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Sweet Sixteen is over, and this is a Comedic Pursuits bonus episode: hot goss, round three. We’re here for you because round three was intense.
After the Sweet 16 matches, we all went out together, and that was great because we don’t always get to see each other just hanging out. It was really fun to just have a good time with each other. So there are good things happening in FIST besides tearing everyone apart. It’s bringing some people together.
What’s going on in FIST 2019’s Sweet 16?
This episode was a little different because we interviewed some people who are involved in different parts of FIST. We’ve got:
* Jane White, a member of last year’s winning FIST team, Double Date* Serina, an audience member also known as “The Phantom of Source”* Anuj Christian, WIT’s video operator* Elizabeth Fulton, front-of-house queen and improv doctor/psychologist* Geoff Corey, of Love Language
Jane White, former FIST champion
My FIST experience last year was a little different because that was my first year doing it. FIST was pitched to me as a fun way to get together with people I’d never performed with. Once I got into it, I realized that wasn’t what it was. The joke was on me.
I was really happy to be in the whirlwind last year, but this year I’m very happy not to be in the whirlwind because I don’t like competitions. I think they’re inherently antithetical to improv. But I appreciate the idea that people try to bring their best improv, try to play with people they’ve never played with, and try to do their best. I think competition can cause that to happen.
FIST is kind of the means to the end of having people give a shit. So I appreciate FIST’s “let’s give a shit” factor, and I’ve reshifted my focus about it because now I think more about the fact that these are improvisers who really care.
Have you seen something that you thought was different than anything you’ve seen?
I watched Blockbuster’s Ghost, and it just blew my frickin’ mind. I like the idea of people trying to play each other. I love multicasting because you get to see improvisers making fun of other improvisers or applauding them in that same way.
I think it’s a really kind thing to do for another person, to say, “I see what you were doing, and I’m doing it back as you with my full intelligence and heart. And I’m trying to take this person you created and treat them respectfully and respect the characters.
