Austin Improv

What are the things you always tell the audience when you direct, before you bring out the players?

Are there going to be more "Directing Maestro" workshops. I don't feel like I am anywhere near ready to do it, but I think someday I might be interested.

Aden wrote:What are the things you always tell the audience when you direct, before you bring out the players?

Vote honestly, two should be considered an average score
If a scene goes poorly, it's on us (the directors)
We may require an audience volunteer or two

I can't think of many more that are musts for every show. Sometimes, the audience needs pumping up, sometimes they don't. I like getting them to chant something before a show. Quick way to get energy and simple teamwork.

Aden wrote:What are the things you always tell the audience when you direct, before you bring out the players?

I usually say things like:

We would love to give you scenes worth a five every time but that is not possible.
Mostly, because we don't know what you guys like.
5s tell us "yeah, more scenes like that" and 1s tell us "yeah, don't do THAT again"
3s really don't tell us anything.

I added that last line recently and noticed more 2s and 4s.

Unrelated to Aden's question
If the scene's going well, just let them do it. Direct lightly, like you're setting a volleyball, not molding a sculpture.

Some paraphrased advice from the creator of the format:

- only direct in the middle of the scene if it needs help, minimize interaction

- watch the improvisers and don't give them scenes they don't like

- don't give the improvisers extraneous stuff to do unless it helps the scene. (ex- sing a song about love while exposing your upper teeth). This can be like "over directing". If you have a good improviser, just give minimal (or general) suggestions.


Howard

Still good advice, even if some of this is over 5 years old. Thinking about directiing again, I think it has been about that long since I last did it. Oh, and this post is part of "Every Improviser in Austin Posts on the Forum Day!"

Yay.

[quote="Roy Janik"]Here are some purely technical tips for directing Maestro.

This is also so helpful to me, even though I have no plans on directing Maestro any time soon