You don't need backstory: starting scenes in the middle
Your Improv Brain
Partner exercise: identify and justify
Jen details a two-player warmup where one starts a physical action and the other instantly identifies and justifies it.
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).
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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.
This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts.
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