Intro to Improv: Say 'Yes, And...' Improve Your Craft

Hosted by Sean Blodgett

N/A
On-demand coming soon
We're in the process of converting this LIVE webinar into the video for on-demand viewing. Please come back soon.

Registration

ON-DEMAND COMING SOON!

This webinar had a live screening session recently and has not yet been converted into a video format.

Stage 32 Next Level Education has a 97% user satisfaction rate.

Projects:

Sean Blodgett

Webinar hosted by: Sean Blodgett

Owner at Creative Motion Entertainment

Sean Blodgett is an actor, producer, director, editor, content creator, social media director, and more. Sean has worked in the entertainment and multimedia production industry for over 25 years and in that time has amassed myriad experiences both behind and in front of the camera. Sean began his career as an actor working on such shows as MONK alongside Tony Shalhoub, MADMEN in a pivotal scene with Jon Hamm, PARKS AND RECREATION with the hilarious Chris Pratt, iCARLY, BOSTON LEGAL, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES-and many more. Over the years he appeared in TV shows, movies, and commercials for high-level companies like LIBERTY MUTUAL, HONDA, and OSCAR MEYER. He is also an accomplished film/video editor and cinematographer and has received awards from multiple festivals for his work on films and web series. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

Did you know that Improv is a great skill set that can help improve your writing, your directing, your acting and even your life? Well, it can and this webinar is going to show you how. 

Jordan Peele, Tina Fey, Bob Odenkirk, Catherine O'Hara, Bowen Yang, Stephen Colbert, Adam McKay, Amy Poehler, Kumail Nanjiani… The list of entertainers who got their start in improvisation, or "improv," is endless, with many becoming well-known writers, directors, and producers. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you'll get a crash course in how improv works and the many ways that you can successfully apply it to your work.

Walking you through this tried-and-true practice is Sean Blodgett, an actor, producer, director, editor, and content creator, who has worked in entertainment for over 25 years. Sean has worked on hit shows with stars that include Chris Pratt, Tony Shalhoub, Jon Hamm, and many more. He is also an accomplished editor and cinematographer, receiving awards from multiple festivals for his work on films and web series.

You'll cover how writers use improv to develop their work and directors generate a better atmosphere on set that's open to experimenting and taking risks. And while you might not be on a stage together, you'll practice these skills by interacting with your classmates in virtual group exercises.

By the end of this webinar, you'll have the tools to advance your performing, writing, or directing skills by learning how to take creative risks and being open to what comes your way. You'll learn how to be aware, present, and respond honestly to any moment. You'll stop second-guessing and blocking your creative flow as you learn improv games and exercises to open your mind and improve your given craft.

Praise for Sean's Stage 32 Education:

"Sean is a master not only at Improv but at creating a safe space for everyone to be themselves, push past boundaries to let their true creative being shine. I'm a better creative and person for having worked with Sean!" -Sara T.

What You'll Learn

The Basics

  • What is Improv…?

Improv Dos And Don’ts

Why Improv Is About Honesty And Not Just Funny

Practical Ways To Use Improv As A Writer

  • Exploring Dialogue
  • Exploring Emotional Arcs
  • Exploring Story
  • Exploring the given circumstances
  • Creating story pitches

Practical Ways to Use Improv As A Director

  • Helping actors connect
  • Helping actors explore subtext
  • Helping actors find intention and meaning
  • Helping the actors explore the given circumstances of their characters, scene, and setting
  • Creating a sense of life before and after the scene
  • Discovering blocking
  • Creating a safe space for actors to take risks

How Improv Saved The Day In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

How Improv Helps In The Real World...

  • Learn what “yes, and” is and how to use it
  • Uncovering your personal power through the great “yes, and”
  • Keeping our ego in check and focusing on the goal of the project

Improv Games

  • Warm-up
  • We’ll play a few improv games to give you a sense of what it’s like to really get you thinking on your feet
  • Cool Down

Q&A with Sean

About Your Instructor

Sean Blodgett is an actor, producer, director, editor, content creator, social media director, and more. Sean has worked in the entertainment and multimedia production industry for over 25 years and in that time has amassed myriad experiences both behind and in front of the camera. Sean began his career as an actor working on such shows as MONK alongside Tony Shalhoub, MADMEN in a pivotal scene with Jon Hamm, PARKS AND RECREATION with the hilarious Chris Pratt, iCARLY, BOSTON LEGAL, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES-and many more. Over the years he appeared in TV shows, movies, and commercials for high-level companies like LIBERTY MUTUAL, HONDA, and OSCAR MEYER. He is also an accomplished film/video editor and cinematographer and has received awards from multiple festivals for his work on films and web series.

FAQs

Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.

If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.

Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.

YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:

  1. Log into your Stage 32 profile
  2. Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
  3. Click "Purchase History"
  4. Choose this webinar and click the link to view
If You Do Not Have a Stage 32 Profile:
  1. Go to www.stage32.com
  2. Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
  3. Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
  4. Click "Purchase History"
  5. Choose this webinar and click the link to view

Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.

Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.

If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.

Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.

Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.

Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.

Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.

If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.

Testimonials

“Sean is a master not only at Improv but at creating a safe space for everyone to be themselves, push past boundaries to let their true creative being shine. I’m a better creative and person for having worked with Sean! Whether it’s being a better communicator, being comfortable in your own skin or pitching producers and investors your work, he has a gift for bringing out a person’s best.” Sara T.

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.

Other education that may be of interest to you:

Shooting a Film with a Crew of 10 People or Less

2-PART IN-DEPTH ON-DEMAND CLASS (OVER 4 HOURS OF EDUCATION) Learn from a producer, director, and editor with 30 years of experience making professional projects with a small crew in film, television, commercials, and more. Technology has never been more advanced and distribution options have never been more accessible. There has never been a better time to make your film, digital series, short film, or other project, and now, you can do it with just a few crew members and still achieve professional results. Unfortunately, most first-time filmmakers get caught up in the idea that they need a huge budget or a ton of people to make their dreams a reality. But that doesn’t have to be you. Your job is to use your creativity and ingenuity to find innovative ways to produce your project with a small footprint, and in this exclusive Stage 32 two-part filmmaking class, we’ll show you how to do it by using a tight crew that is just as passionate and dedicated to your project as you are. Over two information-packed sessions, producer and director Sean Blodgett uses his 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry to show you everything you need to make your project with a small crew. You’ll cover what crew roles you truly need at each stage, how to develop and budget your project for a call crew, your distribution options, and more. You’ll even look at case studies to apply your learning to real-world scenarios. You'll also receive exclusive handouts to keep and use on your own projects, including a crew checklist, sample blank film budget, actor agreement, and crew agreement. Sean and his company, Creative Motion Entertainment, have worked on many different kinds of projects, including film, television, and commercials. He’s worked with DreamworksTV on the series SECRET AGENT CHALLENGE, PBS on BENISE FIESTA, and high-level companies like LIBERTY MUTUAL, HONDA, and OSCAR MEYER. Sean previously worked on such television series as PARKS AND RECREATION, MAD MEN, MONK, and more. If you’re ready to make your project a reality by shooting with a small crew, find out how achievable your goals really are by learning from an industry professional who's done it for 30 years.  PRAISE FOR SEAN'S KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: “I have enormous admiration and respect for Sean Blodgett. I have worked with him several times, in particular when he served as DP and Editor for two short films that I wrote, directed, and produced. Being that they were both low-budget, Sean wore multiple hats to help enable me to produce high-quality work at a more reasonable cost. He proved to me that you don't have to have a huge crew to do this! He also brought to the set boundless positive energy (something every set needs!). In post, he again wore more than one hat (besides that of a visual editor) and delivered exceptional results in a consistently creative and collaborative way. I think the fact that these two films went to countless festivals and garnered a number of nominations and awards is in no small part due to his talented contributions.”

How You Can Become A Development Executive In Entertainment

How you can land the coveted role of Development Executive at a streamer, studio or network from an executive who's worked with HBO, Paramount, Hallmark, and more! PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you get ahead in your job search.    Who picks what scripts get produced and become your favorite films and television shows? This role belongs to the Development Executive. The best development executives know how to spot a great script or book that can become a successful film or TV show. They nurture relationships with top talent. They shepherd projects from inception through development and into production managing the creative process while keeping the business side on track. It's all about finding and connecting the right people and helping mold a great script and package that companies want to make and audiences want to see. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you’ll see exactly what being a development executive is all about and how you can land this creative and often lucrative position through both traditional and non-traditional routes. This webinar will flatten your learning curve and get you closer to stepping onto the development executive ladder. You’ll cover everything from how to find scripts to giving notes to landing the development jobs themselves.  Your host, Kelly Edwards, is a former HBO executive who teaches a top-tier leadership program for creative executives, and now she’s sharing her fantastic insight on how to be a development executive with you.  Kelly has worked with every major studio and her new book, THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR: A WRITER’S GUIDE TO TV SERIES DEVELOPMENT is a bestseller available in stores and online. She’s also responsible for the success of LIVING SINGLE, GIRLFRIENDS, CLUELESS, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, and a host of other television series. In addition to Kelly’s incredible knowledge, she’s providing you with sample coverage, a list of ways to get your foot in the door, a sample resume, and more. When you’ve finished your webinar with Kelly, you’ll know what it takes to be a successful development executive and how people in the industry land these coveted positions. Put yourself ahead of the competition in your job hunt by snagging a spot with Kelly today. PRAISE FOR KELLY'S WORK AND EDUCATION: "Candid, witty, and extremely knowledgeable, she gets straight to the point which is so helpful for everyone - it’s a masters class on the business and TV in particular." -- Rona Edwards, writer/producer and author of l Liked It, Didn’t Love It (Screenplay Development from the Inside Out) "One word -- AMAZING! Kelly left our entire group feeling newly inspired not only about their writing but also about living their best selves. We will definitely be having her back!" -- Lynelle W. (TV writer, BLACK LIGHTNING, Z NATION, ARMY WIVES) "Kelly delivers an essential guide to necessary skills that every writer needs to successfully navigate the entertainment industry. She is a fantastic, knowledgeable presenter who will help you step up your career game." -- Katherine Craft, writer  

How to Finance Your Own Independent Television Series

Learn how to create and fund your own streaming series from a TV series creator who has been involved with over 500 hours of content! The surge of television platforms, networks, and streamers in recent years has opened up the world of television content production, spelling good news for aspiring content creators around the world. We’re not just talking Netflix and Amazon; countless other channels and streamers like Tubi, Shudder, Roku, Snap, and many more are actively building their slates and looking for new content to buy outright. With these opportunities, it’s more than possible to create, sell and be profitable on your own independent TV series.  Over twenty-five years and working across three continents, Jeanette Milio has been involved in the production of over 500 hours of content for film and television, with a total production value of over $250 million, including Academy Award® winning talent in front of and behind the camera. Recently, Jeanette has focused on the development, financing, and production of television series. She co-created, co-financed and executive produced the beauty competition series GLOBAL BEAUTY MASTERS on TLC and its spin-off series THE LOOK ALL-STARS on The CW. She further managed the renowned dog series TV series and brand DOG WHISPERER WITH CESAR MILLAN, which aired for 9 seasons on the National Geographic Channel and sold in over 180 countries.   Jeanette’s decades working and finding success in the TV industry has given her a unique and unrivaled perspective of how to finance television content and get it sold. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, thoroughly lay out Jeanette will rules to follow and the traps to avoid for you to fund, produce, and sell your own independent TV content to a streaming service! If you are looking to create film and television projects for streaming services, this webinar is a must! Praise For Jeanette's Teaching "Jeanette has invaluable knowledge and made me feel like seeing my project get made and distributed was possible." -- Phillip F. “This was an excellent overview of all that is involved, and a great encouragement to reach out to people who do this kind of thing for a living, instead of trying to do it by myself for the first time.” -- Sarah D. “Jeanette was so detailed about the how to's and why you need to take and research every step. I love getting the details that really feel behind the curtain.” -- Melissa B. “I liked it. Specifically, the content. Jeanette was very informative and clearly knows her stuff.” -- Crystal B.

Pitching Tips from the Pros: Your Blueprint to a Successful Pitch

  The art of the pitch. In many ways, outside of honing your craft, your ability to pitch may just be the most important skill you can learn as a creative. At its core, pitching is storytelling. But the ability to be a clear, concise storyteller, and, as a result, be someone who can deliver a memorable and winning pitch is something that takes time, knowledge, a clear strategy, and repetition. Understanding how to pitch any person or audience will give you a clear and tremendous advantage in any situation or room. You will stand out from the hundreds if not thousands of pitches a gatekeeper or decision maker hears in a given year. But further, learning how to pitch will help you build confidence, a huge variable in winning over those looking to work with you, buy your material or invest in your project. The bottom line: Whether you're a screenwriter, filmmaker, producer, or any creative or industry professional looking to gain representation, sell their material, attract talent, raise financing, or simply looking to find work, you WILL have to pitch. Further, you WILL be in competition with others pitching as well. You've put so much time and effort into your work and building your reputation, you don't want to have it all undermined with a terrible pitch. And the truth of the matter is that most people that pitch make the same fatal mistakes over and over. They don't know how to tell a concise, riveting story. They don't know what to put in, what to leave out, and what elements really and truly sell someone on their story. But not you. Not anymore. You're about to become a pitching ace.  

Understanding Option Agreements: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Yourself

Whether you're controlling some valuable intellectual property, looking to secure IP, or simply have a valuable property in the form of a spec script, TV pilot, webseries, digital series, or other filmed material, you are likely going to be confronted with signing or distributing an option agreement. It is imperative that you understand the various types of option agreements and what information should be included to assure that you are not only protecting your material, but yourself legally as well. As the content gold rush grows, option agreements have become more and more commonplace. It is the vital piece of the paper trail that will ensure you are exercising and getting all your rights as your project gets made. These agreements are designed to protect both sides of a given deal, but can be complicated and sometimes include unnecessary language or clauses that could serve to hold up your content or payment. before you sign on the dotted line, you need to understand what exactly is an option agreement, who has creative control, how much money can be made and what you need to include to protect your rights up front. Lane Shefter Bishop is an Emmy award winning filmmaker and producer who has set up over two dozen book properties - many of them only on book proposals and early partials - with studios, networks and production companies throughout the entertainment industry. She is the CEO of Vast Entertainment, a book-to-screen company with numerous projects at both studios and networks, including feature films for Fox 2000, Silver Pictures, CBS Films & Lionsgate, and TV films for Lifetime, as well as TV series with Phoenix Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, The Donner Company, Storyline Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions. She has been on both sides of option agreements and knows the ins and outs of what you need to take into account for your own option agreement. Lane will provide you essential practical knowledge on the ins and outs of option agreements and break them down step-by-step and section-by-section. You will know what is included in a typical option, what purchase price can be expected, what royalties can be expected, what reserved rights are and how to handle publishers releases, notarized addendums and author assignments. This is vital for authors and screenwriters who currently have or expect to have their own material optioned and want to know what monies they can expect to make, when, and how. But it is also highly beneficial for producers, directors, and talent looking to acquire their own underlying material for development- books, short stories, graphic novels, articles, etc.   Lane will provide you with a comprehensive, but easy to understand deep dive on option agreements. She will remove the fear and anxiety which will allow you to clearly and decisively protect yourself and ask for the important items that need to be included in all your agreements.   PRAISE FOR LANE'S TEACHINGS: “Very impressed with Ms. Bishop, both her formal presentation and the Q & A that followed.” - Steve Weintz “The seminar was informative, insightful, well documented, entertaining, well thought out and delivered with a touch of humor. Wonderful!” - Katharine Carter “Lane was so focused. She was totally prepared.” - Karisa Wiseman Ewinger “Content: Outstanding!” - Doug McLeod “Loved it. Very informative.” - GR Case

The 5 Key Elements of Theme & How to Incorporate Them Into Your Script + 3 Downloads

Learn how you can take your script from good to great by properly incorporating theme throughout your story from Jonny Grant, the screenwriter of THE DARE & ARTHUR & MERLIN: KNIGHTS OF CAMELOT.  PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you with theme in your script, including Structure & Theme Guidelines and Setting, Dialogue & Thematic Patterning Guidelines  While many of your most beloved films feature flashy titles or concepts - dinosaurs escaping from an amusement park, an unsinkable ship hitting an iceberg and sinking into the ocean, a giant shark terrorizing beachgoers - there is always so much more to these stories than what appears at first glance. Beneath the facade, JURASSIC PARK is about a man learning to become a parent, TITANIC is a love story about two people coming together for a happier life, and JAWS is about people facing their phobias. These are all examples of THEME in film and help give those films layers of meaning that bring audiences back for multiple viewings. There’s countless examples of themes beneath the surface of your favorite movies. However, incorporating theme into your writing is tricky; it is often submerged in the words and actions of the characters and subtly built into the plot. How can you effectively weave your theme into your story? How do you subtly get the theme across without hitting the audience over the head with it? Conversely, how can you make sure your theme comes across without being too convoluted? And how can your theme tie into the surface level plot of your story? In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you’ll learn how to effectively incorporate theme into your script to elevate your story and engage your audience. Teaching you everything you need to know about creating a strong theme in your screenplay is accomplished screenwriter Jonny Grant. Represented by top management company, Zero Gravity Management, Jonny’s recent work includes THE DARE for Millennium Films and Lionsgate directed by Giles Alderson and starring Richard Brake (The Mandolorian, Game of Thrones) & Bart Edwards (PeepShow, The Witcher) and ARTHUR & MERLIN, KNIGHTS OF CAMELOT starring Richard Short (Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan). Incorporating theme into your screenplay is a universal strength and powerful tool to make your scripts engaging on multiple levels! Jonny is a master of incorporating theme into his work and is exclusively sharing his expertise with the Stage 32 community. PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you add theme into your screenplay. Downloads include: Structure & Theme Guidelines Setting, Dialogue & Thematic Patterning Guidelines If you're looking to elevate your screenwriting, this webinar is a must!  

register for stage 32 Register / Log In