Members Engage with Sitcom Fundamentals

On Aug. 6, the San Francisco-Northern California Local Conservatory Committee hosted a sitcom workshop with renowned actor and studio coach Giovannie Espiritu. Participants learned about comedic rhythm, wheelhouse characters and the differences between multicamera and single-camera comedy.

Attendees also learned how to find the musical score in comedy and were led through several rhythmic exercises to understand comedic timing. As an exercise, participating performers were given scripts and tasked to find jokes and transitions. The class concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which actors asked about the transition from the acting market in San Francisco to the one in Los Angeles, headshot photography, how to find the perfect agent and tips for self-taping demo reels.

Performers came from as far as Sacramento and Sonoma counties to attend the workshop. Actor Martin Luther McCoy, who attended the event, said, “The instructor was absolutely incredible; [it was] the best SAG-AFTRA meeting I have ever attended.” 

Espiritu came directly from the set of a short film in Oakland to teach the workshop. “I think it’s important for actors to continually be training and expanding their skills in this industry since it’s so competitive. I’m thankful that SAG-AFTRA makes these events available. The S.F. office has helped me personally when I booked a principal role on a national commercial and the production gave my pay to another actor — the [union’s] office straightened it out for me. This is just my way of giving back,” Espiritu said.

Photo: Workshop teacher Giovannie Espiritu (seated, center) and member participants gather at the San Francisco-Northern California Local for the Aug. 6 conservatory workshop titled Simple Sitcom Basics with Giovannie Espiritu. Top row, from left, Benny Buettner, Martin Luther McCoy, Galen Wathen, Chad Sibilia, Heather Robison, Jimi Wheeler and Scott Ragle. Bottom row, from left, Latasha Burleson, Rose Aispuro and Bebe Conrad.