Harold Night 2003 — 3 of 27

Part 1 - Improv Moves

Things are usually marked for listing.

A improv move is a kind of thing. An improv move can be known or unknown. An improv move is usually unmarked for listing. An improv move is usually unknown.

YesAnding is an improv move. The printed name of YesAnding is "yes and". The description of YesAnding is "This is the big one. The main rule of improv. It dictates that you confirm what was said by your partner, and then you add to it. And that you will in general have a spirit of 'saying yes' to the flow of the scene." Understand "saying yes" and "agreement" and "agree" and "yes and" as YesAnding.

premise is an improv move. The description of premise is "Starting an improv scene with a funny idea inspired by an opening.".

justifying is an improv move. Understand "justify" and "justification" and "reality" and "grounding" as justifying. The description of justifying is "Knowing 'why' your character is doing something, so it's not just an empty silly pattern.".

committing is an improv move. Understand "commitment" as committing. The description of committing is "Feeling what your character feels, seeing what your character sees - that lets you see the best moves you could make.".

confidence is an improv move. The description of confidence is "Being out of your head. Owning the stage. Playing like you deserve it.".

specificity is an improv move. The description of specificity is "Specificity makes your choices more powerful.".

simplicity is an improv move. The description of simplicity is "The simple choice is often the truest choice.".

if-this-then-what is an improv move. The description of if-this-then-what is "Second only to 'yes and' -- this is what makes scenes funny. If the first unusual thing is true, what other unusual things must follow?".

truth is an improv move. The description of truth is "Don't worry about jokes. Be true and it will be funny.".

The player is holding YesAnding.

Definition: a thing is non-improv if it is not an improv move.

Instead of taking inventory:

try lessoning;

Lessoning is an action applying to nothing.

Understand "lessons" as Lessoning.

Carry out lessoning:

if the number of known improv moves is 0:

say "You have not yet learned any improv lessons.[br]";

else:

say "You know the following improv lessons ([number of known improv moves] of 9): [br]";

let L be the list of known improv moves;

repeat with im running through L:

say " [im][br]";

if the number of non-improv things enclosed by the player is 0:

say "[br]You are also carrying: nothing.";

else:

say "[br]You are also carrying: [br]";

let L be the list of non-improv things held by the player;

repeat with im running through L:

say " [im][br]".

Definition: a person is non-player if it is not the player.

Instead of dropping an improv move, say "Can't. Once you've learned it, you've learned it forever." instead.