David Mamet on dramatic writing, I think it includes improv scene work.
These are excerpts taken from a memo written to the writers of The Unit. David Mamet is an Executive Producer for The Unit.
BUT NOTE:THE AUDIENCE WILL NOT TUNE IN TO WATCH INFORMATION. YOU WOULDN’T, I WOULDN’T. NO ONE WOULD OR WILL. THE AUDIENCE WILL ONLY TUNEIN AND STAY TUNED TO WATCH DRAMA.
Writers are tasked with creating things that happen. This is very true.
SO: WE, THE WRITERS, MUST ASK OURSELVES OF EVERY SCENE THESE THREE QUESTIONS.
1) WHO WANTS WHAT?
2) WHAT HAPPENS IF HER DON’T GET IT?
3) WHY NOW?
This is true with most forms, and, as I think of it now, in improv as well.
ANY TIME TWO CHARACTERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A THIRD, THE SCENE IS A CROCK OF SHIT.
And I’ve been seeing a lot of improv scenes about this lately, where we NEVER see the third person in the scene.
Do yourself a favor and read the whole thing. It’s pretty spot on. The use of all capitals is his.
