Here’s an improv scene that happened. It was in a beginner improv class. I didn’t even see this scene, it was described to me by my brother.
Someone started a scene that two astronauts had landed on the moon. He established they were walking on the moon and then said this to his scene partner:
Person 1: “Hey, come over! Look ! In our spaceship, there’s two aliens having sex!”
And the other person was thrown by this situation. He looked into the “spaceship” and said
Person 2: “There’s nothing in that spaceship!”
Which is bad, right? That’s a classic textbook straight-up denial! Like you’re not supposed to just say to your scene partner “that thing you said absolutely did not happen.”
But it happens! Denials happen.
So what do you think Person 1 said in response? After his move —- however good or bad it was —- was just outright dismissed.
He looked back into the “spaceship” and shook his head and said…
“Huh. Coulda sworn.”
Which is so so so funny. I think it’s the perfect response to any denial.
“Boss, you are being too hard on me in this job!”
”I’ve never been hard on you.”
”Huh. Coulda sworn.”
“My name is Sean. I run this karaoke night.”
”No you don’t.”
”Really! Coulda sworn.”
There’s something in the resignation of “coulda sworn” which is actually virtuous. Instead of getting angry — either your character getting mad or the actor getting mad —- you just adjust and roll with it. Instant adjustment.
Defensiveness slows down scenes.
Here’s two good exercises for reducing defensiveness.
Exercise: I Know I Know
This is Craig Cackowski’s. Two people up. The initiation must be a statement. And then every line after must start with “I know, I know.” This prevents anyone from choosing to be surprised.
“Nice day out.”
”I know, I know, the sun is shining. You were right to move to Los Angeles.”
”I know, I know, the city is incredible.”
And then if someone — on purpose or by accident — throws a curveball, you have to roll. Continuing the above conversation.
“I know, I know, but I actually hate it here.”
”I know, I know you’ve been saying you hate it.”
”I know, I know, the weather is TOO nice.”
Exercise: We Knew That
In this exercise, everyone in the scene takes turns confessing something. And in response everyone goes “Yeah, we knew that.”
4 people up (could be almost any number). Teacher gives the who/what/where — I like it to be friends hanging out at one of their apartments.
Then one by one, each character confesses something to their friends. And after each confession, each other person says that they already knew it and gives the reason why they knew it. The reasons do not have to even be “good.”
Person 1: “Guys, I have to tell you something. I’m bankrupt.”
Person 2: “Yeah we knew that. It was in the papers.”
Person 3: “Yeah we knew that. I figured after you borrowed 10,000 from me and never mentioned it.”
Person 4: “Yeah we knew that. You told me already.”
This proves you don’t need to be offended. You can just start yes-anding.
Plugs
The World’s Greatest Improv School: The improv school I run with Jim Woods and Sarah Claspell. We’ve got classes online, in LA and even a few in NYC!
How to Be The Greatest Improviser On Earth - My improv book, available at Amazon. Kindle or print (also on my web site for more if you don’t want to buy from Amazon). It’s a hodge-podge of advice I wrote in 2016 about doing improv. If you’re broke and want a free PDF version just email me and I’ll send it over.
Subscribe!
Paid subscribers to this Substack get their own Q&A columns where they can ask questions. Start a paid subscription to get access to these Q&As.
Everything else is free for everyone. Thank you for reading!
I think part of why saying something like “coulda sworn” works is that it makes the hallucinating character the interesting thing.
These are all terrific. Kudos!