Robert Bateman Improv Team - October 1st, 2010

Hello improvisers

I am pleased to see that there are several new comments posted on my reflection from Monday! That is wonderful! I will read them all and provide feedback.

On to Friday's practice.

There's nothing better...

I believe it was Luke Skywalker (read: the comment poster, not the Jedi) who suggested I bring my guitar to Improv to teach everybody my number one hit, "Beard with a Fork." As I read Luke's suggestion, I thought, 'Sure, why not?' I figured that, since I would have my guitar, I could continue on to teach everybody my favourite Improv game.

Do Ron Ron

Do Ron Ron is based off of a song released by The Crystals in the 1960s. Here is the original song:



Remember, the pattern is:

Ba ba ba badda badda ba
Da doo ron ron ron, Da doo ron ron
Ba ba ba badda badda ba
Da doo ron ron ron, Da roo ron ron
Budda buh buh
Yeah, badda ba ba ba
Budda buh buh
Yeah, badda ba ba ba
Budda buh buh
Yeah, budda ba ba ba
Da doo ron ron ron, Da doo ron ron


Did that make sense to you? Yeah, me neither. But there you have it anyway.

You took to this game like a duck takes to water. It was wonderful. I don't think I've felt more like a rockstar than when I stood in the center and played for everybody. We will play this game many more times, as it is always a blast. (Furthermore, I have yet to teach you the 'Expert Version' of Do Ron Ron. That will be fantastic.)

Panel of Experts


This game is relatively simple. Four people are experts on a subject. The host asks the experts about the subject. The experts accept offers, listen to each other, and create a wonderful and bizarre scene.

Don't preplan things. It doesn't matter if somebody says something that isn't true. Regardless of what they say, it will become true for your scene. The only way you can confuse people is if you say something that is in opposition to the reality that you and your teammates have already established.

So, just have fun with it. Respond honestly. Let your teammates share the spotlight. If you notice that someone hasn't said anything for a while, that's fine: Don't force your teammates into speaking. (That'll get them into their head like nothing else.) If you feel like speaking, great. If not, that's not a problem. Just roll with what's already been established. No one is asking you to change the entire course of the game. Just add a little bit to what's already been established. (Hmm...makes me think of the Canadian Improv Games' Story event...)

Although this game is not about character work or development, it was interesting to see the characters that people brought up. I also loved how people in the audience introduced themselves as members of the groups they established. That was exceptional. Talk about sticking to the established reality!

It was really funny when Chad stood up and said, "Hi, I'm Chad from Cat Baseball League." Dang, you got me.

Dr Know-it-All

Just like 'Word-at-a-Time Letter', Dr Know-it-All has improvisers developing responses one word at a time. The results are often truthful and hilarious.

Now, although I don't necessarily like to impose rules upon improvisers, I will strongly suggest that you don't preplan in this game. And I will extra strongly suggest that you avoid directly whispering words to say to your teammates. That's just silly.

I'll be perfectly honest here. Whatever joke it is you think you're cooking up when you're telling your teammates to say things won't be funny. It's as simple as that. You'll be more successful if you let things flow out organically. Plus, your teammates will like you more. (Going for the joke is in no way supportive of your teammates. In fact, it's pretty dang selfish. And notably less effective, to boot!)

So, just let things happen. Your ideas will get changed around when you're playing this game, and that is totally cool. If your turn comes around and there seems to be a word that fits perfectly, just say it! Don't think that you're not being clever by saying the obvious choice. In fact, the audience will think you more clever for saying the obvious choice. It's true! Keith Johnstone says it best: Obvious is original.

~

I believe that's everything. As always, your homework:

1) Reflect! Not for me, but for yourself! Reflection is an extremely powerful learning tool. Use it!
2) Watch Improv! If you find a cool video, share it in the comments section!
3) Remember to come to the October 21st Improv Workshop! Blakelock is tentatively confirmed! It will be facilitated by my Improv troupe, Moist Theatre! There will be lunch provided by the food school! It will be amazing! Exclamation marks!

Thanks for reading, improvisers!

Cheers,

Cliff