Video Games and Visual Cues

Playing video games will help you become a better improviser!

Wait! Before you say, "that's preposterous," and go watch cute kitten videos, hear me out. The kittens will always be there! Well, so will this blog, but still. Just hold on. I promise this will make sense! And, if it doesn't, you can sit back smugly in your chair and think, "I knew his ideas wouldn't make sense. I just knew it!" Everyone likes being right! See. If you stay, and learn, you made the right choice. And, if you stay, and don't learn, you'll feel vindicated. You win either way.

I recently completed Dishonored on Xbox. It's an incredible game, for a number of reasons, not least of which is how much information it silently communicates. Dishonored is all about surviving a unique world. You're a "dishonored" guard, who happens to be a pretty incredible assassin. You're out for revenge. And.......

'Start!"

That's all you have to go on. Better escape the jail cell, and do it quietly. How do you do that quietly?

You crouch. You're told how to crouch. Get used to crouching, because you're sneaking around a lot in this game. The guards never know where you are, and you want to keep it that way.

When you're playing from a first person perspective, however, going from standing to crouching is a minor perspective change. A few inches really. In the heart of a battle, and you're trying to slip out quietly, do you remember if you're already down? Am I standing? It's so hard to tell!

Well, it would be hard to tell...but the design team are silent geniuses. They knew the player needed some visual clues. The player needs a height hint. So they decided to change the blade. When you're walking around upright, you hold the blade upright and when you're down low, the knife is folded back, along your arm. You're ready to strike, and you're educated! You know you can duck out of the room unnoticed because you have a clear visual indication you're crouching.

It's a visual cue that saves you a lot of frustrating guesswork.

Do you leave your improv audience to frustrating guesswork? You might. We all might. Visual cues are invaluable in a show.

When we're creating an improvised world at our Rocklin theater, the audience is much like a gamer, thrust into a unique situation. Like a game designer, we, the players better give the audience some information. It doesn't have to be verbal. We don't have to turn to an audience and tell them, "here's the table, and the family photo that makes me cry is sitting right here. On the table." It can be nonverbal cues. Pick up the photo, and tear up. Put it down, and leave the room. When you enter the room again, cross over to the table, pick something up and begin to cry, the audience will assume it's the picture again. The audience is smart, and is looking for patterns. X means Y. Reinforce it. Play with it. Help the audience. It'll probably help you in the scene too.

David Blue Garrison Interview

This week, TRUE STORY is lucky to have David Blue Garrison as our monologist. David is a writer, producer, director, and actor. As Founding Director for The Alternative Arts Collective (TAAC), and creator of Midtown Blue, he's a busy guy. Very busy.

He's currently directing Steel Magnolias, which premieres September 4th, at Blacktop Comedy! September 4th happens to be TAAC's five year anniversary too! Over the past 5 years TAAC has staged Hamlet, MacBeth, Bug, Quills, Angels in America, and the acclaimed Midsummer Nightmare series, and so many more. I first became aware of TAAC when I saw their production of Equus in Roseville.

He's a thoughtful artist, who creates exquisite productions. He sat down to answer a few questions. Enjoy, and come meet David in person this Saturday at TRUE STORY, 8:30pm, at Blacktop Comedy in Rocklin

*Who Inspires You? Who is Your Role Model?

Annie Leibovitz is a role model for me. Annie is one of those visual artists that has found her tone and voice in photography to a point where she seems effortless on set. I know in reality she's working incredibly hard and using all that she has learned to execute her projects, but she's defined her style and I love that about her. 

David Bowie is another person that I really look up to. He's fearless in his execution of 'art' and doesn't seem to do it for the reviews, the fame or recognition. I aim to be the kind of artist that doesn't please all audiences, because If I did, it would mean I'm softening or curbing my style to please a general crowd and I wouldn't want to sacrifice creativity for ticket sales. So, he inspires me in that way. 

Oh and Stoic from the How To Train Your Dragon books/movies. My wallpaper on my phone says, "Be Stoic." 

* What do you enjoy most about your job? 

Which job? Ha! The thing I love the most about The Alternative Arts Collective is giving artists of varying styles and mediums an environment to create in. When actors or costumers are pumped about something they are doing with TAAC, it's gratifying. It's a real feeling of success and fulfillment to know that we can supply that space for people. 

The other thing I love about my 'job' is the reward of pleasing, inspiring, entertaining an audience with the honesty in our stories. Which is backed up by our expertise in lighting, sound, set design. It's a wonderful thing that people still talk about shows we did almost 5 years ago. 

* Do you ever get starstruck? 

Only when I see Paul or Betsaida at BlackTop Comedy.  Also... no. I mean, I'm a star myself... ;-)

* What role would you love to play/ be your dream role? 

I've been lucky. I think I've played all my dream roles. Some even twice. The Emcee in Cabaret, Prior in Angels In America, Fagin in Oliver. I'm more excited by original works now. Playing new characters and really discovering who they are for the first time is really cool. However, I REALLY REALLY want to play Hamlet. It's kind of a secret dream role of mine... which I just revealed... 

* What do you do when you’re not working? 

Sleeping. Thanks to TAAC's Executive Director, my schedule is pretty jam packed. She knows exactly what I'm doing and where I need to be for the next 6 months. And we're fortunate that we are so busy... but there really is little time for anything else. It's a good thing I love what we do! But yeah... sleeping. Big fan. 

* What work are you most proud of? 

There are some photographs I've done that I really love. 90% of it is how beautiful the subject is. I have some of those pieces hanging in my office. A couple of things I've directed that I'm totally proud of would be Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth, Our Town & The Visit. Those specifically in my mind really stand out for me as big accomplishments. And roles I've done that I feel very proud of would be Prior in Angels In America (both times), Noah in In Switch & Bud Frump in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. 

* Why have you succeeded in a field where so many others have struggled?

It's all about perseverance and hard work. I see people all the time saying, "I'm going to LA" or "I'm gonna open up a company" and very little do I see any of the necessary groundwork being laid before taking that plunge. People are so desperate for the title not the achievement. Many times those people don't last very long in either field; acting or producing. The other thing I see quite often is that when things get tough, people just give up. TAAC has been through 3 moves, a fire, losing staff, etc. And each time we asked ourselves if we were having fun, if what we were doing was important and desired by our community. So far the answer has been yes. So we knuckle down and get to work! Misplaced passion also gets in the way of what people actually want to do. You want to open a company? No you don't, you just want to act in shows you like. You want to go to LA and be in films? No... you just want to get laid. So I guess that's three answers. Not enough hard work, not sticking to it when things get tough and misplaced passion. 

Improvisers and Comedians and Actors

I am writing to let you know that THE BOOK OF MORMON will be coming to Sacramento to hold auditions February 8th and 9th by appointment only. We are looking to build our files for future replacements for all three companies (Broadway, 1st National Tour, Jumamosi Tour) for the roles of ARNOLD CUNNINGHAM, KEVIN PRICE, NABALUGI and ELDER MCKINLEY etc. (See role descriptions below.) We realize that the area has some fantastic musical and comedy talent, and even though we have some appointments already scheduled we want to make sure that we are not missing anyone, and felt that it is important to reach out to the local theatres, universities and improv groups to make sure no one is robbed of the opportunity to submit themselves for consideration.  We appreciate you passing this on to anyone you feel might be right.  Or if you have an email list, doing a blast to make actors aware.  I am also attaching this info as a PDF flyer if you would like to post it anywhere.  

Anyone interested in auditioning for any or all of these companies should submit a picture and resume and any additional materials to jrichcasting@gmail.com by 5PM Thursday, February 7th 2013.  Please make sure you put the City Name of the audition ('Sacramento' 'Roseville') in the subject line.  Due to the amount of emails we receive, we may not be able to respond to every submission.  Please note that submitting does not guarantee an appointment.  Both Equity and Non Equity should submit.

SHOW INFO:

Producer: Anne Garefino & Scott Rudin

Director: Trey Parker & Casey Nicholaw

Book, Music & Lyrics: Robert Lopez, Matt Stone & Trey Parker

Music Supervisor: Stephen Oremus

Choreographer: Casey Nicholaw

Sacramento Casting Director: Jeremy Rich

Casting Director: Carrie Gardner

ARNOLD CUNNINGHAM (Early 20's-Late 20's to play 18): Caucasian. Seeking a true character actor. Must be a physical contrast to the other good looking, All-American Mormons. Dweeby, dorky, nerdy, overweight, or all four combined. Arnold is a pathological liar but his heart is in the right place. He is a total screw-up but not for lack of trying, he always wants to do the right thing. Must be fantastic comedic actor who sings well. Tenor. We are also particularly interested in comics who sing.

KEVIN PRICE (Early 20’s-Late 20’s to play 18): Caucasian. All-American. Very handsome. Head of the class, always optimistic. Heroic Mormon. Must be a great comedic actor and a fantastic pop-rock high tenor to a B. Should be at least 5’10 or taller.

NABALUNGI (18- Late 20’s to play 20): Black African. Pretty. Takes the hardships of her village very seriously and wants to help her people find a better life. Must have great comic timing. Strong Alto. Belt to an E.

ELDER MCKINLEY (early 20’s to late 20’s to play 18): Caucasian. District leader of the Mormon missionaries in Uganda. All- American, wide-eyed and hopeful. Often struggles to cover his flamboyant tendencies and adhere to his Mormon morals. Must be a fantastic comedic actor and great singer. High Baritone who can pop out high Bb's for comedic effect.

[MAFALA HATIMBI] (40’s): Black African. Father of Nabalungi. Has come to accept the hardships in the village where they live but is a discerning community leader and tries to bring joy to their lives. Must be a great comedic actor and singer. Also interested in actors who sing.

PRICE’S DAD/MISSION PRESIDENT/VARIOUS ROLES) (40’s): Caucasian. All-American good looks and physique. Plays several parts from the perfect picture of a head of a Mormon household, to the stern missionary president, to Joseph Smith, so must have the ability to be transformative. Must be a great comedic actor and good singer. High Baritone to an Ab.

[GENERAL] (Late 20’s to Late 30’s): Black African. The general is a warlord in Uganda who is terrorizing the local villagers. A physically threatening and intimidating figure who is a great comedic actor and singer. Baritone to an F.

[FEMALE AFRICAN VILLAGERS] Late 20’s to late 30’s.  Black African. Seeking great comedic actresses with excellent singing voices.  Seeking Altos, Gospel Sopranos and Gospel Belters of all physical types.