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Quick Guide to Impro Terms
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Impro has its own set of terms for describing
what goes on. Its not essential to know these terms, but it can be
handy to know them when thinking and talking about what makes a story
go well, and what is more likely to make it a flop.General TermsOffer - A suggestion or idea introduced into a scene. Can be non-verbal.Platform - Material introduced at the beginning of a scene, establishing the context. Shelving - Putting an idea to one side whilst other ideas are explored instead. Routine – A series of actions with a predictable outcome. Status – The relative importance of a character. Endow – To assign a quality, role or attribute, to a character or object. Making Stories ExcitingThe following will generally make a story more interesting.Accepting - To respond positively to an offer. Reincorporation - Reintroducing an earlier (shelved) idea. Breaking the routine – To take the story in a new direction. Being affected – To have an emotional reaction, to be changed. Raising the stakes - Making the situation more serious/important. Getting into trouble / taking risks - Doing or saying things that are more likely to get you into a difficult/challenging position. Pimping - Putting someone else into a more difficult/challenging position. Making Stories DullThese will often make a story dull, although most can be used to good effect occasionally.Blocking - To reject or respond negatively to an offer. Cancelling - To withdraw an offer, or neutralise it after it has been accepted. Wimping - Failing to define something at the earliest opportunity. Waffling - Introducing things that don’t move the story forward. Bridging - Moving slowly towards an obvious point in the story. Gossiping - Talking about things that aren’t part of the action within the scene. Joining - When two characters become very similar, in terms of role, status, emotion, etc. Instant trouble – Breaking the routine before the platform has been established Lowering the stakes – Making the situation less serious/important. Gagging - Saying something for a quick laugh (at the expense of the story). Asking questions – Expecting your partner to introduce new material. Terms from Impro For Storytellers by Keith Johnstone. See the Improv Encyclopedia for a more extensive glossary of impro terms. See here for tips on how to use some of these techniques. |