(Part 2) Best products from r/improv

Hey! Sorry to throw another book suggestion at you but I loved "Improv Wisdom" by Patricia Madson. I've read it 4 times already (which is no big accomplishment its super short but so meaning-dense I miss things).

Improv is absolutely a spiritual experience to me and I'm sure it is for my partners too. It's just difficult to talk about I think. It feels hokey, awkward and forced to try to be so explicit about the spiritual side with everyone. It seems to take away from other's experience to over-analyze. So I don't. Instead I just focus on enjoying the feeling of being here, connected, accepted, the shared laughter. Not a lot of that in my life outside improv. Meta-jokes ("I love you man" or "Group hug!") do get better results though haha. So I think you can mix them, but it has to be ironic or funny otherwise it disrupts the group mind.

You're a short form group, right? Is there anyone in your group who can play an instrument? That's gonna be where you start; a great accompaniest can make anyone sound brilliant.

If you're doing short form, I suggest starting out with some super simple structures. Seriously, Hoedown from Whose Line may cause some long form snobs to roll their eyes but it works. Laura Hall, their musical director, has a book that may be helpful. (I also recommend Nancy Howland Walker's book and Michael Pollock's book.)

One quick tip: You can get away with not rhyming in a song; in fact, commitment, selling it, and staying on rhythm are more important than rhyming. Make rhyme the thing you workshop on the the second day. When rhyming, it helps to think if the word you want to get to first, and then backfill your way there. Like, if I'm singing about dogs, and I've got the word "leash" ready to go, I'll work backwards from there. "As interests go, mine may be niche, but I love it when you pull my leash." Get it?

Great stuff! I want to take your class.

There were some great exercises for building comedy routines in this book. One of my favorites.

I guess you'd probably want to start with the rules of improv, and later the rules of comedy. Unless you already have experienced improvvers' in your group.

I honestly don't know. The book recommendation is all I got.

Coming up with the exercises would be the funnest thing.

I imagine writing a sentence on the board but leaving off the last word for others to improv on would be hilarious. Probably a MSTK3 themed video session would be great too.

Good call! You can buy, rent, or use your Prime membership to watch SCRAPS for free at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NPBCQZB/

Ratings and reviews are super helpful and appreciated if you like the film!

There is a great book called 'Improv Ideas.' It lists just the kind of scenarios you're describing, but also provides exercises when they are useful. In addition, there is a CD to download the scenarios so you can print them out to take to rehearsals or auditions. I've found it super helpful.

Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Improv-Ideas-Book-Games-Lists/dp/1566081130/

I don't know if a book can make you funnier, but the Humor Code is an amazingly interesting read on what makes funny funny around the world.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1451665423/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1450014297&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=humor+code&dpPl=1&dpID=41tIGV0bn3L&ref=plSrch

If you want to get good find some local classes in your area, then work to join a team.

The UCB improv manual is one recommended book for a game heavy style of improv. It is the textbook for the UCB classes. Truth is Comedy is the textbook for IO which has a more honest style improv.

Go to shows if you have them in your area and watch improv as you learn you will begin to see what people are doing and understand why. This youtube channel is some UCB teams performing; I particularly like the team Fuck that Shit. I also personally love Off Book the Improvised Musical podcast. They are some incredible improvisers. Start with Ep 75 if you want a good one.

Last if you want a more relaxed fun way try finding a role playing game group. This won't make you great at stage improv but you can pick up some of the skills. Most people play D&D which is not a bad place to start in tabletop RPGs especially with 5th edition. If you can find people running more story games you can get somewhere closer to narrative improv minus the audience.

Try Greg Atkins' Improv: A Handbook for the Actor. It has very well laid out lesson plans for the basics, and is incredibly clear about directions for different exercises and games.

Don't worry about all the heady stuff. Play some games, have fun. If you find you enjoy it, there's plenty out there to dive deeper.


Where are you at?

My advice: buy The Improv Handbook. It's a good book in general, but it lays out a really nice syllabus and puts an emphasis on teaching.

Here you go!

That plus the Dialects Archive as /u/Bmc1217 pointed out are the best resources.

Learn IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)

The book will teach you where your tongue goes and give you the main points of difference from Standard American.

The Archive will give you a way to listen and figure out what you want to work on.

See if you can work on one a week, in a year you'll have 50 times as many voices as you do now.

> Edit: Oops, I lied, there are a few, like Improv Wisdom, Getting to Yes-And, Second City Yes-And, Improv for Actors. Most are related to applied improv-oriented.

I feel like Improv Wisdom is not really a how-to, but more of a spiritual book.

Do you know if any of those really teaches about the art of improv?

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The Improv Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Improvising in Comedy, Theatre, and Beyond by Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White

Format is only half of the story. A big part of long form improv is the mentality, structure, and approach. My highest recommendation is to read a very short book called Truth in Comedy.