imprology, improvisation based training

imprology - Get wise or laught trying.

Click to subscribe to imprology's Newsletter

Improvisation workshop, London 2007

Improvisation workshop, Kendal 2010

Improvisation workshop, Kendal 2010

Improvisation workshop, Kendal 2010

 
Playing improvisation games

Improvisation can be practised as a competitive sport or as a collaborative game. Here at imprology, we are more interested in the collaborative process. Improvisation games have simple rules to help players focus on other players, taking their mind away from the fear of under-performing or the need to be shine. First we play to win. Then we play to lose. Then we play to play. Rules give us the freedom to experiment in a shared space.
Improvisation workshop, London 2007  
Failing is acknowledged as a sign of genuine risk-taking and games can be repeated as many times as necessary for everyone to find a way to succeed.

Free from the need to appear bright and original, participants can experiment with the way they project themselves and interact with others in a playful and supportive atmosphere.

The improvisation games become gradually more sophisticated to finally produce fully fleshed stories.
Advice to improvisation facilitators
Give clear and simple instructions and make sure they are understood.
Only use rules if they improve focus.
Let players be in charge of their own experience.
Discuss the outcomes with participants rather than lecturing them.
Encourage participants to monitor their inner state.
Avoid all form of direct negative comments. Ask for critics to be respectful and constructive.
Do not force your tastes upon others.
Violent stunts are never improvised.
Recognise failure as a chance to progress, and try again.
Show your respect and appreciation.
Take risks. Try new games and new ways of doing old things. How can you ask people to take risks if you don't?
To the point advice for facilitators:
Deploying intelligent collaboration
by Michael Webb
 
Advice to improvisation players
There are no bad improvisers. Just teachers making wrong choices. If you think you're terrible just relax, it's their fault.
There is no catch, no trap, no intention to catch you off-guard.
It can be very tempting to erase difficulties by breaking a game's rules but without rules there is no game. Rules are the only fix point in the landscape. How you follow them is completely up to you.
Ask again and again if you need to clarify a rule.
Involve yourself and agree to fail. Try new things. Success won't teach you as much as failure.
Play to win. Then play to loose. Then play to play.
Make your fellow player look good if you want to look good.
Avoid anticipating. It's a lot more rewarding to try a game out and see what happens.
Discard any prepared idea before entering a scene.
Show your respect and appreciation.
© Remy Bertrand - Imprology 2005/2009
Privacy - Pictures credit - License