Hello friends!
Click here if you want to hear the audio version description of some easy improv audio sets.
Please do give a shoutout to Camila and/or Introverted Improvisers for any of the bulleted I’ve given below if you use and enjoy them. 🙂
For those that would rather skim visually (hello, my friend ADHD) here’s the breakdown with the meat of it in bold.
One of the easier things to do in audio that is a tried and true improv fav is a montage of unassociated* scenes in a location . We’ve played Overpriced Department Store, Hospital, High School, Toy Store, Airport…just to name a few. Edit scenes by simply placing the new scene in a new area of that world, for example, in Hospital: “on the heli-pad,” “in the cafeteria,” “outside smoking,” “in the morgue” etc.
In the stage improv world, sometimes montages bring in callbacks to characters or situations, and these montages are beautiful imaginative blends of weaving threads as the world is discovered. In audio, we don’t have the visual character cues, and generally, if less skilled in vocal training/listening, might not be vocally able to call back a character in audio, or hear when someone is trying to play that character again. Yes, names can help, but that requires a lot of posturing: “Hey, Sally, my favorite roller skating friend, I was wondering, since the last time we met for coffee…” where all the italics are character/detail callbacks that sound insane and overburdened. So my advice? Just don’t go for that! Instead, go for these, that I developed with intent of applying to each session’s study:
- Underground Bunker: an apocalyptic world above, and scenes in bunkers below. Edit is “next bunker.” Here, access richness of tension, long-lasting relationships, and everyday life – the improv gold stuff. Let the apocalypse above influence the scene, but not be the plot of it. Instead, how does eating cans of beans on end affect a couple’s love? What happens when the hygiene of a group goes to shit? And what about that puzzle piece you swear you couldn’t lose in a 10×10 room? For a beautiful arc to a set, combine strong relationship scenework, with small group scenes (3-4), and a touch of magical realism (zombie for governor?)
- Cloud9: hopping scenes from cloud to cloud in a very caricature-like heaven. Edit is “next cloud.” Here, access worldbuilding, specificity, heightening. What does the world look like? What are “heaven-equivalent experiences” of earth, like real estate shopping, going to the dentist, taking tests? Specifically what is “heaven-money,” “heaven-brussel sprouts,” or “heaven-diarrhea”? Philosophically are you always happy in heaven? Can you be bad in heaven? Who do you meet there? Bring back your impressions of anyone…no pun intended, sky is the limit here!
- Circles of Hell: what more can I say? You’re in hell. Edits are “next circle.” Take the same targets of Cloud9 on speed. It is OKAY to play low-hanging fruit with people you trust. This is the height of game play, as things start out bad, and can only get worse quickly. These scenes, and this set go fast. Challenge yourself instead to slow down your audio, character, and scenepainting, since the game is going to get hit immediately.
- Similarly: Play “Graveyard” with edit “next headstone.”
- Limbo: a great low-pressure introductory monoscene style for people to play with grounded characters. There is nowhere to go, and no perfect ending, so remove the pressure of “things happening” and just act. To add levity and balance, there is a bit of “game” and conducting as the producer part (the person managing limbo) can come in and out, introducing either new characters or new challenges. This part is small, but allows a player to work on timing of theatrical beats, and is incredibly important (teachers: good for the “stage hog” type to realize their worth when they back away). When has there been enough “relationship,” discovery, drama, or humor to interrupt, with more left hanging?
- Wedding Reception (can also be advanced): dinner tables at a wedding reception! Edit is “next table.” Here is a nice place to play with consistency of character, since weddings attract ALL kinds of people; also, if you’re advanced, it’s a great way to test out group scenes, or put a monologue or two in there as a “toast to the bride/groom.”
Challenge yourself to design a set that accesses the skills you’re interested in targeting. What is a tense situation, like bunker? For example, Campsite, with the edit “Next tent” or Opera House/Theater with the edit “next dressing room.” For heightening/worldbuilding: “in Honah Lee” or “in Christmastown”! HAVE FUN WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL BRAINS!
*A final trick: if you are newer to audio play, sometimes the best thing to pre-arrange scenes, deciding is who is in the first scene and second scene and maybe even when to play the group scene, as audio can get “clustered” and excited very quickly. After that, trust the group to fill in the remaining scenes. This is something I do with new audio improvisers, no qualms there. Our advanced groups don’t need the assist, and in fact, our advanced groups do 20+ minute MONOSCENES in which 4-6 improvisers share the audio space without direction or zoom chat and create a story with no edits. Can I swear and say, fucking amazing? Check out the links below to some phenomenal group scenes.
The Shopping Channel With Gary Marshall
Secrets of Suburbia – this one is the first monoscene (wayyyy back in the day) that happened organically. There were supposed to be edits, and it never happened. This is when I first realized the power of my amazing improvisers, and since then, our most advanced improvisers have been honing monoscene skills.
Much love to the readers and listeners out there. I hope this gives you inspiration for 2022, as that is just around the corner. Stay healthy and safe friends, and please reach out to me: introvertedimprovisers@gmail.com, because I totally have your back.
Camila