I've recently taken up photography. It feels strange saying, "I'm a photographer," so I opting for "recently taken up photography." It feels more accurate. This is a new artistic relationship, I just met photography, I don't know if it's going to go anywhere.
Do you watch a lot of youtube videos when you're trying to learn a new skill? I do. And, of course, when you watch a couple videos, youtube says, "we know what you want! How about these one million other videos on photography? We have a buffet of photography videos. Eat, eat. You're skin and bones." So, I'm stuffed with videos, and action steps! The advice has been varying levels of helpful, but one idea, which is two words, has been transformative in my photography AND improv.
Do you have a couple of seconds?
I'd love to talk about the idea with you.
You do? Fantastic!
Alex on The Photographic Eye suggested, “slow down. Walk slower.”
That was the advice! Two simple, and very powerful words. Slow down when you're out there on the streets of Roseville or _____ [insert your city here] snapping pictures. Absorb your location, and don’t rush by the moment. Look to your left, and right. What’s that above you, and below your feet? What are you not seeing when you’re focused on getting to that, next location? What’s waiting to be discovered around you? When you slow down you have time to ask those questions. A change in speed can help a change in perspective and a unique find.
It reminds me of my coaches in high school football shouting, “half speed!”
It works too! I reminded myself to slow down and when I looked off the trail I found these fantastic little mushrooms.
I see you making the connection already. You’re smart, you get it. Sure, I could keep writing more words and get to that coveted 1200 word blog post (Google loves them some longer blog posts), but why waste YOUR time! You see where this is all going, so let’s just get there.
Don’t race to that next scene or game. Slow down in your improv. Improv isn’t a race. It’s an experience. Improv is an experience for the audience as much as it is for you and your improv team. The audience is watching you become someone, live as someone, and write the story live. They don’t need you to race through it, they like savoring what’s happening too. It’s a scene, a game, a moment we’re all enjoying together, and why sprint through it? Take your time. Even a short form improv game isn’t a demand or promise the players will keep it short. While it might sound quick, short form improv isn’t a demand we rush to the end. It’s not about speed. Short form is about a goal, but you don’t have to rush to the goal. It’s about having fun and discovery. I’ve seen terrible 2 minute improv improv games, and unforgettable 10 minute improv games. It’s all in the approach. Just like a street photographer, slow down, take your time, explore the characters and the world. A photographer is slowing down to get the shot, and the improviser is slowing down to capture joy and share it with the audience and the team.
Does “slowing down,” mean talking slower and moving slower. In photography that’s what it means, you’re literally moving through the space slowly. However, that’s not the case in improv. It could be the case, but likely not. It DOES mean taking a second to look around your scene, notice a characters posture, or a tone of voice, or a crooked painting on the wall. Why that posture? Why that tone? Why is the painting crooked? I’m not saying you have to invent answers, but at least you’ve given yourself a chance to see the scene more, and live more in that reality.
If you’re not sure HOW to slow down, it simply starts with a breath. Take a breath and hear what was said. It’s not always in the words, there could be a lot to explore in the tone of voice.
Probably an important moment to mention, this approach is a tool. It’s one tool in your vast improv toolbelt and not give you an improv headache. Is slow always the answer? Nope. Are there times a little speed can help a scene? Absolutely. The more you get onstage and practice you’ll find each scene asks something a little different from you, and you’ll be able to give the scene what it needs.
Warning: at photography half speed, you might feel and look a little silly. In fact, this weekend when I was taking pictures I told Ciara, "I'm moving at half speed to see more." She sighed saying, "oh good! I thought there was something physically wrong with you."