Ｏｎｌｉｎｅ Ｐｒｅｍｉｕｍ VVIP+++ Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Walsh,Ian Roberts,Matt Besser

Comedy Council of Nicea (January 1, 2013)

Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Walsh,Ian Roberts,Matt Besser

Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Walsh,Ian Roberts,Matt Besser is First things first: Buy this book.If you perform / write sketch or improv, then this book is for you. I have read at least a dozen improv books. Prior to this the best book I had read on improv was Scene: From the Inside Out by Mich Napier. I love that book. This is book is easily as good if not better. They teach slightly different methods and approaches.This may sound silly, but the actual physical weight of the book was fantastic. The book is heavy and feels so good like it is packed with knowledge.The contents of the book are rock solid. There are exercises to practice. Reasons and explanations about what to do and why and HOW. The structure is clearly explained. SUCH a good book. I have read so many improv books I was skeptical that they would have much to add. They have much to add and do so in a clear and concise way. If I was starting improv and looking to buy a book, this would be my first.

Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Walsh,Ian Roberts,Matt Besser is As a beginner improviser at the Dallas Comedy House (DCH), having just finished Level 3, this manual has been a great companion along the way. First and foremost, this manual does a fantastic job of keeping a common language among improvisers. Every instructional school uses different variations on mechanics and techniques to describe long-form improv; UCB's manual helps to cement that epistemology and taxonomy so that it becomes second-nature. Secondarily, the manual provides useful exercises between concepts to help the reader/improviser put into practice those concepts.In my opinion, I really enjoy the almost-academic approach to improv the manual provides. It not only explains the "WHAT" but the "WHY", breaking it down into more granular, micro-concepts. But, that's not for everybody; it can get tedious and overwhelming.I would highly suggest, nay, mandate, that if you purchase this book, you should be taking improv classes. Alone, you'll find the UCB Manual invaluable at helping you understand the concepts and language of great long-form improv, and the many forms it can take. But it won't help in a real-time performance without having actually put these concepts into practice; it's akin to telling someone how to skydive and actually jumping out of a plane. If you expect to read this manual, show up at a Improv Jam night, and crush it, you're likely going to end up disappointed.

Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Walsh,Ian Roberts,Matt Besser is I've read many books about improv and all of them except this one at the very least try to make the book interesting to read. This is just the same as reading a dry textbook about computer programming. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't force you to buy it to take a class that already costs close to $500. If you're looking for a book about improv and not being forced to buy it for a class I recommend Will Hines's book, TJ and Dave's book, or taking classes at somewhere more affordable that offer the exact same training.

Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual by Matt Walsh,Ian Roberts,Matt Besser is Improv is something I've always been in awe of but have been too afraid to try because it seemed like you had to be a naturally hilarious super-genius to do it. I had read "Truth in Comedy" years ago (UCB's book is a billion times better) and knew the basic concept of "yes, and...," but it still seemed like there would be so much pressure to keep coming up with one original, funny thing after another on the spot. I didn't realize how many underlying rules existed to make things work. The idea of finding and then playing "The Game" of a scene makes so much sense. I guess I realized that there were patterns before, but now when I watch improv, I can see that everything really does have a structure and focus. Now that I've read this book and know basic terminology and concepts, it makes watching improv or sketch comedy even better because I can identify all these things. Because of the book, I have more of an appreciation for improv as an artform (does that sound lame?), and I'm finally ready to try it for myself. I start my first improv class next month in DC (god.. I wish I lived in NYC or LA), and even though I'm a generally anxious person when it comes to new things, I'm not all that nervous because I feel like this book has me very well prepared. I'm just ready to have fun now, and if I end up not completely sucking at it, I have a feeling that I will be returning to this book a lot. Besser, Ian, and Walsh-- THANK YOU!