The 'Harold', an innovative improvisational tool, helped many actors on the road to TV and film stardom, including George Wendt (Norm on Cheers). Now it is described fully in this new book for would-be actors and comics. The 'Harold' is a form of competitive improv involving 6 or 7 players. They take a theme suggestion from the audience and 'free associate' on the theme into a series of rapid-fire one-liners that build into totally unpredictable skits with hilarious results. The 'Harold' is a fun way to 'loosen up' and learn to think quickly, build continuity, develop characterisations and sharpen humour.
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Amazon.com Review
Who would have ever thought that learning the finer points of improvisation could be such fun? The "Harold," an innovative improvisational tool, helped Saturday Night Live's Mike Myers and Chris Farley, George Wendt (Norm on "Cheers") and many other actors on the road to TV and film stardom. Now it is described fully in this new book for the benefit of other would-be actors and comics. The "Harold" is a form of competitive improv involving six or seven players. They take a theme suggestion from the audience and free-associate on the theme, creating a series of rapid-fire one-liners that build into totally unpredictable skits with hilarious results. The teams compete with scoring based on applause. The "Harold" is a fun way to "loosen up" and learn to think quickly, build continuity, develop characterizations and sharpen humor.
From Booklist
The brain wave of three improv gurus, this book is a complete guide to improvisation for both novice and professional actors and comics. An outgrowth of the successful curriculum initiated by two of the authors at the ImprovOlympic, it describes improvisational tools and techniques, from the "Pattern Game" and "The Hot Spot" to the innovative and sophisticated "Harold." Far from an ordinary how-to handbook, this clearly composed authority on comedic improvisation stresses intuitive thinking, listening skills, continuity, characterization, and, most important, teamwork. Numerous testimonials from reputed actors strengthen the text's credibility, already secured by the expertise of its authorship. Sample scenes and games take hilarious twists while illustrating the inevitability of connections and the importance of justification among team members. The authors' primary focus is the achievement of the group mind, and the book's chapter construction necessarily culminates with that creative misnomer known as the Harold. The manual is flexibly designed to allow for easy performance in both acting classes and professional settings and will prove a valuable reference source to actors and directors alike. Kathleen Chrysler
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
So frankly, most acting books, or books that try to tell you how to "do" art make me want to hit myself over the head, repeatedly. The first half of this book is no different.
It spends a lot of time initially setting ideas up, and talking about what a great guy Del Close was (which he was, but still, it gets to be a bit much). But it all starts to pay off in the second half, when we get into the specifics of the Harold.
Harold is a form of improv unlike any that I've ever seen and participated in, and not to be glib, but it takes improv to the level of art. This book clearly sets out exactly how to perform the Harold: what the idea behind it was; how to interact with your teammates on stage; and how to put together the final product. It's no substitute for actually getting up and doing it, but it's not meant to be.
The book is straightforward, easy to read, and pretty short. Its style is that of an elaborated outline, which makes it simple to follow, as well as to check back for relevant parts when you need them in rehearsal or class.
Truth in Comedy is of course a must have for anyone taking or thinking about taking improv classes. For everyone else, it's a quick read that might make you think differently about improv as an art form. Also, it's pretty funny. Yeah, that too.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To be honest, I don't know why I wanted this book. I had been spending a lot of time at ImprovOlympic and was even thinking about taking classes there, but I feared my wit wasn't up to snuff. Maybe I thought the book was a surrogate method of learning.
What I discovered is the book was a wonderful manual not only to 'how to improvise' but 'how to brainstorm', 'how to work in groups', and 'how to lead.' Little things like, never deny the reality being created and always add something, the 'Yes, and...' of the book, could be applied to many crisis management situations. Never debate what has been stated, always move forward.
Where is the comedy? That was something I was amazed to learn from this book. Don't worry about it. Sometimes people won't laugh, what is important is what is being created right there at that moment on the stage with the other actors.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Lee Mueller
Format:Paperback
This is a great primer for anyone interested in improv. I had been in a few sketch/improv groups and the general rule was to always go for the cheap laugh. As far as "rules" we really didn't have any or knew that any existed. After finding and reading Charna's book, our little minds were blown.
There were rules after all, such as "never deny" your fellow actor, no matter what subject or direction they throw at you. Sticking to the 'truth' is much funnier than going for the cheap laugh. Using the "Harold" made you grow in leaps and bounds in terms of your own creative thinking as well as learning how your fellow performers tended to think.
We were all so blown away by this book that we invited Charna to town to conduct a seminar for us, which she graciously agreed to do. I highly recommend this book, not only for anyone interested in improv, but basic acting as well. That's the truth.
There were rules after all, such as "never deny" your fellow actor, no matter what subject or direction they throw at you. Sticking to the 'truth' is much funnier than going for the cheap laugh. Using the "Harold" made you grow in leaps and bounds in terms of your own creative thinking as well as learning how your fellow performers tended to think.
We were all so blown away by this book that we invited Charna to town to conduct a seminar for us, which she graciously agreed to do. I highly recommend this book, not only for anyone interested in improv, but basic acting as well. That's the truth.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
Really glad I bought this book, currently studying improv, and this book helps drive home important points. I highly recommend this book.
Published 1 month ago by jbm
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good for improvisors, just a bunch of anecdotes for everyone else
If you are or trying to become an improviser, buy this book immediately. If you are not, you may appreciate the anecdotes but they are only slightly interesting from an... Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Keadle
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great place to start if you're interested in comedy.
What can I say about this book that hasn't been said. It's almost cliche because so many of its lessons have become so well known and used. Read more
Published 3 months ago by noah sapse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute gem!
This book is co-written by two of the founders of Improv in America, Del Close and Chana Halpern and a student of Del's Kim Johnson. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jeremie Day-Glider
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have...
if you are studying improv, this is the 1st book by Charna and a must read. I well written book looking into the world of long form improv.
Published 6 months ago by Cris C
5.0 out of 5 stars
No "name-dropping" here
Many reviews here say the book indulges in name-dropping. I ordered the book anyway, expecting to plow past those annoying parts. I never found them. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Walter K. Ezell
5.0 out of 5 stars
TiC is THE Manual for Improvisation.
One of the only competent books on improv. Written with care and includes insight from the master Del Close. Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. Nielsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enlightening
I have never read anything before about Improv, but I have played for a couple years. This book really connected some of the dots in my head about why some scenes work, and why... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Daniel Amado
5.0 out of 5 stars
Textbook for Improv class
This book is used as the textbook for long for improv at the Pan Theater in Oakland.
This book is far more "compact" than I thought, and is a quicker read than some of... Read more
This book is far more "compact" than I thought, and is a quicker read than some of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. J. Held
1.0 out of 5 stars
No Content, same useless comments repeated
Good idea, terrible book. They spent 1/2 the book talking about an iffy method and their own experiences. If there is a worse book, I just hope noone publishes it or buys it.
Published 11 months ago by clownschool
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