thecavin: We put it up at the UCB Theatre here in NYC
Kilotravis: so is that long form?
thecavin: It was a ton of work doing videos for it and rehearsing
thecavin: no, it's sktech, so it's more like SNL
Kilotravis: so is it completely rehearsed or is there improv elements?
thecavin: Long form is just bare bones improv where you get a suggestion and then go for 20 minutes or so. It's called 'long form' as opposed to something like Comedy Sortz which is short form, because Comedy Sportz is 'hosted' by someone and the scenes are broken up into several 3 minute games
thecavin: It was completely rehearsed with scripts and everything. But on stage we did a lot of improvising, especially for that first run because there we so many bugs to work out
Kilotravis: How does the video fit into the performance?
thecavin: A few ways. There are 2 stand alone videos, one fake commercial and one fake PSA, but the other videos interact with the stage performance. So the show starts, these guys run off stage, and a video starts and you see them 'live via closed caption camera' run out of the theater and into the street above. Then they (actually a really fake looking dummy) gets nailed by a car about 3 times.
thecavin: There were other elements like this in the show where the stage would reference the video and the 2 would interact. There's one sketch where I was an office intern and then a video conference screen popped up and it was my boss (really just me again in a totally different outfit) and stage-Me conversed back and forth with video-Me
thecavin: Man I am long winded.
Kilotravis: how many sketches did you do?
thecavin: It's a little weird. 3 solid stage sketches. But if you count the opening/welcome, where the guys run into the street, and other ones like that, it comes out to a total of....
thecavin: 6 sketches and 2 stand alone videos
thecavin: And all but 2 of those sketches had video elements in them
thecavin: There was a lot interactive media stuff.
Kilotravis: So is this a style you're developing... incorporating media into your live action? Is that a direction you're heading with your work, or is this just a one time deal?
thecavin: Probably a direction. I love doing video stuff. And when I think of doing stage stuff, it just comes up. It's not as limiting as stage. But I think there's something awesome about just solid stage performance.
thecavin: direction = style
thecavin: btw
Kilotravis: so I'm going to ask a tough question here. No softball, larry king interview...
thecavin: Man, more Charlie Rose style eh?
Kilotravis: if stage is limiting, why not just do the whole thing by video? are there aspects that the stage compliments the video in a special way
Kilotravis: ?
Kilotravis: that was garbled but you get the point.
thecavin: Yeah, good point. I think because we wanted to have something to put up at UCB. It's harder to do that and just host a video show. But I really do love live performance. There's a way different energy and feeling you get than just working on video and shooting and acting.
Kilotravis: when you're doing it in person, can you react to the audiance or are you too removed to make a difference?
thecavin: I do think there is something that compliments the stage elements too. Audiences like to see a well done video, and it's easier to do a more grandiose idea that way. Plus I think audiences still enjoy the 'cool' interaction of the two.
thecavin: I have no real feelings and interactions. So, yeah, I'm removed.
thecavin: No, we completely interacted with the audience a ton. It was fun. And I love that and think audiences do too.
thecavin: There's a balance you have to have with having your stuff well rehearsed and timed and then be able to address the audience and interact. When that's done well I think audiences really like it.
thecavin: BTW - there's a show on MTV called Human Giant that is 3 guys who are sketch, improv, and stand up performers who started making videos and then did what you were saying - started a show that's just videos, no stage. It's really hilarious.
Kilotravis: Have you ever thought about improv video? where you would have a pre-shot clips but you have to mix them into a live performance based on random suggestions, off the cuff, like a DJ scratching at a show, but with live sketches mixing in video.
thecavin: hmmm. wow that's a good idea. Wanna move here?
Kilotravis: you would have to have ALOT of clips.
thecavin: I have thought of some of that kind of stuff and there are some people in NYC who have messed with that. My friend Charlie Todd (who's a UNC alum) did a live video chat improv thing one time.
thecavin: There's also a group here called Neutrino that created an improv form where they got a suggestion and then sent people out with cameras and actors and created a 25 minute improvised video show
Kilotravis: I want to talk about some other areas, and I'm watching the time, so where are you going from here? will you have a second run, or are you going to start on a new project?
thecavin: Basically people were out shooting scenes and the audience would watch one while the others were being shot. People would run tapes back to the theater, drop off, then go out and shoot the next scene. CRAZY. Then scenes from different film crews would start running together, actors in each others' scenes. It was supposedly pretty funny (never saw it).
thecavin: yeah. We are rewriting, re-rehearsing, and hoping to put it up for a second time in a few months with hopes of eventually getting an extended run at the theater.
Kilotravis: How's your other acting going? any new commercials, etc?
thecavin: As far as other projects, I'm working on a documentary about my church's worship team. it's a cool group of people.
Kilotravis: what church is that?
thecavin: with acting, I have an audition tomorrow for a commercial/web-isode thing.
thecavin: MILES! We are in 2 different conversations!! This internet is amazing!
thecavin: All Angels Episcopal, on the Upper West Side
Kilotravis: how do you like french cheese?
Kilotravis: how many can we start!
thecavin: Cambert = thumbs up. Brie = overrated.
thecavin: 3!
Kilotravis: so back to the webisode...
thecavin: right
thecavin: (Boursin = my favorite cheese)
Kilotravis: mascarpone = my vote
thecavin: the webisode thing is just an audition for a place called Hungryman that's a big commercial production house in NYC. They do tons of big stuff, super bowl commercials, etc. The 2 guys that started it came up with the "This is Sports Center" campaign. I go in there for auditions pretty regularly. Haven't gotten anything yet, but they do super fun stuff.
thecavin: Nice pick, very cultured.
thecavin: Cultured like Bleu Cheese! zing!
Kilotravis: But you did get this one, right?
thecavin: no, I go in just for the audition tomorrow. So, 1st round.
Kilotravis: oh right you said that
Kilotravis: do they give you info before the audition or do you just show up
thecavin: Usually just show up. If it's for a play I get emailed "sides" - lines and character breakdown sometimes. But commercials is just show up. Maybe some description beforehand.
Kilotravis: when does your chic-fil-a calendar come out?
thecavin: 2008
thecavin: I think December 2007
Kilotravis: which one are you? any identifying clues?
thecavin: Actually, I'm on every page. And I'm the cover cow. In a few months, I'm the background cows, but I'm the main one a lot (how ridiculous does this conversation sound?) It was funny how it worked out, they used me for most of it. There's one page where there's a diva cow getting out of limo and people taking pictures of it, and you can see my, human Cory not cow Cory, from the back acting as a photographer.
Kilotravis: what are you reading? what are you listening to? Any new hobbies, interests, obscessions? Still drinking alot of tea?
thecavin: I'm reading a book called The Mole People about people that live in the subway and train tunnels in NYC. REALLY fascinating and gives a good look at the homeless situation in NYC. Also reading a book called Boundaries by a Christian counselor author. Someone just pushed that one on me and I couldn't say no.
thecavin: (rimshot)
Kilotravis: are you typing now? add this to the list of questions... latest favorite NY thing (like MOMA, riding the #5, a particular restaraunt, feeding the pidgeons, etc.)
thecavin: Music wise - I just got a new album by LCD Soundsystem. It's dancy, electronic pop, which I don't usually like but it's awesome. I wanna get the new White Stripes, and I love this band called The New Pornographers and can't wait for their new album. It's ok, they are a pop band from Montreal and have nothing to do with actual pornography. Also like the Mountain Goats, Arcade Fire, Belle and Sebastian, and still love Rod Stewart (thanks Miles!). And got an old Steve Martin stand up album recently.
thecavin: yeah I was typing that book of a paragraph above
thecavin: hmmm.
Kilotravis: btw, Boundaries sounds like a really beat-me-down kind of self help.
thecavin: Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Have had people in town and have done that a few times lately and it's amazing. Grimaldi's Pizza underneath is maybe the best pizza in NY.
thecavin: Miles, you can only be beat down if you let someone beat you down
thecavin: Set a boundary for that not to happen.
thecavin: Actually it's really good and not too beat-downy at all.
thecavin: My mom wanted me to read it and I told her I was setting a boundary against her to not read it. But then I gave in.
thecavin: Which is why I should read it.
Kilotravis: I've got a boudary of one hour, so lets move on. how the love of your life?
thecavin: ha
Kilotravis: can I say that on on this thing?
Kilotravis: I'll edit it later (not really)
thecavin: You already did. She's good. She nannies for a family that spends the summer on Fire Island (outside of NY). So she's out of town at the beach 3 days a week. We can hang out again now that the show at UCB is over.
Kilotravis: here comes charlie rose...
thecavin: I wish I had a cooler favorite NY thing. How about....outdoor movies in the summer? I haven't done that yet though.
thecavin: ok
Kilotravis: What is comfortable in your relationship and what is not?
thecavin: Whoa Charlie
thecavin: What do you mean
thecavin: ?
thecavin: (sweating.....bullets....)
Kilotravis: I just mean, there must be something comfortable about the relationship... cooking meals together, sharing interests, etc. and there must be something uncomfortable... also remember this is going on the blog
Kilotravis: and you don't have to answer that.
thecavin: I guess we are really comfortable just hanging out. I work a night job editing video for a website, so I can't hang out 3 nights a week, so we've gotten good at hanging during the day when she's free since her schedule is flexible. And just hanging out as friends.
Kilotravis: I really can edit this

Edited out pg-13 jokes.

thecavin: Uncomfortable is just dealing with schedules i think. we both don't work 9 - 5's so when we talk on the phone at night, i'm at work, so we have to work around it.
thecavin: i can give you a video to post in reference to this question
thecavin: partial nudity
Kilotravis: yes. as long as the part in partial is pg-rated
thecavin: I can put those black bars over stuff
thecavin: just kiddding.

More edited out pg-13 jokes.

Kilotravis: i really am going to have to edit this!
thecavin: i know
thecavin: ha
thecavin: i was just thinking that
thecavin: just leave in the 2 responses to the uncomfortable comfortable question
Kilotravis: ok, so any parting comments?
Kilotravis: Anything that we would be bad friends if we didn't know about eachother?
thecavin: trying to think
thecavin: I have a niece, miss NC, but love NYC, am going to the beach in NC in august and am super excited,
thecavin: go heels!
thecavin: i'm a mets fan now
thecavin: all those can go together i guess
Kilotravis: so any chance we'll see you when you're instate?
Kilotravis: are you flying to Charlotte and then driving
thecavin: not on the beach trip. I fly into Myrtle and back to NYC.
thecavin: It was strangely cheaper that way
thecavin: But I really wanna come back to NC for a longer visit soon
Kilotravis: well we have a guest room so anytime. but for now, I'll catch up again later.
thecavin: That works. Good to talk to you. Kiss the baby and hug the wife for me
thecavin: and tell everyone there hey!