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RULES AND GAMES OF IMPROV! Improv is achieved by playing different games. Within those games, if you follow the rules, then improv is fun and funny for everyone. Remember that with no props, and no set and no background information, the most important goal of improv is to get out information about who you are to each other; what is going on and where you are. What follows are my class notes from the Groundlings. Improv is like a house built by the columns; WHO WHAT WHERE 1. Who - relationship between people . People who care about each other; also who you are as a character; names.
2. WHAT - activity
3. WHERE - Physical Environment. Be specific. Use detail. WHO + WHAT + WHERE + WHY - WHY WILL HAPPEN.
5 WAYS TO ADD INFORMATION
DIALOGUE SPACE WORK EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS CHARACTERS STAGE MOVEMENT
5 WAYS TO GET ACROSS INFO 1. SPACEWORK Give everything (objects) their space Give objects integrity Spacework helps to find the where 2. Emotional Choices Everything BIG x10 Commit to Choices Emotional Choices help to find the WHO 3. Character CHOICE Someone different than you Talk slower; Talk louder Different point of view 4. CHANGING STAGE PURPOSE If you move - Move with a purpose If you don’t’ have to move - plant yourself 5. DIALOGUE *Eye contact most important Dialogue: Don’t ask questions. Supply information instead. Denial - Don’t deny them. YES AND You make assumptions about them. Always choose to know; high *hoice to know the people you are on stage with. Be very specific. SPACEWORK: Respond to spacework - don’t deny - don’t walk through props; don’t drop props
Building is so important Be universal with spacework. Don’t do it the way you do it. Do it the way everyone does it.
EMOTIONS: Show you care about a situation. Emotional response adds to the scene CHARACTERS: STAGE MOVEMENT: Work with it go along with it - Don’t deny movement Incorporate everything into scene. Heighten your awareness.
No one can talk if someone else is talking
1. Don’t’ Deny - Always say YES AND... You’re drinking again! Yes and I’m doing heroin too! Watch Denying emotionally - not good 2. Don’t ask questions No such thing as a bad call 3. Don’t play strangers 4. Don’t teach, instruct or control
The flip side is to be not knowing - that’s not good
Don’t argue or bargain There is a difference between arguing and conflict Arguing - no new information Conflict - Keep adding new information
Get EMOTIONAL Don’t keep secrets CONFESS
Get info out Don’t stall Don’t play children or crazy person or person on drugs Information with these characters is not reliable Not communicating Don’t go for lowest factor - sex, fart, cursing
Do Assume and Volunteer Information Take Risks Do Commit 100 Do everything times 10 Be in agreement Do have eye contact HAVE FUN!!
The foundation of the Scene goes in TWO lines
WHO & WHAT WHO & WHERE
Scenes are always happening when - THIS IS THE DAY THAT XXX happened - Something big or cataclysmic is happening on this day that the skit is depicting
Don’t calm people down when they’re upset
Don’t be tentative.
Never have judgment on yourself or anyone else
Fourth Wall Down stage - front center stage Up stage - back
Right & Left are improvs R& L
Stages used to slow upwards so upstage was the back and down stage was the front
You’re not supposed to know what’s going on ; Get comfortable on stage; Focus on each other; Make mistakes; Don’t Judge yourself Use Loaded Names Bartholomew Lady Carmichael
Make use of traits Behavioural Physical Vocal
Love your premise See the Room - 4th wall Be very clear with your intent |
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