Improv Tips

[@JesseParentGP]

I just love this channel and have been viewing your videos obsessively for the last month. I watched Nick's character creation tip and this one, and there a lot of similarities to Jill Bernard's VAPAPO (Voice, Attitude, Posture, Animal, Prop, Obsession) technique. I've taught that approach and used it for years (especially the VAP part of that acronym) for improv and slam poetry (mostly for persona poems). She has an amazing small book of improv that I've handed out to a lot of folks here in Utah that breaks it down pretty simply.

[@PVImprov]

Jesse - So glad you are enjoying the channel. I am humbled to be in the same comment as Jill Bernard (I am a fan and have her Improv Book too - it is a delight) and Nick Armstrong (a fan of his as well - obvs). I hope these videos add maybe a new spin or a new way of saying something that might help you reach that next student. Thanks for watching.

[@JDLowe]

One of the things I do, and it's something I recommend to newer folk who just want to branch out, is do an impersonation of a celebrity. It doesn't need to be accurate; in fact, the further it is, the better. Inside of everyone's head, when you think of, say, Robert Downey Jr., it's not his voice, it's YOUR voice playing it back. So take that and bring it to the forefront when you're learning how to create. Once you're comfortable with being able to do big broad strokes, then yeah, definitely start thinking of friends, family, people you know in person, because more often than not, celebs have nuance that you might pick up faster when you're getting started. Not saying you SHOULD do this, of course, just that you COULD do this if you're not comfortable at first acting like, say, your mom or dad.

[@PVImprov]

Drawing from a celebrity is a a great idea. If I do that can I write off my subscription for PEOPLE magazine as a business expense? Ha ha! Thanks for sharing and watching. People are going to have a lot of tools to draw on.

[@ByronRTroy]

I sometimes enjoy pulling traits from a specific animal to inform a character. In addition that can also provide you with ways in which the world perceives you. Or how you feel your scene partner sees you

[@PVImprov]

Byron - for sure. Good to know that “animal spines” work I did in my intro to acting class will finally come in handy. I think this is another great way to generate a specific physicality for a character and that animals spirit can novel the mental aspect…in addition to the great things you’re pointing out. Thanks for sharing and watching .

[@ByronRTroy]

@@PVImprov I can do invertebrates too! ;-)

[@PVImprov]

Oh, multi-talented!

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

Great tips, but commenting to say props for the Vision action figure! Also, one way I like to create a character on stage is by imagining the mannerism and ways of fictional character from books or movies who come from a background that makes no sense in the scene so that its not a recognizable copy. So for example, Goose from Top Gun or Daisy Fay Buchanan from The Great Gatsby

[@PVImprov]

Thanks for the props on the Vision. Always one of my faves. Drawing from a fictional character is a great idea and if you’re drawing from a book you probably have a great sense of the characters internal POV. Great suggestion. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching.