Seth Rogen Reveals What Makes Great Improv

Seth Rogen has experienced more than a few film sets where improvisation is a heavy factor. He explains his approach, but also that there's no real way to know what's funny until you give it to an audience.
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[@89tilinfinity29]

im still a student of improv but I learned that the hard way just last year. Throwing a joke in there might seem like a good idea but it does nothing for what you and the other person are trying to build, which is a scene. Its always better to say whats true to the character, like Seth said, instead of, "oh this would be funny" or "what would my character say?"

[@JohnDoe-qq8et]

Yeah. The key is to play your role without overplaying your role.

[@cameronmiller6240]

“Jokes are only really funny if they are directly supported by the story” “Often what your character would say right know derails the whole scene”

[@SDSuko]

Sam Jones asks really good follow-up questions.

[@Barrrt]

This is gold. Part of me wishes I was a filmmaker so this would actually be directly applicable but I still have the feeling that just by watching this I'm becoming wiser.

[@upinsmokewego59]

I mean you're right! I'm a writer, and I still took his advice for my personal use. I get anxious having conversations in everyday generalization, but what would my character say?

[@gabrielgunnzalez]

If you learn from it, it's totally applicable to your life!

[@julianbaldwin6992]

Still coming strong with the best laugh of all time

[@douglaskalberg8899]

I would love to see one of those scenes he was talking about when he knows that the improv is failing and will not be used.

[@actorsanonymousimprov2403]

his idea about great improvisors being great writers!!! very well put.

[@Abcdefghijk920]

Seth’s laugh is amazing

[@robertdavis4192]

I find good improvisation in music is much like good improvisation in acting(comedic or not) I think one way to look at the art of improv is that it's an extension of how we act in our personal lives when reacting to the chaos of life in the moment. So as a musician or say a thespian, if you're really listening and paying attention to the subtle nuances of your comrades performances you can find opportunities to react within the reality each situation dictates. Say for example you notice your acting partner maybe stumbles over a prop, reacting within the context of the greater story being told can turn what was a flaw in the performance into a seemingly scripted act. "Have a few too many last night, or maybe your brain's focused on everything else but normal bipedal propulsion?" As you step over and steady your costar with a friendly shoulder touch.

[@BreezeDaDon]

Wow, Seth jus put us on game. Hes the improv king! Makes more sense after hearing him explain it

[@pageperpage]

Add this to how Key explained improv. Interesting stuff

[@nqkdjr]

I think they talk about the same thing. Like, when you see it from a writer's perspective, you gotta see everything. Like God's pov. Key's explanation was more visual. Both are great.

[@StreetHierarchy]

What you can't see in the dailies is the editing work that goes into the comedic timing and adding context to the scene.

[@bentonvillefamily]

His laugh sounds like a man with COPD turning on the garbage disposal.

[@anonymoustiger7854]

I love this so much!! Would love if you get Evan Goldberg or Sofia Alvarez - To all the boys I've loved before! Screen writers bring such an interesting perspective to movies!

[@sethklumb8686]

Good to see Fozzy Bear is still doing well for himself.

[@lejune5083]

Thank you really helpful

[@laprepper]

fascinating insights from truly gifted professional

[@the_bilbs4823]

This is the smartest Seth Rogan I’ve ever seen

[@FRNKNSTNmusic]

I want to compliment all the people complimenting Sam for his interviewing skills for your commenting skills

[@InfinFox]

and i would like to compliment your meta complimentary skills

[@mbavio]

It’s all about the scene.

[@dungeonmaster16]

from the new tmnt movie for sure he probably told this to the actors voicing the turtles too. which helps with how they act with one another and how the scenes move along.

[@jameswilliams7059]

There's a Vince Vaughn movie, I forget what it's called. But it's him and John Favreau, and you can tell that all their scenes together are totally improv. It feels so real like two friends actually bullshitting around, and it's funny. God I wish I remembered what the movie is. It has Rachel in it

[@nft4806]

Swingers?

[@craigbarr2003]

The Break- Up

[@concealedvoodoo]

I like it 🙂

[@gernis]

everyone: he's such a good interviewer it has nothing to do with the guest Interviewer: seth:

[@oliviam_]

“What would someone say if they were in this situation”

[@Mrsteisag2]

I can taste it...on my tongue. Is that onion? Onion and...onion and ketchup. It stinks, this is a small room.

[@Fettclone1]

I just watched that this week. Such a great scene.

[@Hendrixdh]

It's interesting to hear how movie improv differs from stage improv, because what he is saying here is generally pretty bad stage improv advice.

[@petertahoe]

yeah, around 1:30, I was disagreeing with him. The differences mainly are that on film, you get MANY shots/takes at it and have the advantage of knowing what's happened already in the story and what will eventually happen. So, you have time during your coverage to FIND the best ad lib. But on stage it's Boom, first reaction, "Yes and..." to whatever what was said right before you

[@THeOliveGardin]

What would the character do or say in that moment as an individual keeping their 'character' in mind.*

[@ollieroddy]

You can't not love this guy.

[@lancebuttercream9817]

Your face looks like Robin William's knuckles.

[@djsickmick9890]

Bahahahahahahaha lmfao!!

[@TheHyena-ru8bz]

He keeps randomly looking into the camera with his eyes. I wonder why

[@zack2thafuture]

The Wolf my guess is if he used his ears it would look strange

[@micahpediford]

I’ve been practicing using my eyes when I look at stuff as well.

[@philvarela323]

Maybe he's just experienced enough to try and make you feel like you're part of the conversation.

[@Clda47]

Cries of help

[@findkip]

Here are some examples of the Improv game know as Opening Lines. Opening Lines: kzbin.info/aero/PLuTj7ekfulHkNMaBMj12APtjkcB5ipp1q

[@melchior2678]

Seth Rogen and Jeffrey Epstein have ALOT in common

[@Volvican]

If I could pick one person to blink out of the existence of Hollywood - it would be Seth Rogen. Apropos that the clip was just him saying how little he knows about how comedy works.

[@iancarlin5714]

I came for improv tips and found that Seth is an extremely arrogant and entitled actor. I thought he was mediocre but okay acting god.

[@aboveall9180]

Thanks for your opinion Ian. Truly appreciate it.