a new way of acting (for me at least)

I was not sure what to expect when we started this Commedia section. I had certain ideas of what I believed it was. Like Matt, I believed that they were set characters. I did not realize that we created the background stories and identities of Capitano or Arlecchino. This plus the physicality that goes with Commedia has made this process incredible. When running as Arlecchino, I went home and felt as though I spent an hour at the gym. I couldn't believe that my legs hurt in the morning.

Then there are the masks. I notice that when i put one on, I have to pay closer attention to the position of my face and the ways that I move it. I do think though that the masks add a lot more emotion than I could have ever imagined. The fact that I am not able to use my facial features to show the emotion demands of me to show it in my body which I find very different.

Trying to Be Funny

You often hear that a good comedic actor shouldn't try to be funny. There's some truth to this, but how can you learn comedy if you never try to be funny? In fact, that's the very problem with this sentiment, it implies that comedy isn't a skill to be learned, but an innate talent that comes from birth. It locks comedy away in a safe where only a chosen few get the combination.

It may help to separate the work of the actor from the character. I'll agree that the character rarely tries to be funny. (although even that is up for debate in commedia) Just like realistic drama, the comic character has wants/desires and goes about the story trying to fulfill those wants/desires. Actions either are or aren't funny largely based on things outside the control of the character. They are who they are and do what they do, and the audience will judge whether or not they are funny.

The comic ACTOR, however, better try to be funny. Provoking laughter is a skill, although most of us develop the skill without noticing. Now that I'm a father I've watched my daughter tune into what will make me laugh and during her daily "play" she'll go back to what she knows works for her audience as well as catalog new responses. She's using the rehearsal of her daily life to develop her comedic skills. As we've all gone from child to adult, we've all, to varying degrees, developed an instinct as to what makes our "audience" laugh.

Actors need to use rehearsal and performance time as a constant experiment into what makes their audience laugh. Don't think that some people just are funny while some aren't. Pay attention to what makes your partner laugh, what makes the other students laugh, what makes the professor laugh. Just as importantly, pay attention to what doesn't get a laugh when you expected it to. Developing as a comedic actor takes time and will come with a lot of failure. Keep what works, refine what doesn't and never stop paying attention to the audience.

I can't think of a clever title

I'm not gonna lie, when we first starting doing the exercises in class, it felt a little akward. Doing the walking, running, looking around, and even the stopping did prove harder than first imagined, but also made me feel weird. Weird in a way that I was acting foolish, and it was a little embarrassing. But, as soon as I put on the mask, I felt alright acting 'stupid'. It almost felt like if nobody knew who I was, then it didn't matter. The crazier I got, the funnier it was. Along with that, There really are so many different expressions you can get with the mouth and head movement alone. I like it. It's fun.

first impressions

I'll agree with you about the difficulty level marcus. I had no idea it would be as demanding as it is both physically and mentally. The skill it takes to perform comedia leads me to wonder why it hasn't had more of a following in the states. I can only imagine what it looks like when done professionally but i'd assume it absurdly entertaining. Not only must the actor keep the physical and mental characteristics in mind but he/she must be quick witted enough to produce entertaining material. But in the long run, this creative freedom can only become increasingly fun for the actors and spectators. For the actor, the determination to get as mentally close to that character as possible would help to ease the improvisational pressure but also lend to more entertaining options for them to play with. Ultimately, it is the actors character and they would know them best. For the audience, the knowledge that it is all on the spot improve would make the funny moments all the more hilarious. Audiences want to be impressed by wit and quick thinking.

The stock characters put me off from comedia initially but that was only until i found that they were molds for characters rather than the specific character themselves. The character types makes it much more exciting to be able to compare Capitanos or Pantelones and also have multiple of one character type in the show. From the first class i've realized how versital a tool comedia really is. I'm looking forward to being introduced to more characters.

Alright Let's get this thing Started...

Firstly I am curious...is there anyone familiar with this system? I think we can create our own names and then follow and comment on these blogs. This way we will know who is actually sending the blogs and things...any thoughts?

Now about Commedia and about the class in general. I don't know about everyone else but I was very surprised at the athletic ability it takes to perform Commedia. It was more difficult than any kind of acting I have worked on in the past because the actor does so much of the work. There aren't really any lines that we are supposed to say or places to move, it is all made up. On top of that, you have to be recognized as Capitano or whoever, so the actor has to constantly be thinking about the actions, walks, and speech typical of that character. I myself am looking forward to this challenge. Was anyone else surprised by the difficulty level? Did you find it difficult at all? What were your initial thoughts?

I will have more posts later, perhaps about specific characters or events but I thought this would start it well

---marcus