Keegan-Michael Key Has the Perfect Metaphor for Improv

Key & Peele's Keegan-Michael Key describes how to establish and delight with an improvisation.
If you liked this video, there's a lot more where it came from. This is a small excerpt from a much longer conversation that you can watch right here: offcamera.com/i...
Get the Keegan-Michael Key issue of the magazine HERE: shop.offcamera....
Want More Off Camera? offcamera.com
The Off Camera Show is the KZbin channel for Off Camera with Sam Jones. Subscribe now to be updated on the latest videos: bit.ly/1K3VAC9
For full Off Camera episodes, visit offcamera.com
Get Social With Us:
On Facebook: / theoffcamera. .
On Twitter: / offcamerashow
On Instagram: / offcamerashow
On KZbin: / theoffca. .
Follow Sam Jones on Twitter: / samjones

[@ianmoone7381]

He would have made an amazing teacher. In less than less than 3 minutes he was able to articulate improvisation in a way that is easily accessible and makes so much sense. I hated improv for the longest time because I had shitty teachers who couldn't explain the simple concept of world-building and just ushered their students on stage and told them to be funny without sufficient explanation as to how that could be achieved. I'm starting to feel a lot more confident about performing improv after having listened to his thoughtful observations. Thanks, Keegan.

[@thequeenundisputed]

Ian Moone it's been 11 months since you wrote this comment, has this perspective impacted your improv in that time?

[@tommyblade8093]

Ian Moone I didn't understand what he was talking about.. first of..what's improv? What does it mean? XD

[@firewheels90]

It is so good, Ian! Sooo good!

[@beastmasterbg]

@@tommyblade8093 think about a cube you make the cube a size you want a color you want and then do whatever you want in the cube.

[@tommyblade8093]

@@beastmasterbg ah thx

[@Alex-wi4mu]

He just broke down or revealed the construction of such an iconic sketch. A lot of people like to say comedy is some mystical thing but it's such a careful manipulation of perception. It's painting with abstraction. So beautiful.

[@liammccarthy9388]

Almost all sketches/jokes can be broken down to a really simple observation, you just fill in the in-between with your own style

[@intello8953]

It’s kind of sad because Key and Peele didn’t create that sketch 😩

[@Alex-wi4mu]

@@intello8953 show me the carfax.

[@simonsofowora418]

I love his energy. He's always so enthusiastic and full of life.

[@natechenry]

@Luxury Brown you find someone being full of life and having enthusiasm in doing what they do annoying and "intrusive"? You really need a reality check, that's a problem, on you, not them.

[@MrPickles1987]

@@natechenry They just bitter folks. I would pay them no mind. He's clearly articulate, confident, and enjoys his craft and what he's talking about. He likes to share his craft and I really respect that. Always gonna be people like Luxury Brown that take the proverbial dump on things or other people because of their insecurity.

[@Jsuarez6]

Well, he is solar powered.

[@eme.261]

He's a golden retriever, all day, every day. It's adorable.

[@ibrahimquraishi5775]

Did improv for 5 years and that's the best synopsis I've ever heard.

[@AndyKnode]

I love this perspective of "backing up" in a scene, to remove the need to think faster. Well put Keegan-Michael Key. Cheers!

[@rwebiscool]

This is perfection. What a well-spoken man too.

[@coreymorgan6000]

What a bright, articulate performer Key is. I've backed up and formed a wider world view of the talent he brings.

[@LootFragg]

I saw what you did there when I backed up and formed a wider view of the comment you wrote.

[@TheSmeagel123z]

The way he explains that is just incredibly brilliant him and Jordan have incredible minds

[@longtimelistenerfirsttimec5860]

Love both Key and Peele, and particularly love Key and his commitment to improv. His explanation of what improv is (which he learned when he took improv) was taken from Keith Johnstone's book, "Impro," which I am sure Key is very familiar with. The quote is below, but Key clearly has internalized his understanding of improv and the possibilities it allows for - his basketball metaphor is a good one since improv is more akin to sports than anyone who's not an improviser realizes. He does it very well! Here's the Johnstone quote, "“The improviser has to be like a man walking backwards. He sees where he has been, but he pays no attention to the future. His story can take him anywhere, but he must still ‘balance’ it, and give it shape, by remembering incidents that have been shelved and reincorporating them. Very often an audience will applaud when earlier material is brought back into the story. They couldn’t tell you why they applaud, but the reincorporation does give them pleasure. Sometimes they even cheer! They admire the improvisor’s grasp, since he not only generates new material, but remembers and makes use of earlier events that the audience itself may have temporarily forgotten.”

[@spirosmousouris3908]

Look at this person right here. Full of energy and life, eager to explain his craft, proud to present his art. When you see him in sketches and videos you may think, "pff, another crazy loud person", but his way of thinking, his mindset, his simple, yet so informative narration. Such an inspiring point of view, for every creative job, from art , to design to web design really. He has a unique perspective that can be useful to anyone who designs, plans and narrates.

[@bullmilk]

I enjoy most of these interviews but this counts as one of my favorites and undoubtedly one of Sam's best shows.

[@igotashake]

I love these videos please stay forever

[@benedictifye]

That's so fuckin smart

[@hazzah1007]

The Substitute is one of the funniest sketches in the history of funny sketches. It should be in the Library of Congress.

[@antoinefantoine7693]

I want to hate him for being so much more knowledgeable than me and knowing it, but I just feel a preposterous amount of admiration for him. So great.

[@Joseph963]

Antoine Fantoine Look at your picture pal. That alone should tell you he's more knowledgeable then you.

[@modiabcomedy]

Antoine Fantoine There's nothing wrong with not being the smartest guy in the room. It means you have more room to grow.

[@perceptional1458]

@@Joseph963 that´s the legend cal chuchesta

[@sandothemando8924]

He's such an inspiring and effervescent speaker! As an improv performer, I love listening to him speak about improv and learning new techniques from him!!

[@kal2487]

I tried improv, it was the hardest thing, I just didn't have the stomach for learning in front of an audience. All I know is Key and Peele is the best.

[@BradColemanisHere]

I feel like I just stumbled on something amazing here and I don't know who to tell first! This is ... a light bulb moment and really wonderful advice and perspective. I can't wait to try this and I don't even know where it will happen.

[@EricMPeek]

This made too much sense. Like it blew my mind that I knew this already but I never really think about it

[@jsquared1013]

That sketch had me cracking up. A-Aron got me even more than all the other goofy ones, though, not sure why 😂

[@mgg5418]

That is a BRILLIANT way to explain improv! Love it!

[@manestor1000]

What an incredible talent he is !! Keegan-Michael Key. Thank you!

[@Jaikaran89]

What a fantastic teacher. Thanks Keegan!

[@billlonee9470]

I still say "A-a-ron" in my head, even if it's spelled "Erin..."

[@carlharris8066]

That was so heat! Loved that metaphor. Backing up and playing off of something.

[@Stephcsz]

Brilliant. Simple. Smart. From one of the nicest guys in the business too.

[@raytheonorion]

Magical.

[@abir95571]

Damn Keegan is an amazing teacher ... brilliant

[@moussetache1815]

I'm not even an actor but now I need to be at a masterclass led by him

[@kingherotv]

the most beautiful explenation of acting101. I salute you sir.

[@samholder196]

what a beautiful, pithy, and clear articulation of something so foreign to most.

[@JohnnyCatFitz]

What a delightful, enthusiastic conversationalist.

[@_ripVanWinkle_]

What a amazing human

[@JoelGlovier]

Brilliant. Best description of improv I've ever heard.

[@salsabilsaadeldin9173]

It's the easiest way someone can explain this concept & he's so passionate about it, I hope he has or would do a master class for improvisation/Acting

[@bwuh]

Mesmerizing to watch.

[@alexanderpbyron]

YO Ba-la-kay! Brilliant segment.

[@OMGmyFACE]

This explanation alone is motivation enough to just do improv. Like, ok, that looks fun as hell, why not?

[@christophertown7136]

He's truly brilliant.

[@arigilos8552]

He explained it so well

[@jimjamjerry]

Genius way to put it!

[@gamestalker87]

To this day the Sub teacher skit is my all time favorite.

[@bobbybobob2648]

I love Ke-aygon!

[@aprilmaaarsters]

Ke-aygon myKal Kay

[@pizzamasterf5]

very insightful

[@tamtamz8733]

He’s so good.

[@AnthonyTSolano]

Absolutely incredible. Love the work you guys do at OCS. Brilliant.

[@jonastheproducerjojoondabe5586]

This makes me happy idk why

[@TheRossMadness]

If anyone is interested, the quote is "Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down". It's from Ray Bradbury, the famous American author. He was writing about creativity and putting effort into the elements of risk that make a career based on creativity happen.

[@alvinhall6726]

The dopest description of improv that I ever heard

[@justinliberti5917]

That was phenomenal.

[@michaelkilinski2809]

Genius explanation!

[@Leahcim76]

Genius! Thanks for that explanation Keegan-Michael Key!

[@PatTheBatmanFan]

Just watched the Jason Sudekis improv video. Second basketball connection in a row.

[@timesn7774]

I remember when i first started to get a sense of jumping off the cliff and figuring it out on my way down. It started off really as ways to boost the interest and fun of a conversation and i experimented... i got a sense one time i just jumped that i could say really awesome interesting witty or funny stuff by just jumping off and i was so suprsied and amused once i realized i was literally doing that.. jumping and free falling and letting things roll out!!! I then started to think about improv and thought improv may be even a better way to seriously go into this further.. i haven't but this interview makes me want to!!! Salute!

[@SwedensFine]

That is incredible

[@cpinto23]

what an amazing explanation! guy is a great teacher

[@mattydominic4219]

So friggin good. SO good!

[@darknessanomaly5929]

Hes amazing

[@salesholes2938]

Love improv and this was a great analogy.... I will use it on my videos for sure

[@thisherewalnut8139]

Holy F I've never thought of it that way. That's amazing!

[@spacemohsin]

What a great great description of the Substitute Teacher sketch

[@lewis3853]

That was really friggin good.

[@NKillmore]

Like Im mad how much sense that made.

[@LeendaDProductions]

hahaha he's the best

[@IlkaAzize]

Incredible

[@keepplayingnice]

That is AMAZING!

[@Yungbeck]

Incredible stuff!

[@Luvie1980]

Good video. I agree with what he said. I cant wait to see the entire interview.

[@seansego]

Great perspective

[@ChrisHairMusic]

This is brilliant.

[@flamshiz]

he really is vibrant and extremely articulate

[@Reunion4ever]

That was incredible !

[@Seeattle]

what a blazing genius

[@CdubKindafunny]

Pretty esoteric discussion and very, very interesting. I do stand up, not improv, and I would have explained the analogy as being akin to setting the audience expectations by erecting a court to play on, and then actually playing the game in the stands. No matter how you draw the analogy, though, humor involves upsetting the audiences expectations. No doubt Key has mastered the method.

[@That518Kid]

absolutely fascinating.

[@VinnyCarter]

This comes out June 23rd? I can't wait that long, people!!!

[@shaynwalker4787]

This is amazing

[@righteouslioncomedian1069]

Thank you for this, Mr Key. 👊🏽🔥

[@theolord]

he is just too cool

[@superbabybao]

I JUST LEARNED SO MUCH IN 3 MINUTES!

[@MCTranscendent]

Wow, that was a fantastic analogy.

[@emilyhuxson199]

such great advice...this was very helpful in deconstructing a sketch

[@thereal9111]

GENIUS

[@idbefamousifiwere3]

I'm in love

[@neilmanansala399]

When I was in New York, I ran into Key, after I saw Dear Evan Hansen. He was just about to leave, and he still took the time to take a picture with me. He’s a very kind man!

[@seandreezy1988]

Moral to the story Keegan has mastered improvisation, he broke that down eloquently 🙏

[@matrixist]

Brilliant!

[@bySterling]

One of the most versatile and creative comedic talents of our time 🙌🏻😁❤️💪🏻💯👏🏻 I also designed Rich Talarico’s website, luv Keegan gave him props here #familystyle

[@vanderley3]

brilliant

[@liloly17]

It was genius how Key said that.

[@trevorfreund4110]

He’s a goddamn genius

[@Sinaman13]

Hea such a cool guy.

[@Disciple_82]

Damn, he is a genius

[@bastianrivero]

I learned something new

[@Mysteree]

awesome.

[@kap79]

That is such good advice. Damn I wish I could use it.

[@daggereye1]

that's awesome!

[@nebulousisgod]

Goddamn, he sure explained that well.

[@kellymcgrath5541]

fucking brilliant... using this philosophy w/ music

[@hubiiuu]

When I heard my name "Jacqueline" freaked me the hell out lol. I thought damn this meant for me