10 Tips For Better Improvisation
By Mike A. Layne
Here are some basic rules of improvisation...
1. ACCEPT INFORMATION: - When you get a piece of information from another Actor, first, accept it as fact and second, add a little bit more information to it.
2. ADD HISTORY -The swiftest way to add reality and depth to a scene is to have the characters call up specifics from their common history.
3. BE VERY SPECIFIC- A more vivid image opens up a rich, new world. Adjectives accelerate scene development.
4. DON’T DENY- Denial is trashing what somebody else has set up or is trying to set up
5. ENTER AND EXIT WITH PURPOSE - Entering, exiting and staying put should have a reason, be justified. This is the purpose of playing the game Entrances and Exits (go figure) in rehearsal.
6. GO LINE FOR LINE - You can almost guarantee a good improvisation if each player: 1) Says just one line and 2) Bases his or her line on the last thing the other character said.
7. MAKING JOKES - Never try to be funny or tell jokes on stage. Humor will arise naturally out of tight relationships and solid, simple plots.
8. RAISE THE STAKES - Scenes that are going nowhere can be much improved by putting more at risk, that is, introducing some large consequence of the wants of a character.
9. QUESTIONS SHOULD GIVE MORE THAN THEY TAKE - Any question can be turned into a statement. The nice thing about statements is that they provide information you and your fellow actor can immediately start building upon.
10. MAINTAIN YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW - If a character starts out adoring spider monkeys, but then decides she hates them 10 minutes later, it may confuse the audience and your fellow actors. They'll be like huh? If you're consistent, then the other actors will best know how to support your character.
By Mike A. Layne
Here are some basic rules of improvisation...
1. ACCEPT INFORMATION: - When you get a piece of information from another Actor, first, accept it as fact and second, add a little bit more information to it.
2. ADD HISTORY -The swiftest way to add reality and depth to a scene is to have the characters call up specifics from their common history.
3. BE VERY SPECIFIC- A more vivid image opens up a rich, new world. Adjectives accelerate scene development.
4. DON’T DENY- Denial is trashing what somebody else has set up or is trying to set up
5. ENTER AND EXIT WITH PURPOSE - Entering, exiting and staying put should have a reason, be justified. This is the purpose of playing the game Entrances and Exits (go figure) in rehearsal.
6. GO LINE FOR LINE - You can almost guarantee a good improvisation if each player: 1) Says just one line and 2) Bases his or her line on the last thing the other character said.
7. MAKING JOKES - Never try to be funny or tell jokes on stage. Humor will arise naturally out of tight relationships and solid, simple plots.
8. RAISE THE STAKES - Scenes that are going nowhere can be much improved by putting more at risk, that is, introducing some large consequence of the wants of a character.
9. QUESTIONS SHOULD GIVE MORE THAN THEY TAKE - Any question can be turned into a statement. The nice thing about statements is that they provide information you and your fellow actor can immediately start building upon.
10. MAINTAIN YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW - If a character starts out adoring spider monkeys, but then decides she hates them 10 minutes later, it may confuse the audience and your fellow actors. They'll be like huh? If you're consistent, then the other actors will best know how to support your character.
