The ability to improvise can take various forms of expression and is applied across various fields: artistic, scientific, academic, business. Even though the art of improvising is rooted into the day-to-day activities and life itself, it is important to understand how the process of improvisation comes alive.
Improvisation In The Mind
The principles of improvisation are closely related to the principles of active imagination. Judith Weston (2003) uses this analogy as to portray the importance of ‘improvising in the mind’. Improvisation needs to be translated into a physical action in order for a real improvisation to occur. “When I imagine myself in a dress I am improvising in the mind; a real improv would involve actions such as actually going to the store and trying it on,” explains Weston in Film Director’s Intuition (Weston, 2003: 65).
Weston sees improvisation as a tool of helping the creative team members. Some suggestion of how improvisation techniques will help:
- Actors: enhance vivid imagination and encourages your commitment to always be focused on the moment.
- Directors: "In order for a director to be able to improvise in her imagination, she needs to get in touch with ‘the actor inside',"says Weston (2003: 65).
- Writers:Improvisational techniques would help a writer to transcend the world of a computer and the empty page and reach other dimensions.
Tip: Next time you’re plotting a scene, preparing for a part, visualising a storyboard, having problem with a scene that doesn’t cut, scoring a film or designing a set, try to use the ‘improvisation in the mind’ technique, suggested by Weston. It will help you prepare for the project and inspire new ideas.
Stanislavski On Improvisation, Intuition and Inspiration
Stanislavski, one of the greatest teachers of the art of acting, sees imagination and intuition as the primary tool for actors. In An Actor Prepares, Stanislavski (1937/2008) explains the roots of intuition, which he believes to be part of the subconscious. When an actor is in touch with a character intuitively, it enables him/her to feel all aspects of the character’s journey. Unfortunately, the predicament of accessing the subconscious kills the intuition.
According to Stanislavski, there are certain procedures that need to be followed when we’re trying to connect to our intuition. “To rouse your subconscious to creative work there is a special technique. We must leave all that is in the fullest sense subconscious to nature, and address ourselves to what is within our reach. When the subconscious, when intuition, enters into our work we must know how not to interfere,” explains Stanislavski (1937: 14)
What Stanislavski tries to communicate to us is that by mastering the artistic craft, no matter what position you have chosen in your Film/TV career, you will have a better chance of getting in touch with your intuition. By finding the moments of truth and following your gut feeling will not only help you to create outstanding performances, award winning film, beautiful costumes and pictures, but will also help you to understand your role as a creative individual within society.
Final Thoughts
Following Weston’s technique of ‘imagination in the mind’ and Stanslavski’s insights on intuition will help you act in the moment and follow your instinctive impulses in your chosen artistic career.
Iva Paneva - Iva Paneva is a freelance writer, actress and documentary filmmaker. Her writing career includes a range of conference and academic ...
Join the Conversation