Event

Improv/Comedy Class

You can't do comedy if you are self-conscious about how you look. Imagine if Jim Carrey wanted to look handsome all the time on camera? You need to embrace your silly side. I will play some improv games, facial expression games, body movement games all designed to let students get out of their heads and embrace being goofy and ready for comedy.
Comedy acting is still acting. The strongest comedy comes from the same rules that dramatic ones do. Conflict, intention, obstacles, specific choices, and the life that happened before the scene being fully realized. I make sure the students aren't just "surface" acting but finding the emotional truth beneath each scene. When this is taken care of, the scene is fuller, therefore funnier.
I help "choreograph" a scene like a dance instructor does. What are the beats? What are they doing in each line (teasing, begging, cajoling, manipulating,etc.)? What does that mean to them?
Lastly, we make sure the students know what the writers intent is for the scene. What needs to be learned about the character? How does the story move forward? Where are the jokes (Set ups, punch-lines, awkward pauses, etc.)? All of this helps to fully understand the scene while not losing our truthful acting.
Then, like a dance piece, the actor gets out of head, "lets it go", and it all comes together and flows.

About the Instructor:

"Sean Whalen is a working actor, writer, and producer with over 25 years of experience in Hollywood. He has worked in literally every type of genre in entertainment: large studio movies, small independent films, comedy TV, dramatic TV, Soap Operas, children's shows, commercials, etc. Being involved in the business from all sides has given Sean a wealth of knowledge that he is excited to share with new actors trying to expand their knowledge so they can have a long career in show business.