I was wondering if there was a proper way to write for improve. I know it's mostly scene descriptions but what else. Any examples?

Do you mean like sketch comedy?  Improv is improvisation, which is made up on the spot...ad-lib so to speak.

I guess if you were going to write something, you could write the scene descriptions and what the general theme the actors would have to follow is.

Some friends and I were intersted in doing an improv short film. I understand it's all made up on the spot, I just wasn't sure if there was a certain way to write the outline. Like how there is a certain way to write a script. If you want to sell a script, there is a certain format and style that you have to use to even get it looked at. Would this be the same way?

Not really a big deal I just hadn't seen anything about it on here.

I took a class in long form improv a few years ago.  There's no script, no preparation and no net.  Someone throws an idea at you and you just do it on the spot.


Phil

He is not doing long form improv Phil.  I believe he is going for more of a christopher guest angle.  

I am not sure whether or not you want to write a script at all, perhaps just a run of the mill outline is what you should use for organization.  Perhaps you could give one of the christopher guest movies (spinal tap, best in show, waiting for guffman, a mighty wind, for your consideration) a watch and then if there is a commentary listen to it and see if he talks about what he does.

-Tyler

It doesn't matter what style of improve he wants to do, if he's using a script then it's not improv.


Phil

That isn't necessarily true. There is more than one type of improv.  Some have no script - this is pure improv - very much like childhood play.  Some have a premise or a slight script - this is the theatre game type of improv most people are familiar with.  Then there is a form of improv used mostly for role-playing or therapy that allows for a discussion on what will happen, or a script, before you do the improv. This is the most appropriate form for a movie.

Quoted from dogglebe It doesn't matter what style of improve he wants to do, if he's using a script then it's not improv. Phil

Thats pretty much true.  WHat I was talking about was what you said here: "Someone throws an idea at you and you just do it on the spot."  That is true realy only with long form, and certain short form games.  Randy here already has an idea, so there is know idea to be thrown.  Technically your right, this isnt improv, he and his freind can take time to brew over what they might want to say and do, taking away some of the excitment of the thinking on your feet improv of long form and some short form.  But it is still improv in how the other actors will react to eachother.

This is how the christoher guest movies work.  He knows what he wants to happen he plots out the characters, and then he lets his actors just sort of do their thing.

Thanks for all the replies. I will have to buy a couple Guest films. I saw For Your Consideration the other day for $10 used. I may go back and get it. Anyone have any recommendations on which are his best?

Thanks!

Best of Show and A Mighty Wind are two of my favorites.


Phil

They're all great, bu "for your consideration" was my least favorite.

The way some improvved films are done is to give the actors the point of the scene within the story's narrative. The actors are then cut loose on camera to act out the scene as they see fit as long as the point of the scene is made. There are also cases where one person is an actor with lines acting against someone who is given free reign. The free reign person knows the point of the scene, and they are to act against the lines the other person is saying, though it is understood the person who has lines needs to work them into what the improvver is doing. It's kind of a complicated proess, and while the resulti often natural, it can also come out unfocussed.

For the actual script, the scene would look more like a treatment that a regular script. Just enough so the actors know where they're going with it.