Improv Bootcamp with Fawad Siddiqui

From humble origins as a theater training tool and performance style, improvisation has become an essential tool in the Film, TV and Commercial industry, for creatives both in front of and behind the camera. John Favreau, Mike Nichols and Adam McCay number among the leading directors who studied and performed improv before going on to mainstream success. Tina Fey, Steve Carall, and Stephen Colbert have become household names as multifaceted creative forces, producers, showrunners and hosts, along with scores of other Hollywood actors, writers and directors. Many of the most iconic moments of modern TV and film history were improvised. And many TV, Film and Commercial auditions now largely comprise of improv alongside scripted work. Capable actors, writers, directors, producers, and casting people are all expected to be comfortable and familiar with Improv acting as a tool for effective filmmaking when the opportunity arises. And for some it is their preferred method of creative work.

In this class, we will explore the techniques of improvisation, giving an overview of its history and fundamentals as an art, and learning and mastering a number of exercises and forms, all with an eye toward their application as training for TV, Film and Commercial work, both in the pre-production and production process on-set, for the filmmaker, writer and actor.

DATES: March 23rd, March 30th, April 6th, & April 20th, Saturdays ONLY from 2 PM - 5 PM

WHERE: Downtown Media Center/FilmGate Miami (168 SE 1st St 4TH FLOOR, Miami, FL 33131)

FILMGATE PASSHOLDERS: EMAIL info@film-gate.org TO SIGN UP FOR THIS BOOTCAMP

FILMGATE MEMBERS check the newsletter for your promo code to apply at check out!

REFUND POLICY: Full refund up to 2 weeks. Partial refund or credit after that.

SCHEDULE:

Class One (3/23) - From Random Thought to Movie Idea

• Improv Fundamentals 
• Improv Exercises for Pre-Production/Story Generation

Class Two (3/30) -  Improvisation for the Actor 

• Trusting yourself
• Creating a private moment in public
• Getting out of your own way. 
• Re-directing a performance for auditions and onset
• Adapting to other actors' choices and unexpected changes.

Class Three (4/6) - Fine Tuning your Improv Skills - Improv Games that Simulate Filming Situations

• Fundamentals of scene work. 
• The three beat structure.
•  Costume work in character creation on the fly. 
• Writing a character profile. 
• Improv Exercise Intensive. 
• Dealing with last second script changes.

Class Four (4/20) - The Improvised Movie

• Taking what we have learned in earlier classes, we will be learning and practicing a specific improv theater form based on films called The Movie. Using the language of filmmaking, participants will improvise a movie in person, often with hilarious results, yet sometimes profound work!

INSTRUCTOR BIO:

Fawad Siddiqui DOES the damn THING! He is one of the most well-respected and experienced improv actors, teachers and directors living and working in South Florida. Fawad splits his time between Miami and New York and has become (thank God) one of the most regularly working TV, Film and Voiceover actors from the city, with over forty credits to date and counting.

His recent TV work includes appearances on Law & Order: SVU (NBC), The Black List (NBC), and New Amsterdam (NBC). He has also appeared in films and series alongside such actors as Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Naomi Watts, and most recently Kevin Bacon and Britney O’Grady for an upcoming feature. And many if not most of these appearances involved varying degrees of improv onset!

Fawad started his improv training in Miami with Laughing Gas Improv, and went on to study in Chicago, New York, and Orlando. He has performed regularly with improv groups around the country and is currently director of Short Round Improv which does weekly jams and monthly shows at the Mainstreet Playhouse in Miami Lakes.

A massive supporter and fan of FilmGate and its mission to help elevate the acting and film arts in his beloved South Florida, Fawad is thrilled and eager lead some exciting, fun improv workshops, providing exercises and tips for the FilmGate community, with a particular eye toward helpful exercises for aspiring or working TV/Film actors!

Disclaimers:

• Pictures will be taken for our social media + website!

PARKING INFO

Parking will be at the PK1 Garage/Downtown Courtyard Marriott, located at 200 SE 2nd Street, Miami, FL, 33131. This is a SELF-PARK garage. Please bring your ticket to the studio for discount validation.

-Up to 4 hours = $5

-Up to 8 hours = $10

-Beyond 8 Hours = $25

We can't wait to meet you!