Improvisation

You are to copy all notes in BLUE.

What is Improvisation? Acting without a script

Improvisation isn’t just “making it up as you go along.” There is freedom, but within structured guidelines.

Improvisation Guidelines You Need a Plot (beginning/middle/end)!

You can plan your basic plot before you begin.

Improvisation Guidelines Before you begin, you should know:

who you are (and how you will portray that character to the audience)

what you want what your relationship is to the other character(s)

Improvisation Guidelines Stay in character

“Breaking character” occurs when you do or say something that is inconsistent with the role you are creating.

Concentrate fully to avoid laughing at yourself or others in your scene, which is one of the most common causes of breaking character.

Make sure your character’s physical and vocal characteristics remain consistent throughout your scene.

Improvisation Guidelines It’s all about “Give and Take”

It doesn’t matter who goes first. All actors must participate in the dialogue. Be careful not to dominate the scene by doing all of

the talking. You also need to be careful not to be too quiet (your

partner needs you to work with them)!

Improvisation Guidelines Listen Carefully!

Listen carefully to what is being said and respond appropriately.

Do not plan ahead what you are going to say or do. When you really listen to your scene partner(s), you

will be surprised how easy it is to think of something to say in response.

Improvisation Guidelines Keep the dialogue moving

Long periods of silence, unless filled with action, are boring to the audience.

Improvisation Guidelines Avoid “scene killer” words or phrases.

Responses such as “No,” “OK” and “So?” stop the dialogue.

These phrases make it difficult for the other players in the scene to continue the conversation or action.

Try to give others in your scene something to build upon or even better, something that moves your scene along.

Improvisation Guidelines Avoid yes-or-no answer questions.

If you must ask questions, it is much better to ask open-ended questions that require explanations, not just one-word answers.

“Why are you wearing my hat?” is better than “Are you wearing my hat?” It gives other players an easy opening into the conversation.

Improvisation Guidelines ACCEPT ALL OFFERS.

Avoid negating something that your scene partner(s) have established with responses like, “That’s not right,” or “No, it’s not.”

These responses make it difficult to do much more than argue.

Arguments are only interesting when they change somehow, not when they just go back and forth.

Improvisation Guidelines BEGIN WITH CONFIDENCE!

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfwfXXCV9XE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvi3_tGb_1c

In a written response using your notes from the PowerPoint, evaluate how well the actors in the chosen clips follow the rules of improvisation. You may discuss this with a partner but both are required to submit a response.