11 Improv Tips from a Galaxy Far, Far Away…
Darth Vader was a master tactician, lightsaber duelist, Sith Lord, and according to Obiwan Kenobi, a master of evil.
But reading a little between the lines, we can see Darth Vader’s true mastery and creative contribution to the world of improvisation.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite moments of Darth Vader stepping into his true Improvisational Storytelling power.
The first principle Darth Vader would want all improvisers to understand is:
1. Mentally & Physically Prepare
Before any improv show, practice, or rehearsal, sit quietly in your dark meditation chamber.
Prepare yourself so that you’re in the right mind state to be ready for anything. Because during improv shows, anything can happen, and will.
Darth Vader shares with us that it’s important to take time centering ourselves and warm-up mentally and emotionally.
2. Label Your Relationships
Darth Vader knows the power of relationships in life and in improv scenes.
Good relationships are key to good scenes. And clearing defining those goes a long way to amping up the drama, and moving things forward.
No one ever called Darth Vader a good father.
But he was very clear on labeling his relationship to Luke Skywalker when it suited his grander purpose.
And look at how Luke Skywalker was affected by this bold and clear declaration! He’s floored by it! It changes both of their lives from that point forward.
So make bold choices and label them clearly so the audience can follow and your scene partners can be affected. Thanks, Darth!
3. Label Other Character’s Relationships
Darth Vader shows us another character’s relationship when he says to Luke: “Sister”
Good job, Darth! Can you get more specific? “You have a twin sister”
He’s also fanning the flames in the moment to raise the stakes and the drama.
Bam! Darth, you are a pro!
4. Make Choices Clear to your Scene Partners and Audience
Make sure your audience is clear on what’s going on.
After killing some dude named Obi Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader clearly can be seen stepping on Obi-Wan’s empty robes.
Was this to make sure he wasn’t still in there?
Or to make it very clear to the audience (the stormtroopers watching) that he had won one heck of Duel, defeating his previous master in the process.Darth spelled out his success very nicely to them stormtroopers. Nice one Darth!
5. Be Positive When you Can, and Praise Your Teammates
Darth Vader in all his power of the dark side, still knew the precious power of compliments. After a nice little flipsy-flip, even though Vader is clearly beating Luke Skywalker in this light saber battle, Darth give Luke a compliment.
And not only that, Darth seems to be teaching us too that not all scenes need to be negative! Look for the positive in your scenes.. And let the other players know afterward when they’ve done something well.
Impressive tip, Darth! Impressive!
That brings us to the end of Part 1 of Darth Vader’s Guide to Improv.
Continue your study in the ways of the Force by reading Part 2 here!
>> Part 2 of Darth Vader’s Guide to Improv <<
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Want MORE Practice?!
Of course you do!
Here’s a short Fan the Flames Play-Along video clip from our online improv course “Become an Improv Wizard”.
We cover this concept and many, many more along with several Play-Along videos to practice with.
In this video sample, we’ll give you a short prompt, and you play along like your our scene partner, and FAN THOSE FLAMES! Make things worse!
You’ll have 30 seconds for each response. Don’t be nice, don’t polite, really make it hurt!
If you’d like to really take it to the next level, our online improv course “Become an Improv Wizard” has many Play-Along videos, including Starting Scenes, Getting Specific, Get Emotional, Character Creating Videos, and many more.
If you want more storytelling prompts in deluxe play-along video format, check out our course “Yes And Yourself” for hours of play-along prompts for stories and practice getting specific with things.
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"Become an Improv Wizard" is a PROVEN STEP-BY-STEP ONLINE IMPROV COURSE to Build CONFIDENCE, UNLEASH CREATIVITY, and BECOME FEARLESS through Improvisation
Lincoln Hoppe is an actor, writer, director, and father of 5. He is the the Co-Founder of Improv Wizards training school and Online Courses and Co-Director of the Society Comedy Troupe.