Improv Notes Monday 6/22/2020

Improv notes 6/22/20

Physical involvement with an object

Jon reminded us of the need to develop stillness. On a set, we cannot let gestures crop in.
We must look exactly the same in each take of a scene. (I hope I said that correctly).

Precede each exercise with deep relaxing breaths:
We were warned to not try to demonstrate or indicate but have the patience to wait to feel something.
Be slow. Don’t rush. This work is specific

The cognitive mind should disengage. It takes time to achieve a maximum amount of sensation so slow it down,
and let yourself enjoy it. (quote from Jon)

1. Jon asked us to experience the taste and smell of having a dill pickle in the mouth—without the actual pickle.
Varied experiences were reported: salivation, vinegar taste, revulsion, distaste, disgust. The texture of the pickle was noted as well as
its forms: chips or whole pickle. Ridges. Moisture. Temperature.

2. We repeated the exercise as if we had a live fish half inside the mouth/half out.
It was held in place with teeth and lips. It moved and tried to get down the throat.
We smelled and tasted the fish.

3. Next, hot, buttered, salty popcorn. The taste and the smell evoked olfactory
memories of a movie theater. I experienced, but forgot to mention, the acrid
smell of microwaved popcorn in the kitchen. Definitely unpleasant. Others
reported sensations like hard kernels going down the throat, greasy lips, desire
to wash greasy hands

We should have a very clear reaction to the food as if it were actually there. This is a skill set that needs to be developed.

Exercise involving plate:
The task was for the giver to present a plate of “party food” to the recipient. The recipient would accept the food onto
their plate and sense what the item is.
Smell it, look at it, handle it, taste, and eat it. The giver was to focus on one of the recipients to sense what the recipient
was sensorially experiencing.

Everything we do requires emphasis on experience.
Per Geoffrey: “Practice focused awareness”
Take the appropriate amount of time to do something including this.
Taking the needed time opens channels
Per Jon: Build a sense memory bed.