Once we have THE WHO and THE WHERE we want to get into what the scene is really about, THE WHAT. This is the action of the scene. What happens to the characters? In a short scene (3-5 minutes) we call this the ARC. In a full play or movie, we call this the PLOT. In the longer work, the PLOT starts with the exposition – where we learn THE WHO and THE WHERE. As we get into the story, we have the RISING ACTION, building to the CLIMAX, followed by the FALLING ACTION and finally the RESOLUTION.
In Classic literature we have the TRIANGLE shaped plot as scene above. The CLIMAX is in the middle. In Shakespeare, each of the FIVE acts of each play represents the FIVE parts of the action. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare kills off Caesar in Act III. For two more acts other characters play politics and go to war. In most two-act Broadway musicals the intermission occurs after the climax. The entire second act sees characters dealing with the fallout.
In modern film, TV and theater, we usually see a fairly quick end after the climax. Think of a movie with a big explosion that quickly resolves with the hero making a quick clean up of loose ends.
THE ARC of a 3-5 minute scene has a beginning, middle and end like a traditional plot. In the diagram above, you see the ARC rise quickly, hover mostly at the raised level and fall quickly. When performing a three-minute scene, get the exposition out of the way as quickly as possible. We call this STARTING IN THE MIDDLE. Don’t feel the need to do a lot of explaining. Think back a couple pages to the STARTING A SCENE GAME. In a matter of seconds we try to establish THE WHO and THE WHERE. No we focus on THE WHAT. We get a full 2 minutes or so to develop the scene. And then we go out on a bang – while the fire is still hot.
SO WHAT IS THE WHAT – What is the scene really about? What do the characters want to achieve? What obstacles do they have to get over? What is the main conflict?
CONFLICT v BLOCKING – Earlier we discussed that BLOCKING is bad for a scene. BLOCKING refers to actors disagreeing with the details of the scene. CONFLICT is a disagreement between the characters OR the characters and the scene.
TYPES OF CONFLICT
Character versus Character – conflict between two people. In Improvisation, usually the characters in the scene. Possible the characters are working together against an implied person.
Character versus Self – conflict of inner demons. Alcoholism, drug addiction, disease, depression, guilt, pride, etc.
Character versus Nature – conflict dealing with the elements – hurricane, earthquake, volcano, disease/epidemic, (PERFECT STORM, 2012 etc)
Character versus Society – a character feels oppressed by the system. Stories of Slavery, Apartheid, Great Depression, and even Frankenstein (The monster is feared and therefore hated by all)
Character versus the Supernatural – Character is up against forces of demonic nature, mythology, fantasy, sci-fi tech, etc.
SO WHAT IS THE SCENE REALLY ABOUT?
Where can we get inspiration for our scenes? EVERYWHERE!
Scenes based on movies & TV
Everybody goes to see movies. Use characters from the movies to inspire PARODIES of your favorite characters and stories. You can perform scenes that happen before the known stories (PREQUELS) and scenes that may have happen after the know story (SEQUELS). Sometimes we can perform the MISSING SCENE from the story. Or perhaps even perform ALTERNATE SCENE or ENDINGS. By using characters and stories people know, you easily set up the WHO WHERE WHAT for all. Similarly you can do…
Scenes based on Literature (Books and Plays)
Many of these have already been turned into movies. But there are books out there that all your friends are reading and know very well. Look for some great inspiration there.
Scenes based on popular culture
News Stories, Actors, Singers, Dancers, Politicians, Athletes, British Royalty, Business owners (especially Wall Street, Donald Trump), etc
Saturday Night Live and similar shows have entire careers based on POP CULTURE parodies. Referencing names or even portraying these characters are always hilarious. You do not have to do spot on impersonations. Try hinting at the actual person but mocking physical attributes, voice, or just by what they are known for saying. Think of all the scandals in the news.
Scenes based on Historical Figures and Times
Whether portraying specific characters or just the times, PERIOD WORK always offers sources of entertaining material.
Scenes based on Reality
What you know… School, Work, Home, Mall, Relationships, etc. Call upon people in your life and those you observe at Subways, Malls, Busses, School etc.
EXERCISES: For all of the following, develop good ARCs with a strong WHO, WHERE and WHAT… (Note we have suggested specific ASK FORS to develop various skills. Once you master the games, mix and match and find new exciting ways to inspire scenes)
COLUMNS or HUMAN MAD LIBS™ – Invite two audience volunteers to sit down stage left and right respectively. Ask audience for a location. Two players perform scene. Additional players may join in, as the scene requires. After the WHO and WHERE are strongly grounded, the players may point the COLUMNS. The players should repeat and then justify whatever the COLUMN says. TIPS – You, the player, are in control. You need to lead you COLUMNS. However if they throw you for a loop, you need to justify. This will become a great source of comedy. VARIATIONS – Instead of COLUMNS, allow the whole audience to chime in. Not recommended for new Improvisers as this can lead to chaos quickly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mWIUPAPJyY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9h2QADV2l0
SWITCH – MC asks for a fairytale or other children’s classic. Two players perform scene. Additional players may join in, as the scene requires. After the WHO and WHERE are strongly grounded, the MC will call switch. Each time the player last to speak will switch up some detail of previous statement. Sometimes the player can switch the entire statement or perhaps just the activity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WSYKmBItvs
A, B, C game – MC gets a relationship “How do these two people know each other?” Two actors perform a scene. Player One’s first word must start with an “A” (Apples, Amy, Angry etc). Player Two’s first word must start with a “B” (Believe, Bullies, Behave etc) The scene continues in order of the alphabet until you get to “Z”. VARIATIONS – Try starting at a letter other than “A”. After “Z” go to “A” and finish on the starting letter.
ABD GAME on VICTORIOUS, NICK - Bad example in many ways, not really improvised, but you get the jist.
ONE to FIVE Two Players perform a one-minute scene. The scene then repeats at 30-seconds, 15-seconds, 10-seconds, 5-seconds, maintaining the basic structure of the original. PERFORMANCE NOTE – build a real arc. Beginning, Middle, End. Make 3-4 major physical shifts, stage crosses etc. The scene becomes like a collapsing outline getting closer and closer to just the important points. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCbGOfvIa-c
Mr. Frasier has appeared on film, TV, Commercials and the Live theaer and is currently the director of intruction for the COMEDY HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION (www.comedyhalloffame.com)See Walt Frasier live in Times Square and touring nationwide in Improv Comedy Troupe EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH. (www.eightimprov.biz)
