Keegan-Michael Key: "Improv actors are at war together"

theoffcamerashow

27 May 201603:19

Summary

TLDRThe transcript captures the essence of improvisational theater, highlighting the importance of trust and support among performers. It discusses the initial tradition of affirming 'I have your back,' but also the pressures of desperation and ambition that can disrupt this unity. The speaker illustrates the process of scene development in improv, emphasizing the need for clarity and quick thinking to establish characters and settings. The narrative also touches on the challenges of unexpected disruptions and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the scene for a successful performance.

Takeaways

🎭 The script discusses the importance of trust and support among improvisers, emphasizing the phrase 'I have your back' as a foundational improv tradition.
🗣️ Desperation or ambition can sometimes lead to a breakdown in this trust, with performers potentially undermining each other's efforts.
🤔 The script highlights the need for clarity and understanding of the environment and roles in an improv scene, as without it, performers can struggle to establish the scene's context.
👫 It illustrates how performers can quickly establish relationships and scenarios, such as being brothers, to provide a foundation for the scene.
🕰 The sense of urgency, such as the arrival of 'mom', can be used as a tool to quickly develop the scene and establish the setting.
🎈 The script uses the example of a birthday party with balloons to show how improvisers can build upon each other's contributions to flesh out the scene.
🦖 It points out the potential confusion and disruption caused when a performer enters with a character or prop that doesn't fit the developing scene, like a dinosaur in an unexpected context.
👶 The example of waiting for kids to arrive before doing 'dinosaur stuff' shows how improvisers can use cues from each other to adjust and align their performances.
🤝 The script emphasizes the importance of following each other's leads in improv, as trust in one's scene partner is crucial for a successful and cohesive performance.
👀 It discusses the telepathic communication between actors, where one might silently plead with another not to disrupt the scene being built.
👥 The script concludes by reiterating the theme of unity and camaraderie among improvisers, as they are in a 'war' together and must support each other to create a successful performance.

Q & A

What is the traditional phrase said at the beginning of an improv show?
-The traditional phrase is 'I have your back', which signifies mutual support among the performers.
What can happen when performers are desperate or ambitious during an improv scene?
-Desperation or ambition can lead to performers prioritizing their own performance over supporting their scene partners, potentially breaking the 'I have your back' tradition.
What does the speaker suggest doing when the environment of the scene is unclear?
-The speaker suggests jettisoning the environment and focusing on establishing the relationship between the characters to create clarity.
How do performers establish a relationship quickly during an improv scene?
-Performers can establish a relationship by using cues such as 'mom's going to be here in 2 minutes' to imply a familial connection and a sense of urgency.
What is the significance of the phrase 'jetison the environment' in the context of the script?
-The phrase 'jetison the environment' refers to the strategy of temporarily ignoring the setting and focusing on the characters and their interactions to build the scene.
How does the speaker describe the process of building an environment in an improv scene?
-The speaker describes it as a collaborative process where performers work together to establish the setting and relationships through dialogue and actions.
What does the speaker mean by 'no panic' in the context of an improv scene?
-'No panic' refers to the performers' ability to stay calm and support each other, even when the scene's direction is not yet clear.
What role does the audience play in the improv scene described in the script?
-The audience, particularly the presence of someone like Lauren Michaels, can add pressure and nervousness, affecting the performers' ability to improvise freely.
How does the speaker illustrate the importance of following the lead in an improv scene?
-The speaker uses the example of a performer who enters as a dinosaur and disrupts the scene, showing how it's crucial for other performers to follow the lead to maintain the scene's coherence.
What is the 'telepathic' message that the speaker mentions an actor might send to a scene partner?
-The 'telepathic' message refers to the unspoken communication between actors, where one might silently express frustration or confusion about a partner's unexpected move in the scene.
How does the speaker describe the effect of learning and practicing improv on a group of performers?
-The speaker describes it as building an intimacy and a tight group dynamic, where performers are at 'war' together and support each other throughout the performance.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Improv Environment and Trust

The script discusses the initial phase of an improv show where performers traditionally reassure each other of mutual support ('I have your back'). However, the pressure of desperation or ambition can disrupt this trust. The speaker uses the analogy of jumping off a cliff with a scene partner to illustrate the importance of quickly establishing the environment and roles within an improv scene. Clarity is essential for successful improvisation, and the script describes how performers might hastily establish a scenario, such as being brothers, to provide a foundation for their interaction. The narrative also touches on the challenges of maintaining this supportive environment when unexpected disruptions occur, such as nervousness due to an audience member's presence or an actor prematurely revealing the scene's premise.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Improv tradition

Improv tradition refers to the customary practices and unwritten rules that are followed in improvisational theater. In the context of the video, it is the act of performers reassuring each other verbally with 'I have your back' before starting a scene, which signifies mutual support and trust. This tradition is crucial for building a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the performers.

💡Desperation

Desperation in this script is depicted as a state of extreme eagerness or anxiety that can negatively influence an improv performance. It is mentioned as a potential pitfall where performers, due to their desperation, might act out of character or disrupt the scene's flow. The speaker uses the phrase 'I can also put the knife in your back' metaphorically to illustrate how desperation can lead to self-serving actions that undermine the group's collaborative effort.

💡Ambition

Ambition here is portrayed as a driving force that can be both positive and negative in an improv setting. While ambition can push performers to excel, it can also lead to overstepping boundaries and overshadowing others if not kept in check. The script suggests that ambition can lead to a breakdown of the supportive environment necessary for successful improvisation.

💡Jetison the environment

This phrase is used to describe the act of disregarding the established setting or context of an improv scene. In the script, the speaker mentions 'jetison the environment' to illustrate the importance of quickly establishing the scene's context to avoid confusion and maintain the audience's engagement. It serves as a reminder for performers to be clear and concise in setting the scene to prevent a disjointed performance.

💡Clarity

Clarity, in the context of the video, is the state of being clear and understandable, particularly in terms of the scene's setting and the relationships between characters. The speaker emphasizes the need for performers to achieve clarity quickly to ensure a coherent and engaging performance. Lack of clarity can lead to confusion and a lack of connection between the performers and the audience.

💡Bicker

Bickering is a term used in the script to describe the playful arguing or minor disputes that might occur between characters in an improv scene. It is used to illustrate the dynamic of the relationship between the characters, suggesting that they are siblings who naturally engage in such behavior. This adds depth and realism to the characters' interactions.

💡Open-ended

An open-ended approach in improv allows for multiple possibilities and keeps the scene flexible and evolving. In the script, the speaker uses the phrase 'that's open-ended enough' to describe a line that does not limit the scene's direction, allowing the performers to explore various avenues and maintain the audience's interest.

💡Panic

Panic is depicted as a negative emotional response that can hinder an improv performance. The speaker mentions that performers should avoid panic, as it can lead to poor decisions and a loss of control over the scene. Instead, they should maintain a calm and composed demeanor to navigate the uncertainties of an improv setting effectively.

💡Intimacy

Intimacy in this context refers to the close, trusting relationship that forms between performers during an improv performance. The speaker talks about how the shared experience of 'being at war together' in an improv setting fosters a strong bond and a sense of mutual support, which is essential for a successful and cohesive performance.

💡Telepathic communication

Telepathic communication is a metaphor used in the script to describe the unspoken understanding and non-verbal cues that performers exchange during an improv scene. It suggests that experienced performers can convey their intentions and reactions to their scene partners without explicitly stating them, which is crucial for maintaining the flow and spontaneity of the performance.

💡Costume confusion

Costume confusion is an example of a scenario in the script where an actor enters wearing a dinosaur mask, creating confusion about the scene's setting. It serves as a humorous anecdote to illustrate how performers need to be adaptable and quick to resolve unexpected situations that can arise during an improv performance.

Highlights

Improv tradition of saying 'I have your back' at the beginning of each show.

Desperation or ambition can lead to the adage 'I can also put the knife in your back'.

The importance of scene partners knowing where they are in an improv scene.

Using a prompt to establish the environment and relationship in an improv scene.

The dynamic of establishing a relationship through dialogue in an improv scene.

The process of working backwards to establish the setting of an improv scene.

The concept of 'no panic' in improv when making choices on stage.

The impact of an audience member on the performers' confidence during an improv scene.

The challenge of entering an improv scene before the environment is established.

The importance of saving the scene by providing context to the audience.

The telepathic communication between actors to maintain the environment in an improv scene.

The development of intimacy and tight group dynamics through shared improv experiences.

The potential for one actor to disrupt the group's cohesion with an unexpected move in an improv scene.