Most humans have some amount of mental imagery, or visual imagery. You might find that you use the visuals to help you build and remember improv scenes. The extreme ends are considered to be neurodivergence (they are called hyperphantasia and aphantasia), but regardless of what or how much you have you can do great improv.
For more information see “part 1” of this episode, which covers how visual imagination works and how it affects improv. You can find that episode here:
Episode 10: Hyperphantasia, Visual Imagination & Improv
So in this episode you learn about the spectrum of visual imagination, from lots to none, and explore how you imagine visual details in improv. I cover what the spectrum of phantasia is, from hyperphantasia to aphantasia, then go into how it affects improv.
This episode focuses how to use visual imagery for memory recall in scenes and forms such as a monoscene or macroscene.
I discuss how visual imagery relates to flash memory (I mention this study here: The role of visual imagery in autobiographical memory).
I also include some maybe-practical tips that include:
how to use this to improve your scenes (and why it’s important)
good forms to try if you want to enhance visuals
how to utilize these techniques for second beats of a scene
So if you’re working on how to remember and recall in your scenes better, consider strengthening your visual imagery techniques and see if it helps.
Thanks for stopping by, improv friend!
Thanks for reading! This article and the podcast episode it was based on was written/hosted/produced/whatever by me, Jen deHaan. You can blame me for the whole thing, it’s my fault.
Find the contact form for this podcast at FlatImprov.com/substack.
See the FlatImprov site for online shows, jams, and podcasts and stuff.
Improv Class: I have another online character class on April 13th at WGIS. Come say hi and do this class! This class is all about heightening YOU in a scene. BE YOU! You are good! It’s a one day workshop and it will be fun and you will learn new things about YOU. And improv. And characters. And fun.
REMINDER: I am alternating weeks of content. Podcast episode one week, written article the next. If you think you might want more content (extra podcast or article(s) per month) on this stuff, let me know by making a pledge to the substack.
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