The Complete Improviser: Concepts, Techniques, and Exercises for Long Form Improvisation

changes weren’t forced, because the trail of inspiration

You don’t need a funny first line or funny response to have a successful scene.

If I had to throw a net over all of the reasons why we don’t like certain movies or books, it would be this: we quit believing what we’re seeing is real.

Avoid vague accusations and sweeping generalizations. It’s perfectly okay that your scene partner “always does that,” but you must vigorously define “always” (Daily? Weekly?), “does” (On purpose? Are they just dumb?) and “that” (What is it specifically?).

Chicago also has more improv than any city in the world.

teachings. For an audience to laugh or cry, they must care. For them to care, they must believe.

The trick with general agreement scenes is that both players share the same point of view and keep pushing and adding information. There won’t be a frustrated straight man to question their behavior, pull information from them, or provide them with the contrast to enable absurd behavior.

Good argument scenes feature a reasonable point of view colliding with an unreasonable point of view. Inside Out and Outside In

The solution here is the same as with any impasse: someone must lose without changing their character.