Why do you think people are mostly doing vertical heightening? Is this about being less familiar with horizontal, or is something going wrong when they are being taught?
Vertical is easier! You are copying something that has already happened. Horizontal is more creative - you have to venture to part of the world where you have not yet been.
I think some of it is that Vertical is just more obvious to people, especially when they’re learning. Horizontal requires a bit of being able to step back and get a wider view to make connections. Which is hard to do in a scene if you’re newer. It’s more of a skill that is really only built with experience.
Since a lot of people get solidified improv habits early on, it entrenches them into more Vertical thinking. And really, it can still work and work really well. But there’s even better and deeper things you can do if you’re able to adopt some of the Horizontal thinking Will talked about here.
Wow, it’s been 10 years since I’ve done any improv but this article really helped me understand some of the frustrations I had with heightening. I always felt like people expected vertical heightening and groups would abandon something fun in a game because it wasn’t ’what we’re supposed to do’. Putting this out there made something click and reminded me what’s fun about improv. Thanks!
Examples are perfect, no notes.
Why do you think people are mostly doing vertical heightening? Is this about being less familiar with horizontal, or is something going wrong when they are being taught?
Vertical is easier! You are copying something that has already happened. Horizontal is more creative - you have to venture to part of the world where you have not yet been.
I think some of it is that Vertical is just more obvious to people, especially when they’re learning. Horizontal requires a bit of being able to step back and get a wider view to make connections. Which is hard to do in a scene if you’re newer. It’s more of a skill that is really only built with experience.
Since a lot of people get solidified improv habits early on, it entrenches them into more Vertical thinking. And really, it can still work and work really well. But there’s even better and deeper things you can do if you’re able to adopt some of the Horizontal thinking Will talked about here.
Wow, it’s been 10 years since I’ve done any improv but this article really helped me understand some of the frustrations I had with heightening. I always felt like people expected vertical heightening and groups would abandon something fun in a game because it wasn’t ’what we’re supposed to do’. Putting this out there made something click and reminded me what’s fun about improv. Thanks!