The Truth About Improv

Most of us will jump into improv class before almost anything else, because it’s the perfect recipe.

It’s fun. It’s low key and low pressure, and you can still get a lot of value out of it even if the class itself isn’t great.

I have always been a big fan of improv, even though it was a big challenge.

See there are 2 components that make up a great improv scene but almost everyone ignores the second one.

Let’s first talk about why becoming great at improv can be one of the greatest moves you will ever make.

Some of the greatest shows were based on a great deal of improv. Here’s why...

When you become skilled at the art of improv, your acting skills improve on a very granular level.

Of course, you learn to think faster and on your feet but the improvements go way beyond that.

Improv will also help you to build more natural characters and you will learn to anticipate what comes next in a scene, without looking at a script.

Here’s what I mean by that.

One of the most important things for an actor to master, is the ability to get “out of the script” and let their performance flow naturally.

This is very different than being “off book.”

When an actor gets stuck in the script, they go into reactive mode and are always anticipating what the next line or block of action is.

You can literally see the anticipation in their eyes and it completely kills the performance. Stick with me for a moment.

When you become great at improv, you do learn to anticipate what comes next in the scene but you do it by picking up on cues from others in the scene, since there is no script.

The way someone uses their vocal tonality, facial expressions, and body language are what you have to read in order to pick up on where an improvised scene is going.

This is what you also use in the “real world,” since those interactions are also unscripted, so working through scenes like this keeps you focused on using those elements of reality.

Also, when doing improv you are responsible for directing yourself in the scene, which helps to sharpen your ability to create characters and then keep those characters on the right track organically.

It improves the alignment of your character choices with the characters themselves.

In fact, in a way that almost nothing else can, improve skills will serve you well in nearly all areas of your life, especially as you work to build your career.

Here’s what I mean...

Have you ever had an introductory meeting with an agent or a director you really wanted to work with, but were so nervous that the meeting didn’t go nearly as well as it should have?

Of course! It’s happened to everyone but improv fixes even that because you learn to think on your feet and take in the subtle clues the other person is giving you about where the scene (or conversation in this case) is going.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, that skill can serve you very well.

When you consider that even an interview is nothing more than an improvised scene, your skills at this will become much better too.

If you want to become a successful actor, then you already know how important it is to master becoming great at being interviewed.

More on this in a moment.

As important as it is that you become great at improv, there is a mistake that nearly all actors make but that you can easily avoid.

What you should never do with your improv skills is improvise your next career move. Even though half the fun of doing improv is in the unpredictable nature of where a scene might go, leave it on set..

When it comes to building your acting career, you need to have solid plans in place and one of the key areas to focus on is this.

Almost anything else can be overcome if you have a solid industry reputation and that will never change.

Other factors will come and go, but in the end the industry will always be a people business.

At their core, people are risk averse, and that’s why the industry has poured so much time and resources to figure out ways to decrease risk in all areas of production.

That’s why ​casting directors and decision makers use this when comparing one actor against another.

Because one of its main uses is to measure your reputation within the industry, it serves as a great way to measure the casting risk associated with you as well.

So be sure to show up with your best foot forward by always having an industry reputation that matches your goals for your career.

Remember, if you need any support with that, I’m always only an email or a phone call away and I’m always happy to help in any way I can.

Because my goal is to...

See you at the top,
Scott