[youtube 8LbXjJ4OkBA nolink]
So the warm-up works like this: everyone stands in a circle except one in the middle. That person approaches someone in the outer circle and demands “Give me back my son!” with complete dramatic commitment — inspired by Mel Gibson’s over-dramatic delivery in the movie Ransom — trying to get the outer circle person to laugh. It’s to practice emotional commitment and also making your teammates laugh — two valuable skills.
Pete Bosniak brought that into Monkeydick one day (apparently he and his Philly crowd would do this for fun or something), and I started teaching it to groups I was coaching. Anyway, Chris Gethard (he’s wearing the blue ‘Smurfs’ t-shirt) made the above montage — made all the more awesome as it is presented without any real explanation. It’s hilarious and captures the weird fun of the warm-up perfectly. Sue Galloway (number 2) is the only person who I’ve seen do this and never, ever break.
I called Pete to let him know his warm-up was becoming legendary. He said that was “dope” or something (See, Pete is a DJ), but he said that his Philly friends have added a twist where the person is allowed to respond “Not Without My Daughter!” a la Sally Field. A funny idea but I had a class try that and it ruins the drama somehow. Sorry Pete!
On my iTunes now:
Child Star by The Unicorns from "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?"
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Jul 31st, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I did this warm up in my college shortform group only it was using lines from the Mod Squad (TV show). I forgot what the first person said but the response was “Solid.”
I don’t do improv.
Jul 31st, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Hey Will,
I linked this last week and your name, sir, is very much mentioned at the top: http://fasthugs.typepad.com/blog/2007/07/funny-sons-of-b.html
Also, when Sissy Spacek throws down a dish and screams “EVERYTHING!” in Into The Bedroom, I die and float to heaven. It’s like a mini-GMBMS.
Aug 1st, 2007 at 9:33 am
Give me back my cats.
Aug 1st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
PS: My favorite part is the silent middle-aged woman… that’s hilarious!
Aug 2nd, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Pocket full of awesome-sauce.