Improv Initiations When Your Mind Goes Blank

Initiating a scene when you're newer to improv can be genuinely stressful. You're standing there, your brain goes blank, and then you're worried about it going blank, which makes it go blank. Helpful cycle. In this episode I talk about a simple approach to scene initiations: start with where you are. Establish the location physically, verbally, or both, and let that environment shape what happens next. This gives you and your scene partner something concrete to build on instead of standing there negotiating who everyone is. Two exercises here. The partner version, This Place Has So Much Flavor, has you enter a scene using only physicality and emotion to establish the character of the space before anyone says a word. The solo version, The Garage, has you handling objects in an imagined location and then describing the base reality you just created. Resources and downloads: https://improvupdate.com Newsletter: https://improvupdate.com #improv #improvcomedy #improvtips #scenework #improvscenes #topofscene #basereality #initiations #improvexercises YouTube Chapters 00:00 Why initiations are stressful 00:44 Start with "where are you?" 01:30 Let the environment shape the scene 02:13 Partner exercise: This Place Has So Much Flavor 03:38 Solo exercise: The Garage 04:32 Wrap up This is part of a series on the top of the scene, initiations, and base reality. Here are the other episodes: You Don't Need Backstory: Starting Improv Scenes in the Middle    • You Don't Need Backstory: Starting Improv ...   Assume, Don't Ask: How to Start Better Improv Scenes    • Assume, Don't Ask: How to Start Better Imp...   Emotion in Improv: When to Start Big and When to Stay Grounded    • Improv Initiations: When to Start Big and ...   Full playlist here:    • Top of the Scene (in Improv)   ====================== RESOURCES AND ABOUT ======================= Your Improv Brain is a show about the cognitive side of comedy. Host Jen deHaan explores how our unique brain wiring affects how we learn, perform, and create. Now expanding to cover the "body" side of the brain-body connection! We're digging into why we freeze up, how to find our flow, and using "nervous system" concepts to become better improvisers. Whether you are neurodivergent (ADHD, Autistic, etc.) or just want to understand your own creative process better, this show is for you. Topics: Improv tips, solo improv, performance anxiety, and creative psychology. Contact Jen at https://jendehaan.com SUPPORT: Like this episode and want more? Support this podcast here with a one-time tip here: https://StereoForest.com/tips We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! You can support Your Improv Brain by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=y... And: contact me anytime to ask me anything about Captivate. Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk Schedule posts? We use Metricool, and you can support using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j WHO MADE THIS: This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. All creative graphics made (by a human!) Jen deHaan. This episode was and edited and produced by Jen via https://StereoForest.com. This show was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Studio.