What Really Makes for Successful Improv?

Today we had our 4th improv class at UCB. We learned about characters, leading with different parts of the body and how the physical trait can help us develop a scene because the process isn't cerebral, it's physical. That makes sense because then you are more flexible to go with whatever your partner throws at you. We are also doing mini scenes and laughing a lot more. We also played with status of characters, which is a little more complex and definitely more subtle, but it can really enrich and change the dynamic of a scene. i.e. A high status boss and low status employee vs. high status employee and low status boss. It changes the whole scene when the boss is played more insecure and the employee is confident and driving. Make sense?

Anyway, we went to the BEST IMPROV SHOW I"VE SEEN THUS FAR!!!! Wow, like wow. This is the show that inspired me. I just want to do lots of improv to do what these improvisers pulled off tonight. We saw Bangarang first then Happy F***ing Memorial Day. It was fun because we had a group of 6 from our class all go together, so we were able to debrief about what made the show so successful. Where do I start? Both teams were very tight. There wasn't a single lull the entire show, what?? I know, right. They listened to each other and the other thing they really did was immediately clarify everything. If there was a small confusion or even the suspicion of confusion, they would NOT move on until the confusion was completely resolved so that everyone was on the same page. After everything was clear, the next moment could occur. So it really is listening and making sure you are very clearly communicating with your partner, even if lamens terms are necessary. The second group was two guys that played a long monoscene and they jumped back and forth between eight or so different characters. It's a goo structure because whenever suspicion of a lull occurs, they can just add another character to the scene. It did take a lot of focus and memory because they would transition so quickly. In class today we did mirroring your partners character, so the timing was perfect as well. The other thing is that you have to TOTALLY commit to whatever you're doing. No insecurity, no apologies. If it's flopping terribly, you commit even more and that is usually funny anyway. Also, specificity of choice is important. The walk, the accent, the philosophy as specific as possible is a huge aid as well. It was very exciting to see really amazing improv. I am still trying to figure out how it all happened so wonderfully. But this is definitely a turning point for me. This is what I can strive to achieve, in my own special way of course. The biggest factor is probably just doing it as much as possible. Practice makes better haha.

It makes me feel like I can do this, like acting is closer, more achieveable. It's important to see things done well and to see them with other passionate artists. I could do this every day, live like this and it makes my LA life I've dreamed of not seem as far off and ridiculous as it once did. Beginning of Summer 2011, right after I graduated, I remember driving past downtown La on the way to the Getty and the city looked so huge and distant and scary and intimidating. And the day has finally come when I look at it with excitement as I pass by on the 10 freeway. It's not so intimidating now. My perspective is shifting and that's important! Something to celebrate. The baby steps.