--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Friday - 4/28/06 
Los Angeles, CA
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1st Movement

Today, or tonight rather. Actually it wasn't today, or tonight. Last Friday morning I woke up to the sound of the weekly dumping of the 6-8 dumpsters at the school across the street

The garbage truck is behind the wall, but you can see the dumpster above the wall being dumped, circled in the usual red. I have included a movie for the full effect. Simply click on the above image to view the movie, which is .AVI format. From now on, thanks to my digital camera's movie feature, and vast new server space, movies will now be included in the blog and always outlined with the blue border.

Last Friday evening I went to an Improv theatre named the "Hothouse Theatre" on Lankershim Ave., in the North Hollywood theatre district. I met the music director "Craig" who I contacted rather ironically through craigslist. I was to meet the music director at 7:45pm before a show at 8 to talk to him and see the show for a better understanding of what it was all about. I arrived early as usual to make sure I was there on time. With the unpredictable LA traffic I didn't want to take any chances. I'm glad I decided to give myself some extra time as I inevitably got lost. Not lost as much as I drove by the place as it was on the left, and not the right side of Lankershim as I'd been instructed.

So I drove

and I drove

and I drove

At least I got to go through a cool tunnel

twice...

...as I turned around about 3 miles in before
realizing I must have passed the theatre

The traffic was thick, but at least I was headed in the right direction.

I finally found it only belaying myself 10 minutes.
I arrived at 7:30 with plenty of time to spare.

It was a small storefront theatre which features improv with a small band set up to enhance the performances. They were advertising on craigslist for musicians to play in the band, and I was here answering the call. The cutie at the front desk informed me that Craig was out back and I went out to meet him. There was another guy there who plays keyboards and guitars, and while we were waiting for Craig we exchanged info and I told him about the VSO. The fellow auditioneer was pretty enthusiastic to hear more about the VSO project, and since I always jump on an opportunity to indulge in talking about it, I started telling him the history of the whole ordeal. He smiled throughout the tale and seemed very into it. I asked if he had done any similar theatre projects in the past and he said he had done a couple that had turned out pretty well. We eventually talked to Craig who was busy with the actors and actresses out back. My first question to him was whether the actors had any prior ideas or themes to work from. He advised me that the entire show was improv, including the music. The actors would come up with phrases, sayings, even looks and gestures during the introduction onstage to get the skits going. What I saw was more geared toward comedy and it was pretty entertaining. Craig said that the band totally improvises over the performance. Lending nuance and color to the unrehearsed skits similar to a vaudeville show.

The musicians work off each other as the actors do. The actors also work off the musicians, and vice versa. He told me that anyone in the band could do anything at any time, but I don't think he realizes what "anything" coming out of the VSO encompasses, which can cause quite the sonic adventure. The band played incidental music, and sound effects. Craig played the keyboard (synth) and guitar (straight electric) His chops were quite mighty. He was playing some killer blues and jazz runs. He tastefully interjected piano, string, organ riffs, and digital sound effects from his keyboard throughout the performance at key moments.

The other musicians were equally talented. A drummer, bass player,
guitar/trumpet player, and percussionist filled out this nights band ensemble.

I also asked him a few technical questions about gear, etc. He told me they use the house PA, and I could line-in to the system, which means I don't have to bring my own PA. I doubt I even need a monitor as it's a small 30 seat theatre. I'm glad I asked as I would have toted the Mackies out for nothing. I'm learning to ask details when conversing over potential gigs.

A man stepped up to introduce the performance, and did a short
monologue incorporating some audience feedback to draw the crowd in.

The performance began with the band starting a jazzy groove, and the actors
came out one by one and bowed, ending up in a group in center stage.

They started running around making faces at each
other, slinking back and forth around the stage.

I didn't know quite what to make of it at first, or
afterwards for that matter, but it was very intriguing.

Featured above is a movie clip of some of the introduction recorded on my digital camera. More movies are located below among the regular images. Smaller pictures containing the signature blue border are thumbnail images which can be clicked on to play the movie file. Movie files are in .AVI format, and average 4mb.

At one point during their introductory milling about they happened
onto the subject of dogs, and the show was off and running...

During the dog sketch another sketch was brewing
over to the side about a man just having a new baby

As he was a man, the sketch eventually produced jokes about him "having a baby", and other aspects of parenthood, The improvised jokes were were quite witty at times.

The way they drifted from one theme to another reminded me of jazz music. The actors worked off one another winding down an unknown path in hopes of bearing fruit, or children, if you were the hairy actor Brandon who portrayed the ever evolving "mother". Let me just sidetrack for a moment and show you a movie clip below of my makeshift attempt to remember the names of the contacts I had made that night.

Making contacts is very important obviously, especially in this game. Remembering names is key to making a good impression, and starting the collaboration process out right. I will bring my proper voice recorder in the future to record names, or the little notebook ACF was thoughtful enough to include with the power inverter he recently shipped to me. With the addition of the tiny notebook, I now have too much gear to fit entirely into my truck, so thanks a lot ACF.

Speaking of ACF, or any of you other technical wizards/total geeks reading
I've been having a problem with my huge array of wall-wart power adapters

They fall out of the Monster power center's A/C outlets every time I move my rig, leaving me to unscrew the face plate to plug them back in each time. I was thinking of using that expandable insulation foam spray to encase the things in there for life, but this isn't very convenient if I need to access the plugs for any reason. I was also thinking of using regular (removable) foam inserts somehow strapped in using bungee cords or another means. Zen suggested I use the short three prong extension cords I already use in my rig to move them to a place I can secure them properly. That has been the best suggestion yet. I am open to other suggestions on possible fixes, but will probably use Zen's idea and then tell everyone it was my idea. Another note- I have planned to re-implement the different text colors for different blog themes. From now on, technical aspects and discussions will be in this lovely light blue color.

Back to the theatre show.

Two actresses played a couple falling in love.

Listen to the accompanying music and how it accentuates the scene perfectly. Craig ObViouSly has spent some time doing this, but I didn't think to ask him how long he'd been at doing the improv theatre gigs.

This movie I erroneously shot sideways,
hoping for a better angle between the crowd.

I took a few more before I remembered
that you can't do that when taking movies

duh

The show was very inspiring to me. Thank you craigslist (and Craig) I could see the potential that VSO could bring to improv shows. With my vast array of attainable musical feels, and the near unlimited library of sound effects, the VSO system lends itself quite well to this avenue. I plan to pan the surrounding area, hand out some cards and make some connections at the many other small theatre's in North Hollywood. More and more I'm thinking that other artistic mediums besides music are good spots to launch the VSO. The art gallery, Knightsbridge theatre, and now this theatre, are artistic ventures in which music isn't the main focus, but can be included, and is sometimes an integral part of the overall atmosphere of the venue or performance. Craig said to call him early the following week to arrange a rehearsal. The musician who played trumpet as well told me that he had answered the same ad a week prior and was already performing so I hope to get back there with the full VSO and see what happens.

I turned right out of the Hothouse with high
hopes for this new application of the VSO

Then I turned around abruptly as I realized
that my truck was parked to the left.

duh

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Lessons Learned

1) Improvisation does have a firm place in the entertainment industry.

2) Bring a voice recorder or notebook for contacts...
or maybe a palm pilot...?

3) Ask many questions, details are important.

4) Always check ye Mapquest for a second opinion

 

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War - "Lost Due to Incompetence"

Instrumental

I've chosen this song for the day not only because I'm always getting lost due to incompetence, but more because of it's highly righteous groove.

Now changing from a code 3 to a code 347...

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