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To surf you must paddle quickly at the outset, in order to catch a wave. If you do not paddle fast enough you will be passed by the wave and wind up not surfing. likewise, In an improv scene you want to come out of the gate with strong ideas, whether it be your character, location, or situation. The stronger your ideas, the more your partner will have to work with. The more you have to work with the better your scene is likely to be.
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Today, while standing on the 96th Street train platform, I had an improv eureka moment. I began to really notice how people stand and how I perceived their status. Some slouched, some made eye contact, some crossed their hands across their chests, some walked past me their heads held high, some stuffed their hands into their pockets, and some held books like shields.
Status, in improv, is how your characters hold themselves. These mannerisms are some of the most basic tools used in improvisation as they define characters and situations very quickly without much effort. The effects of status are also very subliminal, and can have profound effects on an improv audience.
I would encourage you all, when you are next in a public place, to enjoy the act of people watching and study real people’s mannerisms.
Link: Status as defined by the Improv Encyclopedia