Robert Bateman Improv Team - October 7th, 2010

Hello improvisers

I hope that you'll all enjoying the long weekend!

Knights, Princesses, Kings and Queens

Big ups to Graham and Erin for running this game. It looked like a blast!

I'm not entirely certain what the rules are (or even what the name of the game is, to be honest), so here's what I'll suggest. Graham or Erin, if you post a summary of the game (and any tips or tricks, etc) in the comments section, then I will add it to the main site (i.e. I'll make a new entry for your game). Sound cool?

Beastie Boy

I had a good time with this game. It was fun to see everybody get into the music (Particularly Sahaj). Remember, attitude will get you through this game. Get into the music! Have fun with it! It'll get you moving and having a good time (which will make you less nervous) and it'll be entertaining for the audience.

Here's the version of Fight for your Right that we used:



Now you can practice making up lyrics in the comfort of your own home, car, or swimming pool!

Here are some tips for Beastie Boy:
- Fill up the whole line. Instead of saying "I like cats", try saying "You may like dogs, but I...like...cats!"
- If you're stuck for a rhyme, run through the alphabet. For example, with cat, try thinking "At, Bat, Cat, Drat, Fat", etc.
- Take care of your teammates! Although it might (or might not) get a laugh in the short run, 'claustrophobia' isn't the easiest word to rhyme with (for example). Take care of your teammates!

Now, as a heads up, the video may get pulled due to copyrights, or licensing, or something. In the 'Information' section, I made sure to specify that I didn't write the song (alas). Hopefully that will be enough to keep it up. I suppose we'll find out together.

Try it out!

Goalie

One person (the Goalie) stands downstage center. People enter the scene, one at a time, with a big character and a big offer. The Goalie accepts the offer and a short scene progresses. The person who entered the scene then finds a reason to leave and a different person immediately enters the scene as a different character with a different offer.

The key to this game? Say 'Yes' to everything. Accept the offers you're given. Accept, accept, accept. If you're coming into the scene, play with the goalie! Have a conversation! Explore the offer you're given or are giving!

We'll play this game some more in future sessions. It's a great way to enforce rapid acceptance of different ideas. I wonder how heightened the scenes can become in such a short amount of time?

~

I recently began reading Viola Spolin's Improvisation for the Theatre. Her techniques for teaching improvisation and training improvisers are markedly different from what I've experienced. Perhaps she's saying the same things that I've been told before, but in a way that makes more sense. In any case, I have a variety of new ideas for us to try during our next session.

As always, here is your homework:
1) Reflect! If you're not reflecting, you absolutely should be. Write down your thoughts, feelings, what you liked or disliked, what you were successful at, what you'll take away from each session, etc.
2) Watch videos!
3) Try this exercise: Imagine an object that you're familiar with using. Hold your hands in front of you, palms facing upward. Imagine that the object is placed on your palms. Feel its weight. How heavy is it? How do you hold it? How does your hand feel while holding it? Can you move it easily? How does it affect you? Mime using the object. Be as realistic as possible. Try picking up and using different mimed objects.

Thanks gang, I look forward to our next session!

Cheers,

Cliff