Friday 20 April 2012

Improv Factoids

Improv Facts: There are more then I thought
You can find more at  https://www.facebook.com/SuddenDeathImprov
  • You’ll get better with age 
  • Saying “yes” doesn’t always work 
  • Yelling makes you loud, not necessarily funny 
  • People will pay more then $5.00 to see an improv show 
  • Eventually we will not have to say "It's like Whose Line is it Anyway" 
  • You must continue to work on yourself as a person to work on yourself as an improviser 
  • You'll never be perfect but you'll always be awesome 
  • Improv is theatre 
  • If you are the last one to get the joke, you are doing it right 
  • You must accomplish your goals without making it your objective 
  • Trying to make the audience laugh will eventually end in disappointment. 
  • (provided by Tony from @UnexpectedImpro): Melanie Blue ate Del Close's ashes 
  • If you take your shoe off the audience will expect you to take your pants off 
  • Mimed tables and doors are never in the same exact spot twice 
  • Without an audience it's a workshop 
  • If you're half naked in a show, we won't be watching the scene. Sometimes that's okay! 
  • Some of the most beautiful improvised scenes have come from what some consider a mistake
  • Improvisers have skills that help them succeed on stage. People with improv skills have a better chance succeeding in life. 
  • You have to work at being present. Not work at being clever
  • If you NEVER take spatula, it's not over done
  • Doing something funny in a bar, with your friends, when you're drunk does not make you an improviser
  • Doing improv is awesome for your soul
  • You gotta look after you before you can help anyone else. 
  • All the characters you play are only as smart as you.
  • “If you suck at email and don’t put in your availability, you don’t get to play!” Matt H
  • Someone in the world is talking about improv right now, and now, aaaaand now!
  • Anything can be related to improv. ANYTHING!
  • Not everyone is good at it but everyone can benefit from it!
  • Sometimes shows are tough. You just can't get it right, fall flat, suck, bite the big one, crap out, and that’s okay.
  • Improv isn’t magic but we can keep letting them think it is!
  • You’ll always have questions. There may not be answers. 
  • You don’t have to speak the same language to understand each other
  • Quote- Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it. -Mark Twain.
  • A party full of improvisers is a party full of crazy people! Crazy fun people.
  •  The audience wants to see you do it. Not hear you talk about it.
  • Improvisers are a unique breed.
  • Self doubt can either hold you back or help push and drive you forward!  
  • The audience sees more then you. 
  • Your brain is always doing work. You just gotta trust it, ignore it and let it do it's thang! 
  • Quote: Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it. Bruce Lee  
  • There is no erasing, starting over, time outs or re-dos. (unless it's in the scene…) 
  • There are no certainties. Well there aren't, right? RIGHT?  
  • What's funny today, may not be funny tomorrow. 
  • Improv challenges should be fun, positive, and rewarding.  
  • An amazing improv show doesn't necessarily translate to video all that well. 
  • Inspiration is usually found when you aren't looking for it.  
  • "You can't "yes and" without listening first." Tim Greger 
  • "I am an improviser" Mario Gomez  
  • "People who practice improv on a daily basis live 70% longer. Estimate founded in Italian institute of improv." Ollie 
  • The beauty is in the imperfection and impermanence. 
  • "Try to remember the audience wants to be on your side" Susie  
  • Dads deserve more then one day. 
  • The love of it makes you tired and happy  
  • "It's all about flow" Jef while we sit at Annoyance 
  • improvised Shakespeare isn't about the thou and thou art. It's about the timing. Great show tonight 
  • Quote: "Real living is living for others." Bruce Lee 
  • There are no true improv factoids. Just fun quips and and conversation starters  
  • Really REALLY listening can sometimes hurt the brain 
  • Going against the grain takes longer but can reap the biggest rewards.  
  • You don't necessarily learn much about improv while working construction 
  • A group of improvisers makes for a great second family.  
  • You listen better with your ears, then you do with your mouth
  • You can say a million things with just one look
  • Sometimes you just gotta let go!
  • Being strong also means giving in.
  • You can't f@$k up something that you build from nothing. It will always be something.
  • You can't dig yourself out of a hole. All you can do is wait and grow out of it.
  • It takes team work to do a solo scene.
  • Sometimes you have to commit to nothing.
  • Anyone can attempt improv.
  • Improv is able to open up many opportunities and positive things in your life. You just have to say yes to them.
  • A good offer is a confident choice and or action.
  • You'll continue to be surprised
  • Spending time together off stage creates great dynamic onstage
  • Inspiration is usually found when you aren't looking for it.
  • It's equally as hard for those that do 2 much on stage 2 hold back as it is for those that stay in the back 2 push forward.
  • To improvise you should try be controlled, alert and positive.
  • You're only as good as what you're doing right now.
  •  Improv is a fickle mistress.
  • Improv is able to open up many opportunities and positive things in your life. You just have to say yes to them.
  • Let your truth shine through each character.
  • You can't be clever. You have to be smart.
Improv skills are like hockey skills. We learn to skate and handle the puck so we can play the game.
 Keep it simple.

Prepare for the worst so you can play your best.