Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out

I enjoyed this book and think it'll be great for both beginner improvers, advanced, or those that want a look behind the comedy curtain. It sure helped me and I'm going to read it again because it was so enjoyable. Maybe after reading a murder mystery just to change things up.

Mick Napier claims to not lay out any rules. Not strictly true, but the point holds: thinking about what to do and what not to do won't help you advance a scene. Napier's new rules and explanations should help anyone who's done some improvising, and knows the feeling of a scene never taking off. If you don't know that feeling, I'm not sure that this book will connect.I found 'Improvise' much more helpful than 'Truth in Comedy' for actual scene work and, as everyone notes, less preachy and self-congratulatory. That's not to say that 'Truth' isn't worth your time, just that if I had to pick only one it's this one.Also, Napier includes exercises that one person can do on their own, which I found very helpful. These are mainly oriented toward developing mental muscles that allow you to make bigger, quicker leaps in thought, and get comfortable with first thoughts and going with your gut. So, good exercises for just being a human.

So far I've read Chalma Halpern's "Truth in Comedy", Viola Spolin's "Improvisation for the Theater", Keith Johnstone's "Impro", and now this book, and I would say this one has the most useful information as far as *becoming a better stage improviser" goes. What I mean is that it is full of tips, advice, and useful things to consider, and seems meant for someone who has already knows a little bit about the BASICS. Mick Napier asks the reader to rethink some of the "rules" that the basic improv teaching lays down, while adding some important insights of his own.In this sense, I think that "Truth In Comedy" is the best INTRO to improv, for someone just starting out. Then, I'd recommend "Improvise: Scene From The Inside Out" as a necessary followup, and then Keith Johnstone's "Impro" as a whole new viewpoint and also a deeper insight into the philosophy of being in the moment. (By the way, I would avoid the Viola Spolin book - it's written in a strangely stilted, boring, hard-to-read style, and really contains no memorable information).Particularly useful in Napier's book are the "Exercises To Do At Home", which is something I've been looking for - most other books have exercises which are meant to be practiced in a group setting.I found the chapter on "Improvisation & the Second Law Of Thermodynamics" to be unnecessary though - it didn't really add anything and seemed to be sort of a weird tangent. Luckily, it's short.Anyhow, after reading this book I really do feel as if I understand a lot more about what separates a "great" improviser from a merely "good" one. Now comes the hard part - PRACTICING & GETTING UP THERE AND DOING IT!!!P.S. I was recommended this book by Dustin Sharpe, my Improv instructor at the Acting School of South Florida, and also a member of the awesome improv group Mod27. Thanks Dustin!

The book is great for anyone venturing into the world of improv and I've had Mick as a teacher before so the man knows what he is talking about. The book has some games for the improviser to practice by themselves and hone your skills a bit. For example you will be asked to come up with at least five objects in the room and remember where they are, because if you are in a scene you need to know where you placed the damn things so you don't walk through them. Believe me the audience will know where you put the large shark pit you made up!

Refreshing to hear coaching from the gas pedal perspective and not so much the brakes. So helpful for someone like me who pops the clutch a lot.

Mick Napier is as important to the world of improv as any of his predecessors. He takes on the "rules", such as they are, and adds nuance as well as some downright rejection of those rules. He isn't out to upset the whole institution, rather he is trying to purify it. Improv is more than trying to get laughs. It is truly play time for adults, it is a key that can change people's lives, whether they are good at it or not. I believe that it must be constantly contemplated as an art form to save it from the circus. Napier is a watcher on the wall, warning of mediocrity in this precious and young art. Thank you Mick!

I've been needing to add improv skills to my acting resume for a while now, and had several books on my wish list. Then I got the chance to take a class, which recommended this book. Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out is quite possibly the only improv book I'll ever need!It is easy to read, explains "The Rules" clearly and also explains why _not_ to follow them (or at least get them out of your head), and I was able to put the suggestions to work in class straight away. The examples of good and bad improv scenes for each situation/suggestion make it clear that the death of improv is being in your head too much.I think even actors who go from the outside in for their characterizations will be able to follow and use this book, and I also believe that people with no acting or improv experience whatsoever will be able to skip the "bad" area of the improv meter and spend less time in the "dork" area before hitting the "great"!

Performing improv for 13 years I have read a lot of bad and a few GOOD improv books. 1. UCB 2. Improvisation at the speed of Life by TJ & Dave & 3. Improvise by Napier.Fantastic read for more ADVANCED improv performers. This book shows ways to always stay fresh and avoid falling in to routine. Ways to challenge yourself in typical scenes that keep you in the moment. Practices to do w yourself. Focused towards those that are experienced already but want to stay new & fresh. A MUST BUY for any serious improv performer! 130 page book that cuts to the chase from a man that has the background and years experience in every facet of improvisation.

Ist man gar nicht gewohnt: Ein Ratgeber, der auch wirklich guten Rat gibt. Die meisten eiern irgendwie um das Thema herum und verbreiten nur Platitüden. Das ist bei Mick Napier anders. "Improvise" spricht des Pudels Kern - wie trägst DU zu einer gelungenen Impro-Szene bei? - direkt an und gibt Tipps mit Hand und Fuß.Zahlt sich voll aus.

Un livre généraliste sur le théâtre d'improvisation avec la vision personnelle de l'auteur.Il nous rappelle les points clés et règles de bases sur ce format théâtral puis nuance chacune de ces règles.Au cours des différents chapitres quelques exercices sont donnés mais il ne s'agit pas d'un livre regorgeant d'exercice mais plutôt de conseils précieux avec des petites applications.Tous les chapitres à l'exception du dernier sont intéressant selon moi, et comme dans beaucoup de livre américain il est très pédagogique avec des rappels des points importants à la fin de chaque chapitre.Dans un anglais assez facile à comprendre (si votre niveau n'est pas très bon vous aurez juste un peu de mal à comprendre certaines plaisanteries mais les exercices sont très bien expliqués et les idées développées aussi)

This book cuts the crap and gets to the nub on almost all of the impro critique I have been struggling to formulate into sentences for the last few years. I improvise regularly and have been doing it for about 5 years, both long and shortform, and I wish I'd found this book earlier. I'd never heard of Mick Napier before and I got this book on an impulse. Just goes to show what can happen when you act on your impulses.I have read other impro books, including some of the 'recommended titles' and well known 'bestsellers'. I am making it my duty to do all I can to make this one a bestseller in its own right because all the others I have read pale in comparison. Seriously. I LOVE the throwing out of the 'rules' and his idea of where they came from, and I LOVE the straightforward way he gives practical examples of how to avoid bad scenes, things to look out for and ways to improve.Its a training manual, a guidebook and an Oracle. Read it. Then improvise better.

This is the ultimate book for the improv beginner. I've done ten years of improv and have always been continually frustrated by the RULES. Given that they were different for each instructor. Could I touch, should I touch,etc? Mick throws out the RULES and allows you to develop at your own pace. You'll read it from cover to cover in a few hours and learn a lot of really useful information about improv and want to read it again. Highly recommended.

Se lit très vite et facilement comme les 2 livres indispensable de Del Close et Charna (école iO aussi à Chicago).Mick Napier est une école d'impro à lui tout seul. Bref, un livre à lire !Son école est aussi très connue pour sa manière de jouer avec les "freaks" c'est à dire ceux qui font n'importe quoi sur scène et détruisent tout ce qui a été créé.