You don't need backstory: starting scenes in the middle
Your Improv Brain
Justify only essential backstory
Jen advises discovering only pertinent backstory during the scene using justification rather than pre-show exposition.
SURPRISE! I'm back. Hi! :)
Starting a scene with two people standing there asking "who are you?" or explaining a bunch of backstory is one of the quickest ways to lose your audience. In this episode, I talk about why exposition bogs down the top of your scene and how starting in the middle of the action gives your scene immediate momentum.
This is the first in a short four episode series about the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. I reference Truth in Comedy (linked in the show notes below) and walk through two exercises: a partner drill where one player starts a physical action and the other identifies and justifies it, and a solo version arbitrarily called Narrate This where you practice describing and justifying your own actions in real time.
Resources and downloads:
Truth in comedy: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/truth-in-comedy-the-manual-for-improvisation/9781566080033.html
YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/WFyTR-IJc-s
Article for this episode: This episode is part of a four episode series available on YouTube and audio podcast. You can find an article for this episode, and links to the full series on both platforms, here.
Newsletter:
https://improvupdate.com/newsletter
Chapters
00:00 Why backstory kills your scenes
00:59 Truth in Comedy and why exposition doesn't work
02:29 Start in the middle of the action
03:59 Partner exercise: identify and justify
05:26 Adding challenge by making actions illegal
06:27 Solo exercise: Narrate This
07:33 Wrap up
Downloadable content
Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).
NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes
Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"
Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads
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About
This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. You can find her bio here.
This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com.
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