Remember this Simpsons bit with Krusty about hemorrhoids and riding bikes? That "I can ride a bike again!" idea jumps into my head a lot (more often than a person should really think about hemorrhoids...probably). I think about it in conjunction with that "It's just like riding a bike" expression used to refer to an […]
I recorded the session of my Patterns & Games class at The Coalition Theater in which we tackled the My 3 Rules game I've previously presented as a warm-up. One, the camera's distance makes it hard for the viewer to really track the game in play. Two, oh, man, looking for a drinking game? Watch […]
Detective, a house team at The Coalition Theater, created an Opening inspired by this scene from Black Dynamite where wild associative leaps serve to solve a crime. [wpvideo 2f2vbo0R] The Opening generates a lot of Details for them to inspire future scenes. The big jumps showcase individual's humor and building on one another showcases their […]
Gretchen Glaeser introduced me to Zane Adickes' "Damn, they call it like they see it!" warm-up tonight. And, well, I see it as a damn fine warm-up. Looking for an activity to practice individual silo-building through an emotional perspective as well as the pacing between individual contributions and group agreement? Try "They call it like […]
One Person Scene. Two Person Scene. Three Person Scene. Four Person Scene. Five Person Scene. Six Person Scene. Five Person Scene. Four Person Scene. Three Person Scene. Two Person Scene. One Person Scene. Or... One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person Scene. One Person […]
Repetition of an interaction establishes expectations for the audience. These expectations can be played to and against for fun effect. As a precursor to Help Desk Games, the short-form improv game Genres can help us practice pacing in repetition of an interaction, and help us flex our memory muscles. [videopress p2AZlu6o] [wpvideo bLwOT0Yc] [wpvideo oMGPUgED] […]
Repetition of relationship mechanics (“This” then “That”) establishes expectations for the audience. These expectations can be played to and against for fun effect. Looking for a warm-up to practice playing with expectations? Try Foreign Dubbing! [wpvideo O7SmvMk9] Performers are: David Adams, Guy Chapman, Patrice Deveaux, Micah Head, Alan Hopkinson, Nick Lawton, Megan Lemay, Jillian MacDougall, […]
The rhythm with which a game’s mechanic is played helps pace the scene and build it toward an edit. The relationship between “When this happens” “this happens” is useful not only to focus improvisers’ choices but it also connects with the audience. In Short Form, where the mechanics of the “game” are told to the […]
Tonight pre-show The Coalition taught me three new warm-up games. I loved them. I don't know who came up with them but thank you whoever you are. Here's The Deal. Yes, And. I Know, Right?! I Need Three Things Chain. Hype People Here's the evolving list of Warm-up exercises.
We want to avoid conflict, debate and negotiation in our improv scenes. The audience knows we're making it up - building something from nothing - they don't want to see us arguing over imagined reality; they want to see us react to an accepted reality. What's the best way to avoid arguing? Acceptance! Agreeing to […]