The Easiest way to Improvise – Combine 2 Elements

• How do you Improvise?
• Combine 2 Things.
• Which Things?
• Any Things.

Summary – 4 steps to an easy Improvisation

1. Pick a 1st Element
2. Add a 2nd Element
3. Define 3 Relationships between these 2 Elements
4. Add another Element

• Improvisation is Visualization.
• Imagining the Object, Character or Environment you try to flesh out is the easiest way to make it believable.
• Visualize the Unique Properties of this Item.
• What makes it Memorable?



2 Elements

• Any 2 elements?
• 2 Elements is all you need to create Thematic Contrast.
• And Contrast is all you need to create Interest.
• You will need a Funny element.
• A Shocking element.
• And a Deep (or Serious) element.
• It offers you 3 types of Combination :
  • Funny + Shocking
  • Deep + Shocking
  • Funny + Deep

• 1st Element – The Tension
• In the case of a Short Story, it would be called a Setup.
• Characters, Environment, Items & Stories all have a Tension Element.
• What is the Tension Element for a Character?
• Her Goal.
• The Character’s Goal will guide all her Actions.
• What is the Tension Element for an Item?
• Its Function.
• An Item is defined, most often, by its Function.
• What is the Tension Element for an Environment & a Story?
• Environments & Stories are easier to improvise together.
• As an Environment is created so is its Story.
• Define the Stakes & Stakeholders.
• Then explain how they generate an Issue.
• Establishing a synergy between the Stakes & the Issue is essential.
• You need a causality to then resolve the situation.

• 2nd Element – The Resolution
• In the case of a Short Story, it would be called a Punchline.
• What is the Resolution Element for a Character?
• Her Appearance.
• The Appearance of a Character is the transcription of her Goal.
• What is the Resolution Element for an Item?
• Its Use.
• Especially if the Item’s Use is different from its intended Use.
• What is the Resolution Element for an Environment & a Story?
• Once the Stakes & Issues are defined you need a resolution.
• Imagine 3 Options.
• You don’t need more than 3 Options whatever you’re creating.
• Imagine 3 Triggers.
• And how each of them leads to a different Resolution.

You can also consider that the Tension is the Idea.
While the Resolution is its Execution.

If you want to know more about Improvisation & Diversity.



Paradoxes & Synergy

• Paradoxes
• Establishing a Paradox is simple.
• Create a Distortion between the Supposed Role & the Effective Role of any Element.
• Think about the most Inappropriate Use for a specific Item.
• Think about the most Inappropriate Behavior for a specific Character type.
• Think about the most Inappropriate Element to find in a specific Environment.
• Think about an Element which would distort the Frame or the Genre of your Story.
• To Establish a Synergy, do the opposite.

• Synergy & Complementarity
• Synergies make for a Consistent world.
• Consistency & Diversity make your World immersive.
• Complementarity is better in the long term.
• It indicates a Sustainable World.
• Interactions make all Elements of your World more believable :
  • Relationships generate Stories.
  • Stories happen in Environments.
  • Generally, Environments contain Items.
  • And Items tends to make Relationships evolve.
• It’s a simple Cycle.

• You may want to look Illogical
• Paradox Creates Interest.
• Paradox indicates a potential Danger.
• Which is why they drag one’s attention much more than synergies.
• Paradoxes are the easiest way to create memorable moments & Characters.
• Think about the divergence between Tension & Resolution.
• Make them Antipodes.

• The 3 Relationships
• You want to compare 3 Dimensions :
  • Nature
  • Role – World
  • Function – Story
• By Comparing these 3 Dimensions you’ll establish Paradoxes & Synergies.

If you want to know more about Coherence & Consistency.

Adding more Elements

• 3 Options
• Think about 3 Options for each Situation.
• When your Main Characters interact with other Characters they should be able to resolve their conflicts in multiple ways.
• Even if these ways are slightly different.
• If they are trading or looking for Information, they should be able to obtain this piece of Information :
  • for Money,
  • by offering something other than money,
  • by Force.
• To create diversity allow the violent option, but make it the less appealing.

• Why add more Elements?
• A 3rd element adds Complexity.
• And Complexity deepens your Stories.
• Aggregating & Coherence happens eventually.
• All elements of your World are subject to change.
• This Change happens independently of any Character’s intervention.
• It’s an Incremental evolution :
  • Test
  • Fail
  • Restart

• Example – Hidden Characters
• When it comes to Hidden Characters the Tension element is the Intention.
• Which is similar to the Goal.
• However the Intention is more visible than the Goal.
• It is the manifestation of the Goal.
• It’s therefore, the way to Display the Character’s true Goal.
• How to Create a Hidden Character?
  1. Define the Character’s Goal.
  2. Give the Character a Role allowing her to hide her Goal
  3. Let her behave in a way which is coherent with her Goal

If you want to know more about Immersion & Complexity.



Canvas & 24 Examples

• Your Canvas & why create 24 Examples
• Create them for Yourself.
• Create them so that they Entertain you.
• Create these Templates to reduce your Workload.
• These Elements can be reused in any Story.
• Create them to develop the Improvisation Habit.
• To make the task easier create 1 per day.

• During the next Month create 24 Objects for your next Story :
  • 6 Characters – define their Goal, Origins, Intent & Role.
  • 6 Environments – define the Atmosphere & Role.
  • 6 Stories – define their Genre & Frame.
  • 6 Items – define their Function & Use.

• Once you’ve filled table you can reuse it for any other Story.
• As long as you alter some elements.

Objects	Name	Goal/Function	Atmosphere/Origins	Intent/Behavior	Use/Role	Genre	Frame
Characters – Funny
Shocking
Deep
Funny + Shocking
Deep + Shocking
Funny + Deep
Environments – Funny
Shocking
Deep
Funny + Shocking
Deep + Shocking
Funny + Deep
Stories – Funny
Shocking
Deep
Funny + Shocking
Deep + Shocking
Funny + Deep
Items – Funny
Shocking
Deep
Funny + Shocking
Deep + Shocking
Funny + Deep

If you want to know more about Canvas & Templates.