showcases at the end of their terms. This is a perfect time to give BunkerLA a call to get a new batch of postcards to send out to promote your newfound skills.