Intro to Improv Week 3 Overview: Object Work - Reflex Improv: Make a Scene

Intro to Improv Week Three: Object Work (Do)

OBJECT WORK EXPLANATION

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 OBJECT WORK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS, NOT THE 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!

INITIATING A SCENE WITH OBJECT WORK

For new improvisers, we will start object work scenes the following way: One person comes out and silently starts doing a chore involving objects. A second person comes out and joins them silently in that activity, either doing the exact same thing, or something they think goes along with it. After a few seconds of silence, check in with eye contact, then either person can start talking.

If the second person is unsure what the first person is doing, they can join them by doing the exact same thing. If they are inspired, they can name what they think it is, which might surprise everyone.

Try to actually interact with improv objects rather than engaging in dance or yoga moves – those can be awkward and tough to play. Also, don’t just supervise, get in there and do something with the other person.

Even though you are interacting with objects, the scene is still about the people in it. Whatever it is your doing, the relationship is more important.

Intro to Improv Exercises

Snap Pass

Throw a snap to someone else in the circle. That person catches it with a snap and then throws it to someone else with a snap (it’s okay if people can’t make the noise of a snap – the motion is enough).

Two snaps: One to catch and the other to pass.

This continues. After a few snaps, the group usually gets very creative with it, and start treating it like a real object. When the snap comes back to the teacher, take a pause and ask people if they were seeing it? What helped with the illusion? What broke the illusion? Continue on and encourage the class to have fun with it.

Video of the Week

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert: Invisible Props Department

A hilarious sketch from several years back with a backstage tour of where Stephen’s staff keeps his ‘invisible props’. Lots of great examples of object work are in this clip!