The Comedy of Awkwardness
Last week I posted my video of my intentionally awkward Powerpoint presentation, “My Dog Cosmo.” My father in law wrote to me to say that he enjoyed it, and that it reminded him of a 1928 performance by humorist Robert Benchley, which was tantalizingly titled “The Treasurer’s Report.”
Watch the video of “The Treasurer’s Report,” below, and think of all the “comedy of awkward” in 2010, especially the comedy of the awkward nerd. And, of course, think back to Andy Kaufman, who made a career out of making you wonder what was real and what was an act. (more…)
Right Wing Dogs: Episode One
Today I did something I’ve been thinking about doing for a very long time.
But let me back up. As a comedian, I’ve pretty much stuck to improv up til now; no stand-up, no sketch comedy…just improv. Lately, though, ideas for sketches and other video projects have snuck into my imagination, unbidden. And as I try to get my bearings in the New York improv scene, a little voice inside has been urging me to put some of my ideas into action. “Why not scratch that itch?”, the voice asks; “Why not put yourself out there?”
Of course, the answer to “Why not?” is “What if?” – “what if” I can’t figure it out, “what if” it’s not funny.
…But of course, you never know the answer to “what if?”, until you stop thinking, and start doing.
…Which is what I did today. And so, without further ado, allow me to present Right Wing Dogs – an Amanda Hirsch production:
Most Awkward Powerpoint Ever?
Back in the spring of ’09, I was part of the lineup for Ignite DC, an event that gives speakers 5 minutes (and 20 Powerpoint slides) to talk about any topic under the sun (Ignite started in Seattle, and is now happening in cities across the globe). For months afterward, I emailed back and forth with the organizers, trying to get a video of my talk; they apologized for having technical difficulties with my presentation, and I watched as video for almost every other talk was posted. I gave up.
Then last night, I was searching for something on Google (I can’t remember what), and I discovered that a video of my talk had been posted. Huzzah!
So, at long last, I present the video of my talk, titled “My Dog Cosmo.” Note, when I took the stage, I pretended to be very shy. “I’m very nervous,” I said, “so bear with me.” Here’s what came next:
Related Links:
- Read comments from the audience that night
- Learn more about Ignite
Bad Writing Documentary
I love the story behind this film: Guy writes poetry. Time passes — guy quits drinking, gets his GED, starts writing again. Guy finds box of old poetry in mom’s basement and is horrified to find out that he isn’t the poetic genius he once thought himself to be. Guy decides to show his bad poetry to good writers, from David Sedaris to Margaret Atwood, and get their advice about what makes for good writing.
And so, I present the trailer for Bad Writing:
Bad Writing – Official Trailer from Morris Hill Pictures on Vimeo.
“Guy,” by the way, is Vernon Lott. The film is 100% self-financed, and he’s looking for a distributor.
Learn more about the project on Facebook.
Do Something Weird: Smile
Beginning improvisers tend to do negative scenes – scenes in which people are fighting, or just generally have a negative worldview. This impulse comes from fear – fear of expressing something positive and having people laugh at you. Admitting what we like makes us vulnerable. That’s why “coolness” tends to rest on the rejection of something; if you like something, the cool way to like it is to act blase.
Well, as anyone who knows me will attest, I am not cool, and so I am not ashamed to tout this short, feel-good movie, called “Validation,” which I found on the Urban Mindfulness website. It’s worth the 17 minutes it will take you to watch it:
