It didn’t matter who you were — Martin de Maat believed in you. Martin was a teacher and administrator at Second City. He died in 2001, about a year before I started taking classes there, but he left behind an indelible legacy. By all accounts, he was a one-of-a-kind figure — passionate, enthusiastic, inspirational. Martin put … Read more
What can Mad Men teach us about expressing ourselves effectively? What does Chris Farley tell us about stage presence? Is there intelligent life down here? Mr. Spock says so. Nothing sells like video! The webcast of yesterday’s radio show is up and it turned out great. Having video clips, even if audio-only, added a lot of … Read more
Chris Farley used to do this great bit on SNL, where he played this typically rumpled character who bemoans his lack of communication skills. As he catalogues his various deficiencies, he punctuates each one with great, sausage-fingered air quotes: Maybe I’m not “the norm,” I’m not “camera friendly.” I don’t “wear clothes that fit me,” … Read more