As I noted in an earlier entry examination the fourth commandment of Theatresports here, while most companies discourage gagging on the improv stage, there are games where word play and whimsy are required – hence this week’s choice of My Movie, My Movie, My Movie.
The Basics
Players form a line at the edge of the stage and are led by a conductor (another player or the host for the event). A movie category, style, or similar prompt is obtained. Players, when signaled, all chant “My Movie, My Movie, My Movie,” and then the conductor nominates a random player to offer an original title that meets the given category. The conductor might ask for additional information regarding the current choice before a new player is nominated with a definitive point. The titular chant repeats (unless you’re craving a faster style of play), and a new invented title is provided. The game typically rotates through three or four different audience prompts in this fashion, with each round culminating in a particularly memorable creation.
Example
The audience provides the prompt of “Science Fiction” and the initials “D.C.” The host kneels in front of the players who have formed a line and begin by chanting “My Movie, My Movie, My Movie.” As each player is nominated, they provide a new movie title:
Player A: “Deep Cosmos”
Player B: “Desperate Computers”
Player C: “Dance of the Cyborgs…”
The Focus
There isn’t a lot of time to think and plan in this game, which is a large part of its charm and gift. Remember, the longer that you stall as a player, the more time the audience has had to come up with something with which to compare your idea! Encourage players to throw themselves at the titles: often the best are truly formulated syllable by syllable before the audience’s eyes. Most players I know actually find the addition of the guiding initials (modeled above) as a handle more liberating than thwarting as it provides some boundaries to create within.
Traps and Tips
1.) Use the chant to keep energy and attack high. It’s a fun gimmick of the game and stops it from becoming too ponderous, so really embrace the chant when it’s cued by the conductor (usually to start each round, and typically to bump up the energy between titles as deemed necessary).
2.) Explore the potential of the titles. The conductor can request additional information for titles that are particularly fun or ripe with artistic opportunities. I’ve asked for descriptions of the movie poster, the tagline, the elevator pitch, and the like, and will often end the game as a whole with a quickly staged climactic scene or song.
3.) Pace the addition of handles so as not to overwhelm. It’s helpful to gently crank up the level of challenge. Perhaps start with one initial and a style, and then raise the bar to two or three initials. As I’ve noted above, in my experience, at least one initial seems to aid in the creative process and most players struggle with an opening round that has little or no prompt to inspire the choices.
4.) Don’t forget charm and callbacks. Players can really make rather mundane titles fun and memorable with added playfulness, and the format invites the discovery of patterns and games. A well-timed callback to a previous title will often provide a strong out.
5.) Be careful of outstaying your welcome. Be wary of letting rounds loiter too long. We often used this game in our version of Gorilla Theatre at SAK Comedy Lab where there were just three of us playing with the director serving as the conductor. We might get through the company once or twice before changing it up with a new audience suggestion.
In Performance
This is such a fun, high-energy addition to a playlist. We exploited it quite frequently in the decade-long run of Gorilla Theatre but usually with some frame that shook it up a little. I’ve done “Deal Breakers,” where we jammed movie titles, and then, when asked, players had to provide the element or casting choice that turned the movie sour. We also changed the focus from movies on occasion: one of my teammates introduced a “My Cocktail” version, which was particularly memorable. Here, we had to come up with original cocktail names and then list the ingredients if we stumbled upon a winner!
Cheers, David Charles.
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Connected Concept: Commandment #4
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