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Art by Committee: A Guide to Advanced Improvisation
This series contains both a book and DVD. It is a guide to advanced improvisation. This sequel to the best-selling improv book "Truth in Comedy" is designed to help improv performers move up to the more advanced levels of improvisation. Accompanying the book is a DVD featuring performers in action demonstrating the instructions and ideas covered in the book. The DVD includes performances by four popular improv groups: Upright Citizens Brigade, Beer Shark Mice, Armando Diaz Theatrical Experience, The Reckoning and assorted short clips with Peter Hulne. Also on the DVD are interviews with many celebrity improv artists including: Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Stephnie Weir, Tim Meadows, Andy Dick, and Adam McKay.
- GenresComedyNonfictionTheatre
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 30, 2019
I still take it for granted that Del Close was a brilliant man whose personal contributions to improvisational theater were invaluable. I didn't get any evidence supporting that contention from reading this book, however, despite that being its most central idea. Charna Halpern might just be a bad hagiographer, but her account of her longtime business partner is tonally affectionate but still creates the impression of an opinionated and personally unpleasant blowhard. If this Close is considered as a man of ideas, they are bad and haphazard ones, including at one point an uncritical acceptance of faith healing via classic black & white comedies. The most ridiculous passage of the entire book is as follows:
Where to start? Dario Fo won a Nobel Prize, not for a particular play but for a life's work. And although that work used improvisation as one of many tools, it's anything but clear that the improvisation that he employed with his actors bore much resemblance to the Chicago style of improv that Halpern is talking about. Did Close actually make these mistakes, or are they just problems in translation? Either way, it's inexcusable for Halpern to leave these mistakes in her manuscript without so much as checking the spelling of the playwright's name. Halpern reminds us often as to what a voracious reader Close was, but "voracious" doesn't always translate into "careful" or "critical." It doesn't help that Halpern's response to accusations of Close's misogynistic behavior basically boils down to "But he loved Betty Thomas!!!" It's Halpern's account, and there are plenty of other testimonials about Del Close's genius elsewhere, but this portrait coming from a person who worked so close to him mars my impression of the man nevertheless.
Overall, the advice about improvisation itself is more coherent and interesting than Halpern's scattershot technique in Truth in Comedy: The Manual for Improvisation, but it's still overly reliant on cheerful platitudes. Particularly irksome is a chapter devoted to women in improv, which doesn't begin to consider that complaints of widespread and longstanding marginalization of women in the field just might have a basis in reality. No, it's "Get out there are do your best, gals! Trust your scene partners! It's nothing personal!"
The proof is in the pudding, and so many people who studied under Halpern and Close do downright inspirational work. Whatever they did so very, very right hardly translates to the page at all.
"Del told us about a man named Dario Foe who won a Pulitzer Prize for a play he had written. In an interview, Mr. Foe revealed that the play was, in fact, improvised. That means, folks, we are capable of improvising something worthy of a Pulitzer Prize.
Where to start? Dario Fo won a Nobel Prize, not for a particular play but for a life's work. And although that work used improvisation as one of many tools, it's anything but clear that the improvisation that he employed with his actors bore much resemblance to the Chicago style of improv that Halpern is talking about. Did Close actually make these mistakes, or are they just problems in translation? Either way, it's inexcusable for Halpern to leave these mistakes in her manuscript without so much as checking the spelling of the playwright's name. Halpern reminds us often as to what a voracious reader Close was, but "voracious" doesn't always translate into "careful" or "critical." It doesn't help that Halpern's response to accusations of Close's misogynistic behavior basically boils down to "But he loved Betty Thomas!!!" It's Halpern's account, and there are plenty of other testimonials about Del Close's genius elsewhere, but this portrait coming from a person who worked so close to him mars my impression of the man nevertheless.
Overall, the advice about improvisation itself is more coherent and interesting than Halpern's scattershot technique in Truth in Comedy: The Manual for Improvisation, but it's still overly reliant on cheerful platitudes. Particularly irksome is a chapter devoted to women in improv, which doesn't begin to consider that complaints of widespread and longstanding marginalization of women in the field just might have a basis in reality. No, it's "Get out there are do your best, gals! Trust your scene partners! It's nothing personal!"
The proof is in the pudding, and so many people who studied under Halpern and Close do downright inspirational work. Whatever they did so very, very right hardly translates to the page at all.
December 23, 2017
Much like Halpern's much more well known work "Truth In Comedy", this is a lesson in improv comedy that is kind of also a series of anecdotes about how great her theater is and all the celebrities she's met and coached.
While the depth and utility of the lessons is a little less because of this, her insights into improv and the kind of performer you need to be to make the stuff successful, it still rings true, even if it feels sort of abbreviated and rushed.
The photo album of Halpern hanging out with famous people, and the mini-biography of Del Close at the end didn't feel as ultimately useful, as it was too rushed to really be a strong biography, and it didn't seem to tie in with the improv tips that came earlier.
All in all a solid if somewhat forgettable book, but there is a certain charm with a book that is this short and breezy to read. Probably a worthwhile endeavor for any improv nerd, take of it what you will.
While the depth and utility of the lessons is a little less because of this, her insights into improv and the kind of performer you need to be to make the stuff successful, it still rings true, even if it feels sort of abbreviated and rushed.
The photo album of Halpern hanging out with famous people, and the mini-biography of Del Close at the end didn't feel as ultimately useful, as it was too rushed to really be a strong biography, and it didn't seem to tie in with the improv tips that came earlier.
All in all a solid if somewhat forgettable book, but there is a certain charm with a book that is this short and breezy to read. Probably a worthwhile endeavor for any improv nerd, take of it what you will.
October 28, 2007
This is halpern's latest book on long form improv. I think it's more helpful than Truth in Comedy. It delves a little deeper into technique. there's even a chapter on women and people of color, and women of color who improv. It's a pretty basic overview, but at least it's something in a field that tends not to address politics as it pertains to the actions and behaviors of its own. (was that unclear? I'm trying to say that comedians can make tons of jokes about politics, but the second you start to ask about how they treat women, especially how they treat women during the actual act of comedy, and suddenly it's not funny, and it's definitely to serious to be relevant.) That's a very myopic commentary on a book that does a solid job of what it sets out to do... explain long form and provide a handbook for improvisers.
March 1, 2011
The book is very short on improv tips, though not completely lacking in insight. However, the real value of this book is in the included DVD and in Charna's recollections about Del Close.
The DVD included with this book includes two full long-form performance recordings, along with some shorter clips and interviews. The full performances by The Reckoning and Beer Shark Mice are very well done and very well captured. There's a lot to be learned from these recordings.
The latter half of the book is simply storytelling time with Charna, as she recounts her time with Del Close from their meeting to his death. This is not particularly useful for developing improv skills, but should be interesting for any improviser with a little curiosity about the history of improv.
The DVD included with this book includes two full long-form performance recordings, along with some shorter clips and interviews. The full performances by The Reckoning and Beer Shark Mice are very well done and very well captured. There's a lot to be learned from these recordings.
The latter half of the book is simply storytelling time with Charna, as she recounts her time with Del Close from their meeting to his death. This is not particularly useful for developing improv skills, but should be interesting for any improviser with a little curiosity about the history of improv.
August 29, 2014
Although a short read I found it helpful without being "mystical". There are some solid tips and insights from Charna and contributors. I liked the stories about Del and the DVD is a bonus. Although the improv is top notch on the DVD it reaffirms to me that it is best experienced live. There is also a consistent tone of celebration and joyfulness when doing improv which I liked. Sometimes hearing things you know said even slightly different than you've heard before makes a difference. I would recommend this book to practicing experienced improvisers and anyone who wants to get a glimpse at IO history. I'm going to re-read Truth In Comedy next.
April 24, 2010
Halpern's writing was so bad and self-aggrandizing it obscured the awesome improv principles at the core of the book. (Agreement, support, and intelligence.) The DVD that comes with it is AMAZING though. Just to see the live performances of what is possibly the most magical, risky, and real art form, by talented and brave actors and comedians captured on film was unbelievable. The sense of possibility and joy is astounding and I immediatly called Caitlin to try to talk about how cool it is. Read the first book, but watch the DVD from this book.
December 23, 2012
Not as strong on tips as Truth In Comedy, but some good reminders to always remember on stage. The final third is nice to see insight on Charna's relationship with Del, but if you've read Guru you've heard many of the stories in far more detail. I have not watched the DVD yet but am excited for that.
March 3, 2008
Yes, a lot of the basic rules are set up just like in Truth in Comedy, but there are a lot of great personal stories and more specific examples that more than make up for the redundancy. I just wish it was about four times longer.
November 28, 2011
This book was pretty disappointing. It's aimed at advanced improvisers, but I didn't find anything in the book that I hadn't learned years ago. The DVD is great, though, and worth the $11 I paid at the Housingworks Bookstore.
December 20, 2014
Great insight from a master, particularly into Harold. The accompanying DVD adds a nice visualization of the points, too, though a more thorough breakdown would be more beneficial. Still, plenty of one-line thoughts to carry.
January 11, 2011
Ugh. Only remotely of value due to the passages not written by Halpern.
October 10, 2007
I do this stuff. I likes it.
January 16, 2008
Fun for advanced improv know-it-alls that want to grow more, and see her examples of good work on the DVD that's included in the book.
January 26, 2009
The DVD really helps bring this follow-up to Truth in Comedy up to my expectations.
October 12, 2011
interesting stuff about Del
January 27, 2013
This book didn't know what on Earth it wanted to be... aside from a vanity project for Ms. Halpern...
August 5, 2013
Definitely enjoyed reading the book
February 15, 2016
Ugh...listening to Charna Halpern go on and on (again!) about how awesome Chicago improv is grating.
April 14, 2011
Wasn't really enough material for a second book, but had a few good bits. The DVD carries it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews