Story Robot

Speaking of great podcasts, The Flint has just put up an episode from NZIF. It would be fair to say that I’m not at my most eloquent, but it is worth a listen for all the other excellent improvisers; Sam Smith and Robby Ellis (brilliant musical improvisers), Christine Brooks (one half of the now legendary Lingerie Detectives), Hamish Parkinson and Eli Matthewson (ex-Jesters, current dudes), Merilee McCoy (NZIF’s amazing organizer), and Rebecca De Unamuno (the best).

The Radiolab podcast is one of the best arguments for the existence of ears. Just listened to a great episode about games which got me thinking about improv in a whole bunch of ways.

My favourite bit was the section on chess which describes The Book, and The Novelty.

The Book: The conventional wisdom of the correct move to make in any situation (the no-brainer moves).

I have to say, I’ve seen (and probably performed in) entire improv shows performed entirely within the Book (you know the scenes where you can predict exactly how its going to play out after the first couple of offers [the blind date scene, the submarine scene etc]). I think it is incumbent on us force each other (and ourselves) into the Novelty as quickly and as boldly as possible.