You Look You Seem

This exercise is great for teaching scenes based on relationships and feelings. In fact a couple of improvisers we know use this as their main thing when performing scenes, and it creates beautiful relationship based scenes.

One improviser can use any dialogue they want in the scene. The other improviser can only say “You look” or “You seem” followed by what emotion they think the other person is genuinely feeling in that moment. The other person then totally embodies that emotion on that line. It may be the same emotion for a number of lines, or it may change frequently, but it is always based on the true emotions they see in each other.

After a short while they swap over in the scene so the other person is saying “You look” “You seem” but don’t swap characters.

After practicing this for a while you can also go back to doing normal scenes but with occasional use of “You look” “You seem”, this creates very connected relationship based scenes with lots of emotion.

Example

Improviser A: Happy birthday!

Improviser B: You look scarily excited.

Improviser A (eyes opened wide): I am excited! It’s your birthday! Yeah yeah yeah! Happy BIRTHDAY LET’S PARTY!

Improviser B: You seem excited.

Improviser A: WHOOOOAHHHH!!! PARTYY!!!!!!!

Top tip

  • Based the “you look” “you seem” on what they are actually feeling.
  • Use emotions, for instance “you look sad” rather than “you look like you want to take over the driving.”
  • Fully embrace the emotion you are given.
  • Commit.

Origin

This is a widely played game and we don’t know where it originates from, if you know let us know and we’ll add it here.

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