[sikeodelic]

Hey Guys,

Has anyone had experience with taking improv classes? If so, has it helped you in any way? I remember style recommending this a while back.

[Basil Ransom]

Yes, I have. I wrote earlier on it: The thing with improv is... it sucks. Most of the people who do it are terrible. I took a course in it, and I consider myself pretty funny in conversation, and I too was terrible. Aside from Whose Line Is It Anyway, it's not something many people watch consistently. Because it sucks. IMO, people who like and practice improv are probably weird, and more annoying than funny. Ironically enough, the woman who taught my class was the least funny person in the course. She did look like an aged ex-hottie, so it's not so surprising.

A lot of the techniques in improvisational comedy are a little too out there to use in conversation with girls. Plus, I have a fairly dry, verbal sense of humor, and improv makes me feel like a fag because it's so 'quirky' and off the wall.

It's worth a shot if it's not too much trouble, as it's better than nothing. Just I personally didn't enjoy it much.

If there were a class on comedy *roasting* though, I'd take it in a second. Or on heckling hecklers - I love it when comedians pick on audience members.

[Tuthmosis]

Approaching lots of girls = Improv classes

[Tuthmosis]

(03-29-2012 01:19 AM)basilransom Wrote:  

If there were a class on comedy *roasting* though, I'd take it in a second. Or on heckling hecklers - I love it when comedians pick on audience members.

Thing is, you can't "teach" that. I grew up in a situation where I was being roasted and roasting on others all day, everyday. I grew up like that. You learn to be super observant, think on your feet, how to take on more than one opponent, and how to present material in a way that wins over your audience. That shit takes countless hours in real-life, your-pride-and-honor-is-on-the-line scenarios.

That training probably did more for my game than anything else.

[wolf]

(03-29-2012 01:27 AM)Tuthmosis Wrote:  

(03-29-2012 01:19 AM)basilransom Wrote:  

If there were a class on comedy *roasting* though, I'd take it in a second. Or on heckling hecklers - I love it when comedians pick on audience members.

Thing is, you can't "teach" that. I grew up in a situation where I was being roasted and roasting on others all day, everyday. I grew up like that. You learn to be super observant, think on your feet, how to take on more than one opponent, and how to present material in a way that wins over your audience. That shit takes countless hours in real-life, your-pride-and-honor-is-on-the-line scenarios.

That training probably did more for my game than anything else.

I learned that if you roast other people constantly they will roast you back. It's a vicious circle. This will also improve self esteem since some things will seem like insults.

I'd stay away from people that can't take a joke and only hurl insults.

[beta_plus]

I have to respectfully disagree with the responses here. I have found improv to be incredibly helpful. If you take the classes seriously, you learn to listen to your scene partners and to pay very close attention.

Assuming she's just testing you for flirting purposes and not just being a bitch and shit testing you:

flirting is banter
banter is an improv game

2 or 3 good classes in improv can improve your game significantly.

[Stitch]

I'm with beta_plus here. I found improv classes to be very useful in getting the idea of things like "agree and amplify" (in a different context than usually considered here) and even rambling and such; you're forced to pick up on cues from your fellow performers and run with them, which is exactly what you're doing when meeting new people. Plus putting on a show for friends and family was a ton of fun, albeit embarassing. BUT, not only did it improve some skills, I had a few attractive women approach me afterwards, plus wound up dating one of the women in the class. Overall a great experience and I'd do it again.

[Yams]

Funny that this topic has come up since I just had my first improv class last week. My first impression is that it helps you get out of your own head, meaning we all tend to over think things and its better sometimes to just say "fuck it" and go with flow. Many times I am my own worst cockblocker.

Not sure if it will help in improving your wit but it will definitely take you out of your comfort zone which will improve your confidence level in the long run. I'm not expecting immediate gains but the experience is very valuable for inner game.

[DareP]

(03-29-2012 01:23 AM)Tuthmosis Wrote:  

Approaching lots of girls = Improv classes

I agree with that statement.

I have a question for you: How often are you going out? IMO Most people who think of taking improv classes are doing it instead of approaching. They use it as a way to feel like they're making progress and getting more spontaneous, without actually putting their ego on the line.

The best way to get spontaneous with girls is to just approach a lot of them. Two things will happen:

1) You'll get blown out a lot. At first it'll hurt, but gradually you'll stop caring. Once you stop caring about getting blown out as much, then you'll be much more comfortable letting words spew forth from your mouth, as you really just don't care if you get blown out.

2) You'll get positive reactions. That'll reinforce your confidence and again, allow you to be more spontaneous.

So, IMO, don't take an improve class. Go out 4-5 nights a week for a couple months. Meet a ton of girls. Then at the end of 2 months, if you still feel like improv is what you need, then take the class.

[assman]

I took a 1 day improv class designed for guys wanting to pickup. I agree with Yams that it does help you get out of your own mind, so it's probably more useful for guys that are normally introverted. Also, for the very logical, structured thinking Spock types, it opens up another mode of thought, which is more closely related to how females think, which helps.

[20Nation]

I think improv translates a lot to entertainer game and comes off as try hard. Guys like that never get girls, they make them laugh, but thats as far as it usually goes.