Think...and Be Creative

Think about the most creative moments of your life. What if you could have that whenever you want? 

You can.

-- doug smith

Picture This: Another 2065 Night of Clarity

Tom stood in the hallway, up late as usual.

"The desk could be on the other side of the room."
"You're thinking of the future, not now."
"You honor me to think that I'm thinking at all."
"Do you think so?"
"It's commendable that you seem to be studying."
"Seem to?"
"You're not, right?"
"Of course I am. For all posterity."
"For all posterity."

-- doug smith


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Picture This:
1. Find a random image (truly, close your eyes!)
2. Write for two minutes, inspired by that image.
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Practice

Improv, while spontaneous, is also a discipline. It takes practice. Going for the obvious jokes is so common because people don't practice enough to get beyond them. It reminds me of a technique one improv company used to do in their warm up - they'd say all the cuss words they could think of just to get it out of their system. It's not an easy laugh, it's a tedious gratuitous string of cuss words unless it is all attached to character.

To get to character in improv takes practice. To build trust -- in your own skills and in the skills of your company of actors -- takes practice.

Just because we make it up on the spot doesn't mean we don't have to practice.

Practice!

-- doug smith

Picture This: Say Yes to Mr. Tubs

Can anyone really say yes better than a dog? Hardly.

My dog friend (one of a few) Mr. Tubs is a champion say yes kind of guy, and he insists that I play just as unconditionally. When I enter my friend Judi's house, Tubs comes running to see who it is. When he sees who it is (me!) he retreats to find his favorite toy of the moment and trots to me with the offer to play.

Say yes, human. Just say yes.

If I'm preoccupied, his eyes say "say yes."

If I say "not now, Tubbers..." he remains on point, ready to go, slobbering with anticipation, unable to conceive of a negative thought between me and yes. Say yes.

Improv actors say yes. If you forget how, please...play with a dog.

Just look at that face. There's no "no" in that face. There's no room for killing the scene. There is only keeping the playing alive.

Say Yes to Mr. Tubs.

Say yes to your improv partners.

Say yes to life.

-- doug smith

Creativity Generator: Picture This

1. Find a random picture (seriously, keep your eyes closed and make it random)
2. Write for 2 minutes, guided by the picture

Improv Makes You Better

You don't have to be a star. You don't have to be famous. You might even stay happier if you avoid those two possibilities. Still, practicing improv will improve your world. It will improve your communication skills, help your self image, build team work, make it far easier to think on your feet, take the fear out of the unknown...and hundreds of more benefits.

That's why I like this quote:

"More of me comes out when I improvise."
-- Edward Hopper

And mostly, more good stuff!

-- doug smith

Creativity Generator:

Think about a time when you had to improvise during an unexpected occurrence. Wild, eh? Now for two minutes list all the good that came of that improvising situation.

See?

The Fast Path

Improv is your fastest path to creativity.
-- doug smith