On Friday, December 11th, Stockton Student Television (SSTV) filmed the pilot episode of Skeleton Scripts. Created and hosted by Stockton student Sam Rubinstein, Skeleton Scripts is an improvisational sketch comedy show. The show works something like this: a week before the show, the actors in the cast receive a “skeleton script,” a bare-bones outline of basic dialogue without punctuation, leaving interpretation open to the actor. In addition, space is left for improvisation between lines, and the actors have no idea until show time what other actors are in the skit with them. Lastly, each skit has a mystery prop. None of the actors know what the strange prop is until they’re onstage and the prop is revealed. As expected, comedic chaos ensues. Overall it makes for a fun, wild, and unpredictable comedy experience.
The pilot episode was filmed by SSTV in Alton Auditorium and had a live studio audience of about 30 people. Three skits were performed: a student asking a teacher for extra credit, a new couple at a shady-looking pet store, and a thief deciding to rob the wrong couple. At the end of the show, the audience was invited to take part in improve games with the cast.
As an actor in Skeleton Scripts, I had a very interesting view of the process, from pre-production to the filming of the pilot on the eleventh. Auditions were nerve-racking but exciting – we were asked to act out a skeleton script with one of the SSTV members, and emote for the camera. It was super intimidating, especially since I’d never done improve in front of a camera! The best part of the whole process in my opinion was our cast rehearsal, which acted as a sort of ice-breaker. The other actors and I were all given a sample skeleton script and were able to perform it multiple times with different actors. It was a great way to get to know everyone, while at the same time practicing for the actual performance.
The night the pilot was filmed, we got a lot of laughs. The show has since been picked up, and filming for the first season of Skeleton Scripts begins at the end of March. I can’t wait for filming to begin and to be able to share this hilarious, crazy, improve-filled experience with the Stockton Community.