#57 Modern generative sorcerer
Issue #57 Modern generative sorcerer
12th April 2023
Greetings, improv traveller.
So what's going on with me? Thanks for asking.
It's been a big week of improv.
I taught a class on Truth in Improv and was struck by this reflection from my Hoopla colleague Claudia Novati on one of the rules I set up at the beginning.
I've also had my first in-person rehearsal for The Improvised Play's new show based on the work of Neil Gaiman, Mixed Omens. What a pleasure to be part of such a skilled ensemble again. Thanks to Stephen Davidson for his thoughtful direction.
Finally, I've been loving my Mockumentary Now! course on Monday nights. This was the first class I ever put out under my own name and the quality of the work I've seen has been astonishing. There's something so satisfying about "direct to camera" scenes in improv. I'll be looking to repeat this course in the near future so join the waiting list if you're interested.
Rule of three
[TV] Schmigadoon
Schmigadoon, the oh so niche TV show where Cecily Strong & Keegan-Michael Key get trapped in a musical, has returned for a second season. And the inspiration for its brilliant song homages has moved to the musicals of the late 1960s/70s. In other words, the best musicals. Yep, we're now in Schmicago. The whole thing is an utter joy.
[Design] Colour palette generator
Really enjoyed messing around with Poline, an idiosyncratic colour palette generator. In its own words, it's "an indispensable tool for the modern generative sorcerer, and a delight for the eye." Yes, it is both of those things.
[Dog] Maggie the Goalie
Witness me, a life-long cat person, begin to find joy in internet dog videos.
Spotlight
My clever friends, Rob Armstrong & Katy Schutte, are putting on a brilliant course based on some of the things we've learned combining virtual reality and improv in recent years. I believe Rob has been hard at work creating a completely new custom software platform for this course so it'll be truly cutting edge stuff. I can't recommend The Electrostatic Workshop more highly.
Longform thoughts
This is either the best or worst thing I’ve ever written.
Study the Improv / Muppet index.
Radio days
Step, step, step ... and TURN!