Thanks for this question! So, yeah, you should always be sure you get the takes you need to get the sketch exactly as scripted.
I think the best time for improv is at the end of the day, in a wide shot. This is not always possible depending on your shooting schedule, but great when it works. Getting improv in the wide means you don't have to worry about coverage as much, since you're getting reactions at the same time. Waiting until the end of the day means the actors are all loose and rehearsed.
Of course, sometimes improv naturally bubbles up before the end of the day or after you've already done the wide. In that case I'd say let the actor have two or three loose improv takes. Even if you don't end up using it, it can be good for the final performance. Something the actor felt in that improv might inform the next "as-scripted" take. If you're not liking the improv, politely ask for another take as scripted. If you think there's a chance you'll use something, tell them the part you liked and then get another as scripted take for safety, and so it becomes a normal, non-punitive thing to return to the script. Be sure to get reactions and any other coverage you need to make the improv work in the final cut. These are also largely directorial questions, so I'll have to be sure to schedule a chat with a director too for better tips!
I'd love to hear more about how you "aim for improv" when directing people. I struggle with this because I've often seen it go off the rails haha. It feels easy to lose the work you've done to have the script make sense while still being paced properly. Plus if you're filming, it adds a ton of work during editing.
But like you said, there's gold in those improvised moments. I've moved away from them over time though because of time constraints and deadlines. It feels easier to have everyone stick to the script. How do you balance it?
PS - For anyone doing camera work, this old school video of Michael Caine teaching acting on film and knowing the shot was pretty great: https://youtu.be/bZPLVDwEr7Y
Thanks for this question! So, yeah, you should always be sure you get the takes you need to get the sketch exactly as scripted.
I think the best time for improv is at the end of the day, in a wide shot. This is not always possible depending on your shooting schedule, but great when it works. Getting improv in the wide means you don't have to worry about coverage as much, since you're getting reactions at the same time. Waiting until the end of the day means the actors are all loose and rehearsed.
Of course, sometimes improv naturally bubbles up before the end of the day or after you've already done the wide. In that case I'd say let the actor have two or three loose improv takes. Even if you don't end up using it, it can be good for the final performance. Something the actor felt in that improv might inform the next "as-scripted" take. If you're not liking the improv, politely ask for another take as scripted. If you think there's a chance you'll use something, tell them the part you liked and then get another as scripted take for safety, and so it becomes a normal, non-punitive thing to return to the script. Be sure to get reactions and any other coverage you need to make the improv work in the final cut. These are also largely directorial questions, so I'll have to be sure to schedule a chat with a director too for better tips!
Thanks for this! Very helpful.
I'd love to hear more about how you "aim for improv" when directing people. I struggle with this because I've often seen it go off the rails haha. It feels easy to lose the work you've done to have the script make sense while still being paced properly. Plus if you're filming, it adds a ton of work during editing.
But like you said, there's gold in those improvised moments. I've moved away from them over time though because of time constraints and deadlines. It feels easier to have everyone stick to the script. How do you balance it?
PS - For anyone doing camera work, this old school video of Michael Caine teaching acting on film and knowing the shot was pretty great: https://youtu.be/bZPLVDwEr7Y