The following is an excerpt from our book, The 5 Elements of Improv Improvisation has the inherent advantage of not being time-bound; we can move freely backward and forward, leaping through the time stream in the wink of an eye. With this freedom comes the danger of losing the progressive aspect of our story; no […]
In this follow-up to “How Powerful Choices Beat Questions“, we explore when and how questions can be “not bad”. Re-reading an earlier post on this blog, How Powerful Choices Beat Questions, we may have left the reader with the impression that we believe all questions are to be avoided. “It cannot be said questions by nature are
How to keep your characters real The best comedies all have one thing in common: the characters who populate the story take everything that happens absolutely seriously. Whether they are busting Zuul, attempting to land a pilot-less airplane, or questing for the Holy Grail, they do so with a mindset of absolute sober sincerity. Whether
How to figure out the “What” of improv. If you’re looking for a book to help you learn the “How” of improv, there are dozens of them out there. If you are, instead, looking for the “What” of improv, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything of any depth, at least anything specifically designed for
The art of avoiding unproductive questions The magical characteristic of improv is its amorphous nature. Improv, unlike other forms of theatre, is unconstrained by rigid structural limitations. Stage actors play within boundaries; Improv actors play with boundaries. Every list of “The Rules of Improv” we’ve seen includes some version of “Don’t ask questions.” Questions, they state with emphatic certitude, are bad. It
As with any art form, getting better at improv takes time, effort, and keen observation skills. For all intents and purposes, improv is a communal art. You can only become a competent improviser if you find at least one other person willing to play with you. This does not, however, preclude you from doing some of
When it comes to scene starters, you are never constrained by time, space, or any other mundane concerns. As we mention in our book, The 5 Elements of Improv, “The point to be made here is that with improv you are limited only by yourself. You can quite literally do anything in a scene. You can be anything. You can go anywhere.” Keep this in
As a two-person group, we can tell you with confidence that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of games that can be played with two people Here’s a sampling of some of our favorites (and how, if necessary, we’ve adapted them) Take a look at games that are traditionally played with several people and see
Ask 25 improvisers what the secret is and you’ll get 50 different answers In our book, The 5 Elements of Improv, we outline the major points that serve to enhance and develop the improv experience, taking your scenes to the next level. These are by no means the only strategies for great improv, but they are among
