Long form improvisation and American comedy : the Harold / Matt Fotis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fotis, Matt, 1979- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Improvisation (Acting).

Comedy.

Stand-up comedy.

Close, Del, 1934-1999.

Close, Del.

Physical Description:

218 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Summary:

Comedy has undergone a seismic shift over the past quarter century: from star powered stand-up comics to an ensemble-fueled style marked by support, trust, and collaborative creativity. This shift is mainly due to the long form improvisational theatre structure known as the Harold. The form's philosophies serve as the bedrock for the majority of the most significant comedic performers, writers, and directors of the past quarter-century who are transforming the way performers and audiences make, view, and interpret comedy. This book examines the development of the Harold and the ways in which it has helped transform American comedy, examining the tensions and evolutions that led to the Harold's creation at ImprovOlympic (now iO) and following it through its use in contemporary comedic filmmaking. Book jacket.

Contents:

Introduction

Before the Harold: how did we get here?

The training wheels Harold

The flexible Harold

Reactions, transformations & combinations

Improv beyond the theatre: the Harold's influence on television & film.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781137376572

1137376570

OCLC:

858914335