Intro to Improv Week 5 - Game
Game
Patterns
For Intro we focus on patterns for game but it can also be heightening, emotional reactions, emotion shifts, etc, etc. (all of which we dig into in future classes).
Discover patterns such as catch phrases, movements, etc. We forced them a bit in the class exercises to show how and why they work, but, when doing scenes, it is always best to stumble upon them naturally (and you won’t always have them). As stated above, you will know you’ve found it when the audience reacts strongly.
Patterns can also have variations. The rule is if you do it the exactly the same the second time as the first, then do it exactly the same the third time – if different the second time, then make it equally different the third time.
Let patterns breathe for awhile in between returning to them. It gives them more weight if you let there be around 30 seconds or more between coming back to them.
Rule of Threes
If you find something that the audience clearly likes, do it again, and then do it again for a total of three. Game usually happens best in threes. If you have a pattern, do it three times. If heightening do it three times. Return to scenes in threes. Our brains like the number three and find it entertaining and satisfying.
Multiples of three also work, so if you go beyond three, go ahead and make it six. If beyond six, go to nine.
Heightening
Heightening is when you make something bigger and more extreme, and then make it even bigger and more extreme again. This is why starting grounded and normal in scenes is important, because it gives you space to heighten to the weird and crazy things.
Not great example of heightening:
I bought a boat.
I bought two boats.
I bought three boats.
Great example of heightening:
Guess what? I bought a boat!
Guess what? I bought a yacht!!
Guess what? I bought a cruise ship!!!
Improv Video of the Week
Community's Three-Season Beetlejuice Joke (Rule of Threes)
One of the most patient Rule of Threes example took three seasons for the payoff. Watch the background after the third mention.
Improv Exercises
Squirrel Nut Tree
Circle game. Three people form a triptych together. First person out says “I’m a Squirrel” and puts their body in the shape of a squirrel. 2nd person says “I’m a Nut” and takes the shape of a nut. 3rd person says “I’m a Tree” and takes the shape of a tree. The person who was out there first (or longest) says who stays and the other two return to the circle (let’s say Tree for the example). The person remaining then says their own thing again “I’m a Tree” and two more people come out to join them doing something that goes along with a Tree that is neither a Squirrel or a Nut this time. (example “I’m a swing” and “I’m a leaf”). Person out longest says who stays and repeat again. Note: You’ll often have to remind the first person to say theirs again to get the pattern going, remind the one out there the longest to keep one, and also encourage them to keep it flowing and not leave anyone out there by themselves for long.
For the last one, find an easy one to have all of the class pile on to finish it off.