#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 1

#ImprovYourBlog@alanbush

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Alan Bush Nerd

Dad and Husband

Long-Time Improvisor

Content Creator

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Technical Q&ADocumentationRackspace Blog

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RackspaceOffice Hours Podcast

ohpodcast.com

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Beer reviewssaflavor.com

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ComedySportzSan Antonio

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Improv Your Blog

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The Rules of Improv have shaped the way I approach content

creation. me, figuring out the thesis of this presentation

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The hardest thing about writing is writing.

Nora Ephron

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No.#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 12

Yes#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 13

How is Improv like Writing? Spontaneous

Ephemeral

Made up

Collaborative

A process

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Yes

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Fall, and then figure out what to do on the way

down. Del Close

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A ridiculously short1 history of improv

1 I'm only exploring improv in the western world, and I've completely left off Keith Johnstone, Jill Bernard, The Groundlings, UCB, or Trish Berrong - among others - but I'm up against a time limit here.

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Viola Spolin (1906-1994)

Theatre games for children

"Everyone can act. Everyone can improvise.

Improvisation for the Theater

Mother of Paul Sills

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Paul Sills (1927-2008)

Compass Players (With David Shepherd)

Launched an entire generation of comedic actors

Co-Founded Second City

Story Theater

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Del Close (1934-1999)

Performer and Director

Second City

ImprovOlympic

Truth in Comedy

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Charna Halpern (1952- )

Truth in Comedy

ImprovOlympic

The Harold

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Yes,&

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Improv Rule 1A: Say "Yes"

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Improv Rule 1B: Add Something

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Now you're improvising

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The End#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 28

More Rules Tips

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Be specific#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 30

What's special about today?

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If this is true, what else is true?

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Callbacks#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 33

Follow The Rules:Agreement

Say "Yes" to writing

There are no wrong ideas

Build on your ideas: "Yes, &"

Have Fun

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Follow The Rules:Specificity

More detail, more insight

Readers appreciate detail

Summary is for Twitter

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Follow The Rules:What's special about today?

What else is happening in the world?

How does that affect your content?

Follow the unique angle

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Follow The Rules:"If this is true, what else is true?"

Find your angle

Spin off additional posts

Increase the amount of content you create

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Follow The Rules:Callbacks

Reference your own work

Link to your past posts

Reward your long-time followers

Link to other people's work

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The Rules of Improv

Yes, &

Be Specific

What'Special About Today?

If This Is True, What else?

Callbacks

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Books about Improv Improvisation for the Theater - Viola Spolin

Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre - Keith Johnstone

Truth in Comedy - Del Close & Charna Halpern

Improvise:Scene from the Inside Out - Mick Napier

Jill Bernard's Small Cute Book of Improv - Jill Bernard

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Local Shows ComedySportz

Alamo City Improv

The Denials

Missed Opportunity (All Female Cast)

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Improv Classes ComedySportz

Alamo City Improv

The Denials

Missed Opportunity

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Questions What did you learn?

What can I clear up?

How do you plan on applying it?

Find me afterward and chat

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Slides, Resource Guide, and Photo Credits available at

albush.com/iyb

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Photo Credits

Slide 11: flickr photo by Drew Coffman https://flickr.com/photos/drewcoffman/4815205632 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Slide 18: flickr photo by trickmonet https://flickr.com/photos/trickmonet/3401178634 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Slide 20: Photo from Viola Spolin official website: http://www.violaspolin.org/bio/

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Photo Credits

Slide 21: Photo from spolin.org: http://spolin.com/?page_id=547

Slide 22: Photo from Chicago Reader: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/as-del-lay-dying/Content?oid=1109931

Slide 23: Photo from iO: http://ioimprov.com/chicago/classes/instructors/

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