How to Add Information to a Scene - Groundlings

This is from my first class of level one. This list is so old school and mathematical. I love it. It's so standard, yet I forget that adding information/details can be as simple as doing these following things. 

1. Space Work - Immediately begin a scene working with something. "Grab. Label. Respect." is the Groundlings rule. Pick something up. Figure out what it is. And care about it. 

2. Emotional Adjustment - Pick something to care about. Especially works if the scene isn't going anywhere. 

3. Character - Have a point of view. Don't play yourself. Don't play crazy. Don't play a straight man. 

4. Movement - Cross. Don't stand just where you've been standing. Interact with the environment.

5. Dialog - the most obvious way to get information out. 

Isn't this interesting? I don't agree with all. But it's interesting. 

One Idea, One Comment

"The basic idea of one idea, one comment, is that whoever speaks first in an improvised scene has created the what of the scene. The next person to speak, the partner, provides the comment to the what.

Person one: I think it's a beautiful day.

Person two: I couldn't agree with you more. Beautiful days make me happy.

In this case the idea is: I think it's a beautiful day. The comment is: I agree and it makes me happy.

Technically, those two ideas, that the day is pretty and that the other person happily agreed is all this scene needs to be about. From this point forward, it is all about heightening that idea. And exploring it.

In short, focus right out of the gate on what is being said and how you feel about it. It is an artificial way to get you to express your point of view early in a scene, and then stick to it."

Post #1

Matt Craig has been saying a lot of really great things. I want to write them down here. And anyone can post anything they want about improv.
I made it now so only we can read this. That way people won't steal material from Matt and try to write his book about improv before him.
I hope people don't think I'm stupid.
I have a desk job! There's nothing to do!!!