Lessons stand-ups can learn from improvisers #1: Game
Lessons stand-ups can learn from improvisers #1: Game
Improv is the opposite of hack. it's less "I've heard that before" and more "I've never heard that before, and nor would I wish to again!"
I know a lot of stand-ups actively hate improv, and that’s fine I get it. People zip zap zopping and slapping each other on the back, it’s not very… cool. Love it or hate it, improv has the spontaneity and chaotic unpredictability that most stand-ups could really benefit from. Improv is the opposite of hack. it's less "I've heard that before" and more "I've never heard that before, and nor would I wish to again".
Game is a concept coined by UCB, one of the most famous improv theaters and schools from North America. Take it away ChatGPT:
In improv, the concept of "Game" refers to a comedic pattern or premise that emerges during a scene. It involves identifying a unique and funny element and exploring it further to generate humor. Bleep Bloop.
In improv, the players on stage have to agree on what the "unique and funny element” is. Once this is established, we have a focus for what the scene is about and how to play the rest of the scene. It’s important to have simple ideas because you’re usually playing in a group, and everyone has to be on board with the same idea. With stand-up it’s equally important to have simple ideas that can be clearly conveyed. In stand-up, you're alone on stage, but you're in a team with your audience. You need to communicate your ideas to them clearly and precisely just the same.
How can I communicate my ideas clearly to my audience?
Great question!
Remember that they are not you. You might be able to write extra jokes from having more empathy. EG if you’re 29 and have a bit about feeling SO OLD that you’re turning 30 next year. Realise that every single person over 29 wants you to go fuck yourself right now. So maybe have a some jokes for the old crones as well (even if youre ultimately taking the piss out of them). People love feeling seen.
People can always relate to feelings and emotions so keep coming back to those.
Keep it simple. Instead of running through lots of ideas quickly, focus on one idea in detail.
Make sure your audience are with you. Be present in the room, check in with them. if you’re a fast talker, slow it down.
Keep it loose. Play the gig in front of you, not the one in your head. Maybe you have to present a slightly different set given the demographic in the room tonight. Watch the other comics before you, what is working well tonight?
Be yourself! Don’t do an impression of a stand-up comedian. Use your normal way of talking.
What’s the funny part of your idea? WRONG!
And here’s the crazy part, stand-ups often don’t know themselves what the funny part is of their own material! Or at least they go for lazy and easy jokes over what could be a much better joke. In both stand-up and improv, the better game idea is usually one that is emotional and grounded in reality. That’s not to say great scenes (jokes) can’t be made from un-grounded and unemotional ideas, but usually it’s difficult to make them go anywhere, and great jokes go places. And please don’t think I’m against easy jokes! But I do think a good joke needs a good foundation in order to blossom. In both stand-up and improv you know when you have a great idea. In improv everyone wants to join in, and in stand-up the joke starts to write itself.
Consider this improv scene, taken from a real rehearsal.
Two office workers are tapping on their keyboards, one turns to the other and says “I can’t do this any more man, I took acid at the weekend and now this accountancy job seems so meaningless to me.
Instinctively the improvisers try and mash up drug trips with accountancy, creating an ok scene. That eventually heightens to someone being named the best accountant because of their acid induced creative accountancy. The first thought is that the funny part must be accountants on drugs, but is there a better game idea here.
Consider your honest gut reaction to “I took drugs at the weekend and now I don’t want to do my job”. What emotion does it spark? Maybe I don’t speak for everyone but my gut reaction is… LAME! Do your job man! To me a better scene is you had this spiritual experience and nobody gives a shit. Perhaps a heightening move is that your boss is mad at you because in the office we do cocaine, acid is for hippies!
Here is an exercise that’ll really help you get to grips with what the funny part of your material should be.
