Improvising Movies
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, illusionists!
Well, it’s out there.
After many years of dreaming about writing a book, and many more actually doing it, “The Improv Illusionist” is finally getting into readers’ hands.
I’m really looking forward to the conversations it generates around Physical Improv. Get in touch with me if you have any comments or questions about it.
Now, on to this month’s big idea…
Cinematic Flair!
Summer in North America is big-budget blockbuster time! I love the movies and try to see as many as I can in the theatre. Oppenheimer was pretty good. I was slightly disappointed by Barbie and Mission: Impossible. I can barely remember Indiana Jones and the Whatchamacallit of Whosis.
As a physical performer, one of my ambitious challenges is creating scenes with the look and feel of a big screen movie. It can be very tough, but lots of fun to try!
The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual features a complete breakdown of a long-form format called “The Movie”, where the ensemble works together to describe and simulate camera effects to accompany the story action. Often, these are simple descriptions of shots, like “We pan across a desert landscape. It’s hot, dry, and dusty.” Occasionally, a player might use their hands to frame a close-up or mark the edges of a split-screen.
Where possible, I like to physically simulate how a camera shot looks. To show a close-up, for example, you can bring the character closer to the audience by turning your full face forward and stepping downstage. Monologues and asides often use this technique, although you don’t have to step out of the scene. A distraught lover can face outward, revealing emotion the other character doesn’t see. Take care to avoid breaking eye contact with your partner for too long.
If you have one, a spotlight also focuses attention like a close-up. Your lighting improviser can watch for you to hit a stage marker under the spot. For maximum effect, other players should step out of the light as it comes on.
Working with a team is a real bonus when creating movie-like scenes. Together, you can research camera effects and practice how to recreate them. Then you have them to add tension, emotion, and cinematic flair to your stories.
A really educational website for studying camera effects is EyeCandy (which I discovered courtesy of Chris Mead). It describes dozens of camera effects, using GIFs from various movies to demonstrate. For example, I learned this classic effect from Jaws is called a “dolly zoom”…
To simulate this disorienting tension on stage, you could have the character slowly move forward while everyone around them backs away.
These effects take some research and rehearsal to figure out, but they can be very powerful tools for your scenes.
Things to Try
Ideas for exercises or scenes to work out your physical improv skills.
- Improvise some cinematic scenes! You don’t have to do a whole Movie format. Try a scene “in the style of” a popular film, or a deleted scene, or even define a type of scene like the “rom-com meet-cute”.
- Try movie-related games like Oscar Moment, Sound Effects, or any kind of Genre game.
- Practice incorporating camera-like transitions in your scenes. Whip-cut from one location to another, or single-out a player for a dramatic close-up. Play around with it!
- Research visual and sound effects from your favourite movies. Can you find new ways to replicate them for improv?
Book Giveaway
Congratulations to Mary Sampson and Tim Knauff, who won signed copies of my new book in last month’s celebratory giveaway. I might have more author copies to give away sometime in the future – stay tuned!
More for the Improv Illusionist
Improv Exercises for Physical Skills
Improv Books — Reviews & Recommendations
Improv Podcasts — Reviews & Recommendations
The Improv Illusionist book is NOW AVAILABLE!
Look inside and get order info here.
News & Links
I mentioned Chris Mead earlier – he has an excellent improv blog. Check out these two recent articles with tips for teaching. (Sign up for his fun newsletter too.)
Question(s) of the Month
What’s your favourite movie? Have you ever tried replicating it on stage?
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 October 5th!
Ex nihilo!
—Dave
