#anna rubanova

Today's Episode: Pizza Pizza

Today's Contestants Are:

Adam Bozarth

Anna Rubanova

In this episode! - A semi-sequel episode as justice is attempted to be had! - A rare cartoon character impression is attempted and nailed! - Tales of random hearing loss to make you fear the randomness of existence!

Sketchy Advice: A new segment from UCB Comedy. Established sketch writers from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre offer sketch students advice on being creative, the writing process, and adding to a writer’s room.

This week’s featured writer is Anna Rubanova, a writer for UCB’s Beta Team The Punch, improviser on UCB's former Harold Team Sandino, Executive Producer of Above Average's Podtoons, and founding member of Left Handed Radio (a comedy podcast).

See more of Anna by following her Twitter (@TheActualAnna) and Tumblr (www.annarubanova.com), listening to her VO reel, or by watching Waco Valley from Above Average.

Hi. I’m Anna. While reading this, remember that I have never been employed as a writer - unless you count the internet and improvised commercials - so my advice comes with a big ol’ grain of sea salt (the normal kind is bad for you - it’s been processed and stripped of its minerals.) Setting a goal for yourself is a great tool for getting things done. Even better, set several goals. When one thing doesn’t pan out, another will. Just keep working. Opportunities can come from the most unlikely places, and things can take a very long time. That web series you work on could introduce you to a future collaborator who might help you film your pilot. And other examples. Brandon’s Secret to Happiness: a SKETCH by UCB’s The Punch

Love what you do. Take pleasure in the process. Enjoy not having any ideas then turning your brain on and feeling it, slowly, churn some out for you. You ever forget the name of an actor and then, two hours later, it just comes to you? Same idea. Every once in a while, check to make sure you're in the writing mindset, even if you're not actively writing, and your brain will reward you with comedic thoughts. Write those down. When you have a deadline, your brain will work a little faster, that's why most people prefer to write under pressure. It's exhilarating to be pumping out pitches and punchlines at a faster clip, it gives one the feeling of being professional and productive. While you should always be working toward something or working with deadlines, those occasional epiphanies are not to be ignored. They're often the best ones. You can't rely on them, but they're wonderful.

Google Glass Gangster: a SKETCH by UCB's The Punch

Edit your work. Nothing screams "I don't give a shit about this" more than careless typos. We all make mistakes but, what I'm saying is that, you should feel terrible, always. And that's when you know you're a writer. 

This applies to everyone, but especially to the ladies. Watch comedy. Please. And talk about it with each other. Share your favorite things. Many women don't have bros they can get drunk and watch Adult Swim with, or didn't have any before they started taking comedy classes. Well, odds are, the guys did. You're at a disadvantage. You're not unfunny, you're not worse off, you're just at a disadvantage. The funniest people I know are just copycats, impressionists who ape their heroes and remix Simpsons jokes to sound vaguely original. Everyone can do that. Why shouldn't you? You don't have to know things verbatim, just get familiar.The more you absorb, the more you can know what's possible and the greater the chance you can invent or reinvent a style just for you. Check out this amazing web-series by Alison Rich. 

The Body Is Disgusting 

It's one of my favorite things! Now, I haven't spoken with Alison about her process, but I bet there are at least two or three obvious comedic influences at play here that she could cite - sketches that bring her joy, shows that she watched in high school, or character performances that resonated with her acting style and humor.

Here's a quick list in no particular order of things I like. Some of them are more obscure than others. I hope you check them out and tell me what you think. Peep Show That Mitchell and Webb Look Nathan Barley Garth Marenghi's Darkplace Danger 5 A Bit of Fry and Laurie Absolutely Fabulous Look Around You Key & Peele Flight of the Conchords Trading Places Coming to America Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Strangers with Candy Nathan for You Review The Bilderbergers Xavier: Renegade Angel Veep Conan OH! Mikey! The Unhealthiest Man in the World (Podtoons #2)

Don't let fear of financial ruin deter you. Many people freak out when their acquaintances start making money on TV and they're still stuck temping just to get by. If you're nice and don't take people for granted, someone will always help you. Keep creating in the meantime.

An oldie, but a goodie!