Long Form Courses - Student Feedback
Long Form Winter 2011
I always love the maydays’ courses – this was by far the hardest I have done – but also the most rewarding. For me the highlights were those moments when things within the group seemed to gel – and a scene or game just worked. I really like the teaching approach – very relaxed and positive (although I appreciate the amount of work that goes into delivering a ‘relaxed’ course). The show was really fun too…The course really opened my eyes to the world of improv – apparently it is not all games? I really liked the character work and found it really fascinating that simple changes to the way you always do things brings a completely new personality with it.
Beyond improv comedy the course has made me more confident when delivering talks or workshops at work. I think i have also learnt how to really listen to what others are saying and to get on board with wherever they are coming from – seeing things from their point of view.
I think the course was really good – the only thing that may have helped is an opportunity to get to know each other a bit (esp at the beginning) – but having said that, with the time constraints I think it hits a just about perfect level.
Jo Weatherall, Longform Winter 2011
I really enjoyed learning how to do tag outs that support my fellow improvisers and how to scene paint. Doing music with the other group was a fun way to end the term.
Learning how to create a story from nothing has been useful. I feel I have become more resourceful as an improviser as well. Beyond the course I have benefitted from increased listening skills and improved patience.
I'd say definitely do a maydays course but only sign up for longform if you've already had some significant improv/acting experience so you have a grounding in character building, stage techniques etc.
Rachel Denyer, Longform Winter 2011
Long Form Autumn 2009
I particularly liked Heather and Jen’s teaching. Extremely supportive the whole way through. Heather’s feedback was always spot-on and told me just what I needed to get to the next stage, and Jen was always there encouraging me to ‘go for it’ The class atmosphere... great bunch of people and it really 'tuned up' my lateral thinking skills and improved my confidence.
Sue Pullen, Longform Autumn 2009
I most enjoyed the laughter and comfort in our group, using my mind in ways I haven't used it before and trying out new things. It's massively increased my confidence (that even shows at work) and I have a new Creative Outlook to feed my creative hunger.
Matt Matheson, Longform Autumn 2009
I've found I really enjoy the performances in the moment - it just seems to work out when it really feels beforehand like it won’t. Meeting people who share a sense of the ridiculous and are free enough to have a go has also been a joy. The relationships with the above - the exposure inherent in improvisation means the relationships that develop are more fulfilling than the usual evening course casual friendship. I have gained The confidence and the urge to be spontaneous outside of the context of the course. A chunk of life to go alongside work and home but completely different and it's something I love doing just for me. Plus it's something to talk about at boring parties which people find genuinely surprising. I have an Inner glow because I know I can do it.
John Stock, Longform Autumn 2009
I enjoyed most, the energy that long form improv gave me, and therefore the freedom almost to be myself. Life requires so many roles and here i could be all of them. The biggest challenge was sticking to a format, a story with links. Inevitably more rewarding in the long run, especially with other team support. I have got a lot of confidence out of the course, lots of understanding of me. Great fun, freedom, a chance to release, and just loads of fun! I also found it hard which was good, and i want more and more challenges like this. Loved it!
Naomi Long, Longform Autumn 2009
It was all enjoyable, perhaps most of all the final performance, as we somehow managed to pull it off! The course has been really good for me in terms of reminding me to do more object work, as well as just generally refreshing all my improvisation skills. If you are open to suggestion and have a keen sense of the ridiculous, you'll love it. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable course and tremendous fun. Thank you.
Kate Ballard, Longform Autumn 2009
I always love the maydays’ courses – this was by far the hardest I have done – but also the most rewarding. For me the highlights were those moments when things within the group seemed to gel – and a scene or game just worked. I really like the teaching approach – very relaxed and positive (although I appreciate the amount of work that goes into delivering a ‘relaxed’ course). The show was really fun too…The course really opened my eyes to the world of improv – apparently it is not all games? I really liked the character work and found it really fascinating that simple changes to the way you always do things brings a completely new personality with it.
Beyond improv comedy the course has made me more confident when delivering talks or workshops at work. I think i have also learnt how to really listen to what others are saying and to get on board with wherever they are coming from – seeing things from their point of view.
I think the course was really good – the only thing that may have helped is an opportunity to get to know each other a bit (esp at the beginning) – but having said that, with the time constraints I think it hits a just about perfect level.
Jo Weatherall, Longform Winter 2011
I really enjoyed learning how to do tag outs that support my fellow improvisers and how to scene paint. Doing music with the other group was a fun way to end the term.
Learning how to create a story from nothing has been useful. I feel I have become more resourceful as an improviser as well. Beyond the course I have benefitted from increased listening skills and improved patience.
I'd say definitely do a maydays course but only sign up for longform if you've already had some significant improv/acting experience so you have a grounding in character building, stage techniques etc.
Rachel Denyer, Longform Winter 2011
Long Form Autumn 2009
I particularly liked Heather and Jen’s teaching. Extremely supportive the whole way through. Heather’s feedback was always spot-on and told me just what I needed to get to the next stage, and Jen was always there encouraging me to ‘go for it’ The class atmosphere... great bunch of people and it really 'tuned up' my lateral thinking skills and improved my confidence.
Sue Pullen, Longform Autumn 2009
I most enjoyed the laughter and comfort in our group, using my mind in ways I haven't used it before and trying out new things. It's massively increased my confidence (that even shows at work) and I have a new Creative Outlook to feed my creative hunger.
Matt Matheson, Longform Autumn 2009
I've found I really enjoy the performances in the moment - it just seems to work out when it really feels beforehand like it won’t. Meeting people who share a sense of the ridiculous and are free enough to have a go has also been a joy. The relationships with the above - the exposure inherent in improvisation means the relationships that develop are more fulfilling than the usual evening course casual friendship. I have gained The confidence and the urge to be spontaneous outside of the context of the course. A chunk of life to go alongside work and home but completely different and it's something I love doing just for me. Plus it's something to talk about at boring parties which people find genuinely surprising. I have an Inner glow because I know I can do it.
John Stock, Longform Autumn 2009
I enjoyed most, the energy that long form improv gave me, and therefore the freedom almost to be myself. Life requires so many roles and here i could be all of them. The biggest challenge was sticking to a format, a story with links. Inevitably more rewarding in the long run, especially with other team support. I have got a lot of confidence out of the course, lots of understanding of me. Great fun, freedom, a chance to release, and just loads of fun! I also found it hard which was good, and i want more and more challenges like this. Loved it!
Naomi Long, Longform Autumn 2009
It was all enjoyable, perhaps most of all the final performance, as we somehow managed to pull it off! The course has been really good for me in terms of reminding me to do more object work, as well as just generally refreshing all my improvisation skills. If you are open to suggestion and have a keen sense of the ridiculous, you'll love it. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable course and tremendous fun. Thank you.
Kate Ballard, Longform Autumn 2009
