IMPROV TRAINING PROGRAM
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CLASS CURRICULUM
Level 1
Introduction to long-form improv & Harold. This level introduces the basics of agreement, making strong choices, supporting your partner, exploring pattern, heightening, and intro to Harold: iO’s signature long-form based on a single suggestion.
Level 2
Scenework. Extensive work in two-person improvised scenes, Level 2 sharpens listening skills, emotional choices and investment in the dynamics of a scene, such as status and “game”. Introduction to editing techniques, tag-outs, walk-ons, and further work with Harold.
Level 3
Who & Where: Characters & Environment. Focuses on advanced character work and exploring environment, using exercises and games designed to take the improviser out of his/her head and into the character and the world onstage. Object work, physical investment in character choices, wants & objectives, and advanced listening exercises provide the foundation for Level 3.
Level 4
The Harold. Level 4 applies the skills from Levels 1-3 to iO’s signature piece, The Harold. The class focuses on the structure of Harold, including openings, group games, and scenes. Advanced pattern work, group work, editing, and scenework are used to explore the challenges and magic of The Harold. Students have class shows in addition to weekly class sessions. Shows are twice monthly on Sunday nights.
Level 5
Advanced Harold & Longforms. Continues exploration of Harold and introduces other longforms, including Armando, The Deconstruction, The Improvised Movie, and others. Elements from other forms are applied to Harold, strong emphasis is placed on creating full longform pieces. Level 5 students have shows twice monthly on Sunday nights.
Level 5b
Advanced Scene and Form Study. The goal of this level is to give the player a template with which they can further analyze their own work as well as the work of others. To accomplish this we will be looking at: How to identify and play three primary scene types. Scenes in relationship to the piece they are in. Deconstructing scenes to identify five distinct types of information that can be played with and how to play with them.
Level 6
Performance Level. The goal of Level 6 is to prepare students for their Grad Show run, which begins after the completion of Level 6. Each class session focuses on developing the class into an ensemble through advanced group work and further exploration of The Harold and other forms and building on the skills and concepts introduced in levels 1-5. Upon completion of Level 6, students begin their Grad Show run, eight weekly shows on Sunday nights.
Call 323.962.7560 for more info.
For questions regarding classes, please email LAclasses@ioimprov.com
iO WEST WRITING PROGRAM
Now in its sixth year, the IO Writing Program has become an intrinsic part of the training center. The Writing Program is open to both writers and performers looking to develop their skills, portfolio, and projects. All our writing classes are taught by working professional writers and often feature guest speakers from studios, show writing staffs, and literary agencies. The goal of iO West’s Writing Program is to teach students both the art and science of comedy writing, provide and environment where they develop and write original material, and help them get working as writers!
LEVEL ONE: Structure
Introduction to the comic structure. This class breaks down and examines the mechanics of comedy. Comic structure, premise, character, styles, and genre are simplified and explained. This class is perfect for the novice or for experienced writers seeking a return to the basics. Includes in class and homework writing assignments, as well as lecture and guest speakers.
“What I got out of this was a strong grasp of the fundamentals. This is the basics of what you need to know to write comedy”
- Tim Gibbons producer HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Taught by: Doug Karo
Cost (per class) is $325 plus a $10.00 Processing Charge.
LEVEL TWO: Writing for Television
Level two focuses on sketch comedy in a live performance setting. Students learn to write for the specific voice of a show, whether it be Madtv or Saturday Night Live. Sketch sub-genre’s explored include: Character Vs. Premise driven material, musical theater, black outs, writing for specific performers, satire vs. parody, video writing and more. Material developed in the class is showcased in a performance at the end of the class.
Students enrolled in Level 2 are eligible to write for the Mainstage Sketch show.
Cost (per class) is $300 plus a $10.00 Processing Charge.
Completion of Writing 1 or instructor’s permission
is required.
PILOT WRITING
Learn the essential tools for creating an original TV pilot in just 8 weeks. In-class exercises and at-home assignments supplement teaching by working writers and industry professionals, culminating in staged readings of students’ original work. Learn what you need to know about writing, pitching, and selling your pilot!
Cost (per class) is $325 plus a $10.00 Processing Charge.
TALK SHOW WRITING
This 8 week workshop includes everything students need to create a talk show oriented writing portfolio: two-liners, topical joke writing, commentary monologues, character monologues, desk pieces, remote segments, audience interaction, and more. Students leave the course with a standard industry talk show portfolio suitable for submission to agents, producers, and network executives.
Cost (per class) is $325 plus a $10.00 Processing Charge.
SITCOM WRITING
Cost (per class) is $325 plus a $10.00 Processing Charge.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Saturday Night Live Portfolio
Students create a state-of-the-art portfolio for submission to “Saturday Night Live,” including a cold opening, several monologues, a complete Weekend Update, several digital shorts, film and TV parody sketches, commercial parodies, existing character sketches, as well as the more abstract premises of relationship scenes, teaching scenes, and conceptual scenes. Over the course of eight weeks, the student’s portfolio is written and rewritten with an emphasis on better vs. best—with a live performance of the student’s material available. The eighth and final week is completely devoted to the mechanics of marketing.
Cost (per class) is $325 plus a $10.00 Processing Charge.
Call 323.962.7560 for more info.
For questions regarding classes, please email LAclasses@ioimprov.com.*