Close Up

From Austin Improv Community Wiki


Close Up (original working title: Single Camera Comedy) was the August 2015 student mainstage production at The Hideout Theatre.

Summary

This was a show based on single-camera 'mockumentaries' like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, and Best in Show.

Show Structure

Each show opened with the cast forming a tableau. Then the directors would ask the audience, "Our crew of documentarians has been following these people around. What is it that they are passionate about?" After taking the suggestion, the show's "lead monologist" would begin the performance with a five- to eight-minute monolog. This would be followed by a series of scenes. They wouldn't follow any one storyline or character, but place more emphasis (especially in the first half) on exploring characters and relationships.

Tone and Style

The show tended towards the whimsical. (Example: one performance featured Jenna Howard as Barack Obama and Kenny Madison as Joe Biden.) Its pace varied, slowing down with extended monologs, but speeding up for quick pop-outs within scenes. It had a fairly minimal visual style, with straightforward lighting changes for cueing monologs, and a basic black/white/gray costume palette with accent colors.

Publicity Blurb

From the show announcement:

"A comedic narrative in the style of single-camera comedies like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family, as well as borrowing from mockumentaries like Best in Show."

Media

Photos

More Information