Do (Object Work)
Object Work
On an improv stage we usually only have each other and a few chairs. Everything else we make up. We want to treat objects like they are real, with weight size, and volume, use them and put them away like we would real things. Phones aren’t two fingers because that’s not how we hold a real phone. When sweeping with a broom or mopping with a mop, try and keep the handle straight. And try not to let your improv objects disappear into thin air. If you’re holding an improv bottle of beer, you’re holding that beer until you set it down.
The more realistic we treat the object, the more the audience will buy into the illusion. Even if you have real things like phones on your person, still use improv objects. Pay with an improv wallet, take off improv clothes, tie improv shoes, etc. The only real objects you should interact with on an improv stage are the chairs, which can be used for couches, chairs and cars.
Make the Scene About Relationships, Not About Objects
Object work can clearly establish WHERE the scene is taking place, and does a great job of filling in the scene. However, be careful to let scenes be about the people and their relationships more than the objects.
If a dad is working on his improv car while chatting with his son, it would be really easy to get into a scene where he’s teaching car maintenance. But that’s a boring teaching scene. The better option is while showing Jimmy how to change spark plugs, dad confesses “Hey buddy, I’ve got some news for you – your mom and I are splitting up.” while turning a improv ratchet. That is far more interesting!
A to C Instant Brainstorming
We don’t want the audience to get bored with our show. Sometimes we can get into a rut or get stuck on a singular idea over and over again. Audiences like variety. One easy way to get unstuck and generate a new idea on the fly is to A to C it.
So let’s say we get the word ‘grasshopper’ and we have WAY too many scenes that are focused on grasshoppers or we’ve said the word ‘grasshopper’ five times too often. Here’s how you can fix that:
It’s as simple as saying to yourself:
“Grasshopper (A) makes me think of legs (B), which makes me think of shaving (C). I’m going to start the next scene by shaving my legs.”
We’ve now created a brand new thread for the show.
You can easily keep a show fresh continually by watching the previous scene, picking something out of it to A to C, and then spinning off in a new direction.
Show Format: A to C
Chaining Scenes
Start with a word from the audience to directly inspire some silent object work and a strong emotion. Someone else joins, also silent and also with their own emotion. Make eye contact and name each other (bonus points for also naming the relationship). The Who What and Where are now taken care of so have a nice scene together. Wipe when the scene hits a funny button line (or if it meanders).
The next person who starts, ask them to sum up the scene before in one word. Now have them do a quick A to C out loud. This makes me think of, which makes me think of.
“Pizza makes me think of cheese and cheese makes me think of dairy – I’ll milk a cow!”
Tell them they can use the B or the C to inspire their object work and emotion for the next scene. Assign someone else to join them silently.
Silent object work + emotion + name each other + talking. Continue to string these together until the timer is done and declare THAT’S OUR SHOW!!
Do > Feel >
Know > Say
For Intro, we’re going to strive to start scenes with the following. These are not the only way to start scenes, and we’ll drop this as people get more comfortable, but this is a great set of training wheels as you get used to starting improv scenes, which for many is the biggest hurdle.
It’s super easy: Do > Feel > Know > Say > Play
DO: Object Work
We’ll dive more deeply into Object Work in Week 3, but it’s simply making up chores that utilize improv objects in a scene. Dig a hole. Fold laundry. Work on a car. Stand on the shore fishing. As long as you are interacting with real objects in this part of the scene, you’re good!
Do establishes WHERE you are in the scene pretty solidly.
Simply come out and start silently do object work for a few seconds. Don’t worry about what to say yet.
FEEL: Emotions
As you silently start digging that hole, think about how your character feels at this moment. Are they happy? Are they angry? Show that emotion. Emotions + Object Work = Gold!
Make the emotion big so it’s clear to the other person as they enter the stage. Continue to do your thing silently and with full emotions.
The second person now enters the stage area and joins you silently in that activity – either do the same thing or something that goes along with it. They will have their own emotion towards this as well. It can be the same emotion or it can be completely different – both will create a fun dynamic.
DO and FEEL this silently together for around 10 to 20 seconds.
KNOW: Relationship
Characters should almost always know each other. You can have a perfectly fine scene between total strangers, but you can get to the meat of the scene much faster if the characters know each other well and have opinions of the other person.
Naming the other character, or naming the relationship is a great way to establish that history together.
Once the Object Work and Emotions are underway with both characters, pause and make eye contact for a second or two and then state the other character’s first name or establish the relationship. Also let the name be inspired by the scene – try not to pre-plan or use in-real-life names.
Let the emotion come through in that naming.
“Samuel…” “Stacy…”
“Mother…” “Ethan…”
“Johnson…” “Mr. Stern…”
“Newman…” “Jerry…
Naming goes a long way towards establishing that the characters know each other and have a relationship. Going even further by establishing if they are friends, neighbors, family members, spouses, co-workers, etc. is a gift that will fuel the scene.
SAY: Sentence
Once the Object Work and Emotions have been established, and the characters have named each other (or named the relationship), pause for a beat and then either character can start talking.
Normal everyday conversation is best with improv. Resist the urge to say something crazy or ‘funny’. Just talk and react honestly. Trust the Yes-And process. The funny stuff WILL happen!
Video: The Invisible Props Department
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert did an excellent bit on object work.
Improv Games
Here are descriptions of some of the improv games that were played this week if you want to share them with friends and family!
Snap Pass
Throw a snap to another person in the circle. That person catches with one snap, then throws to someone else with a second snap. Keep throwing the snap around the room for awhile. People usually start to get creative with it after the first few throws. This is Yes-Anding without words!