defining improv

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » January 25th, 2007, 1:17 am

I've had the idea for a long time of a flyer campaign that simply spells out what improv is, just so people will know. My concept is just that it would be a simple flyer with a list of what improv is. Every time I go to make the list, I realize that I also need to say what improv is not, since people tend to think improv is standup.

Here's what I have so far. It could certainly use some help. After I have a good list I'll start working on a way to make it visually pleasing. Some of the "nots" are just space fillers.

improv is theatre without a script.
improv is not saturday night live.
improv is games, scenes, and/or stories.
improv is not just whose line is it anyway.
improv is comedy without a net.
improv is not standup.
improv is fun to watch.
improv is not for art snobs only.
improv is best seen live.
improv is not available on a dvd box set.
improv is happening all the time.
improv is not stopping any time soon.
www.austinimprov.com

York99 · Post by **York99** » January 25th, 2007, 9:10 am

Defining improv? What a huge task. Even in that list, you're right and wrong.
"theatre without a script": The problem is that some shows, including "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and McNichol and May's "Guided by Videos" are partially scripted.
"comedy without a net": I find my fellow improvisers provide a net
"not stand-up": I've seen improvised stand-up
"not available on a dvd box set": ex. "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

That's what makes it so frustrating. Improv is so varied that even well thought out "rules" are often broken. I'll be damned if I can come up with anything better, though.

Jules · Post by **Jules** » January 25th, 2007, 9:28 am

Improv is comedy but I find that I'd like to see more improvised dramatic scenes. I like to watch emotions on stage other than comedic ones.
It is performance and art, it can feel like a living sculpture. It is immediate.

Roy Janik · Post by **Roy Janik** » January 25th, 2007, 9:37 am

All valid points. I like "Improv is immediate". It's frustrating. But I feel for something like this, though, it's like the physics professor who explains some tricky concept. You think you understand, but then he says "Actually, I just lied to you, but the truth would only confuse you at this point." He could've explained it properly from the beginning, but no one would get it.

Improv is not standup (except when it is)

Improv is comedy without a net (except that nothing's stopping it from being serious and your fellow improvisers kinda provide a net)

Improv is theatre without a script (except when shows are partially scripted)

Jules · Post by **Jules** » January 25th, 2007, 9:43 am

Chris always says improv is performance art that's funny. He also says it reminds him of being a kid and playing.
What I like about it and what draws me to it, is that immediacy and the group mind experience where everything is whirling and something great happens and then its gone. And the audience is actually a participant in my mind, because they are paying attention and focusing in on the experience. In its best it seems really inclusive to me, the audience feels that they have a stake in the game, even if its to watch us mess up, but more to watch us succeed, to bring back the suggestion, to tie themes together blah.
Oooh. Mystical.
Its people playing with skill. I like that.

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » January 25th, 2007, 10:18 am

Even though I agree with everything Justin and Julie say, I think Roy is on the right track, and the analogy of the physics professor is perfect. It's already been pointed out elsewhere that we frequently fall into the trap of using insider terms to market improv (like "games" -- what, are they playing Scrabble onstage?) instead of describing it in a way that (a) explains what it is and (b) gets people in the door.

I would strongly argue for keeping everything on Roy's list, including those that are technically not true of all improv.

(Also, I would less strongly argue that 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' is not improv per se but rather a show that incorporates improv, which is a different thing entirely. 'Beatlemania' incorporated people singing and playing rock songs, but it wasn't a rock concert.)

York99 · Post by **York99** » January 25th, 2007, 10:31 am

ratliff wrote:Even though I agree with everything Justin and Julie say, I think Roy is on the right track...

Oh, I completely agree. My point is that improv is so difficult to explain that even improvisers can't get a "true" definition. Bending the truth is not at all a bad thing when trying to explain it to "civilians."

I was just making a point, not trying to dissuade this project or any of Roy's explanations. Sorry if it came out that way.

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » January 25th, 2007, 10:33 am

friggin' purists

Asaf · Post by **Asaf** » January 25th, 2007, 11:24 am

I think that Roy is creating fliers for live improv as opposed to the use of improv in things like Curb or Christopher Guest movies. Maybe you should say Live Improv is...

Live improv is performers in freefall

Live improv is seen by that audience only

Live improv is specific to that audience and only then

Live improv is spontaneous entertainment

Live improv is different every time it is seen

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » January 25th, 2007, 11:25 am

Improv is created while you watch.

vine311 · Post by **vine311** » January 25th, 2007, 11:45 am

Improv is taking over my life.

HerrHerr · Post by **HerrHerr** » January 25th, 2007, 11:49 am

Improv ate my dingo.

Jules · Post by **Jules** » January 25th, 2007, 12:32 pm

Babies ate my improv.

Wesley · Post by **Wesley** » January 25th, 2007, 1:58 pm

Improv is the act of creation.

Or my preferred phrase, the mystical, quizzical, enigmatic, simplistic: Improv is...

Imagine seeing "Improv is..." stickers all over town where that and the aic website address in smaller font at the bottom was all it said. I'd be curious. It'd take three, four, ten viewings, but it would eventually gnaw at me. The Statesman ran a similar ad campaign a few months ago and as annoying as it was, I'll be damned if I didn't log in to figure it out. (It was something like "I get mine in the morning. I get mine at work. Where do you get yours?")

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » January 25th, 2007, 2:07 pm

The other idea I had for an ad campaign, which I'm sure has been used elsewhere, is the tagline "Yes, as a matter of fact, we ARE making this up as we go along."

Too long for modern marketingspeak, but it does actually convey something of what improv is.

I LOVE Wes's idea.