How to throw a punch
Note: This is a reprint of a previous Improv Illusionist newsletter. If you’re not receiving my email newsletter, you can subscribe here and get my “Learning the Improv Illusion” series as a bonus.
Welcome to another issue of the Improv Illusionist Newsletter, a monthly update from me, David Raitt, with a focus on the improv skills of environment, object work, and physicality in character and performance. I’m honoured by your interest.
Hey there, friend!
As part of my release plans for The Improv Illusionist book (coming 24 Aug 2023), I’m starting to record video tips for a new YouTube channel.
I love to write, but I know many people prefer watching video to reading long articles. Which do you prefer? Hit reply and let me know please!
Now, on to this month’s big idea…
Safety for Improvised Violence
(Excerpted from The Improv Illusionist book. I go into more detail there, along with complete chapters of Physical and Emotional Safety tips for improv.)
Inevitably, there will be improvisations where characters want to fight physically. You can always find ways to avoid violence, but let’s face it: the audience loves this stuff. And some genres use violence as an established and expected narrative convention.
But this is especially dangerous if you haven’t practiced for safety. Adrenaline runs high on stage, and if you don’t maintain control it’s easy to lash out unintentionally. So let’s discuss how to play it safely.
As much as I harp on playing the reality of a scene, staged violence is a major exception. Here are some basics.
1. No force applied
The first and most important principle of stage combat is that the “victim” does all the work of creating the illusion of pain. The “attacker” never strikes or applies force—they simply support the illusion with appropriate body positioning.
2. Keep your distance
For safety, we need to stay well away from physical contact. So, keep distance between you, and avoid stepping in to fight.
Even if you’re not within reach, don’t aim your strikes directly at the victim. When throwing a punch, aim straight past them, and never swing across their mid-line. Always use more distance than you think you need.
If you can establish some kind of improvised weapon, do it. Because you’re “striking” with a space object, your hand won’t come into contact. The act of looking for and grabbing a weapon also gives you an extra moment to slow down and think.
3. Slow-motion at all times
ALWAYS deliver any violent action in slow-motion. It gives you more control over the movement, and your partner more time to see what’s coming.
A good guideline is that if it feels uncomfortable, it’s probably slow enough. You might consider slowing down even more.
Even in slow-motion, don’t actually touch the other person. It’s still too easy to come in too fast, which will hurt. Let your partner play the effect of taking the hit.
Avoid kicks. In slow-motion it’s difficult to keep your balance, and you can pull a muscle or torque a knee joint.
4. Telegraph your strikes
Never lash out without warning. Your partner isn’t a mind-reader, and you need to cue them.
First, use a verbal cue. Think of 1930s movie comedies as an example—there’s always some line of dialogue leading up to a punch. (“Okay, that’s it!” “Why, you…!”) These signal you’re about to strike.
Next, telegraph physically. A useful tip is to lean away or take a step back first. That creates more distance and gives the defender time to get ready.
5. Practice
These are simple-enough concepts, but easily forgotten on stage. Even with fake violence, your brain wants you to move forward and faster, which is a recipe for injury.
If you and your team decide to allow violence in your scenes, you need to get these skills into your muscle memory. Get together as often as you can to practice distance, slow-motion, and telegraphing.
Other notes
Adding play to violence is a great way to add safety. For laughs, you can make it cartoonish, adding sound effects, reactions, and milking those knockout moments. (But make sure to fall safely, too!) If you want to be serious, you can play up the realities of pain, blood, and physical exertion, as long as you’re even more careful with your slow-motion.
Always discuss violent scenes in your post-show notes. Were they done well? Did anyone get hurt? Did everyone feel safe? Use the learning opportunity to avoid future injuries.
(Want more tips on Physical Safety for improv? Try this article on How to Avoid Improv Muscle Strains.)
Things to Try
Ideas for exercises or scenes to work out your physical improv skills.
- Practice improvised violence with your team. Have players pair up and practice trading slow-motion punches. Encourage everyone to move even more slowly than they think they should. Players should never physically connect, even slowly. Let the receiving player practice “taking” the punch, being careful not to strain.
- Poison-Arm Samurai exercise: The group enacts a sword battle in slow-motion. Each player’s outstretched arm is their “sword”—dipped in poison, one touch is lethal. Play everything in slow-motion—attacks, deaths, taunting opponents. Watch for players speeding up to strike or avoid a touch. Discuss pursuing a personal agenda (surviving the game) at the cost of the reality of the scene (the slow-motion).
- Practice looking for and grabbing improvised weapons from your scene’s location. This is a fun game—how many weird things can you use to defend yourself? And it teaches you about creating more distance for combat.
More for the Improv Illusionist
Improv Exercises for Physical Skills
Improv Books — Reviews & Recommendations
Improv Podcasts — Reviews & Recommendations
The Improv Illusionist book is coming August 24, 2023!
Get more info and pre-order links here.
News & Links
- Speaking of improvised weapons, here’s action master Jackie Chan demonstrating how to fight with random objects. (But of course, you’d improvise this in slow-motion, right?)
Question(s) of the Month
I’ll be adding video tips to the website soon…
What physical improv topics would you like me to chat about or demonstrate on video?
Hit Reply and share. I love to chat with readers, and it gives me ideas for future content to help the whole community.
Do you have any feedback about Improv Illusionist, either these newsletters or the website? Send me a message or just reply to this email. Seriously, I read and respond to just about everything.
See you again on August 3rd!
Ex nihilo!
—Dave
