Your Improv Brain Assume, don't ask: how to start better improv scenes
Questions at the top of a scene are an advanced move, and if you're still building your skills, they can stall your scene before it gets going. In this episode I break down why questions are tricky at the top, what makes a good question versus a bad one in improv, and how assuming shared history with your scene partner gets things moving faster.
I also talk about something that tripped me up early on: the weirdness of making assumptions about another person's character. If that feels uncomfortable to you, especially if you're someone whose brain flags assumptions as unfair, that makes sense. I get into why and how the pivot that comes from those assumptions can actually become the fun part.
Two exercises in this one. A partner drill using "you look / you seem / you feel" to practise adding information without questions, and a solo version using a one-sided phone call format to train your assumed knowledge muscle.
This is part of a series on the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality.
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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.
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YouTube version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNl6231OS5Q
Chapters
00:00 Why questions are risky at the top of a scene
00:52 When you can break the "no questions" rule
01:52 Why questions are even harder at the top
03:22 Assume shared knowledge instead
04:22 Why assuming things might feel weird (and that's okay)
06:28 Partner exercise: You look / You seem / You feel
08:08 Solo exercise: One-sided phone call
09:14 Wrap up
Downloadable content
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Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"
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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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