For the Actor--

Go with the first thing that comes to mind.
Say- “yes and…”
Use what is already there.
Make your partner look good.

For the Director—

Enhance what is already happening.
Keep the story path simple.
Encourage change and twists.
Suggest options simply.

For the Camera—

Close for emotion.
Wide for action.
Complement the other camera(s) coverage.
Allow action to suggest camera movement. Multiple cameras allow for editing.

Film Improv ---  The “Rules”

These are rules for a medium with no rules.  Any of these rules can be broken, but it’s useful to have somewhere to start. Sometimes I think calling them "tools" might be more agreeable.

The object of Film Improv is to come up with provocative. spontaneous scenes that can be woven into a short or an intelligent and entertaining feature length film. 

Creating a story with engaging characters is the most difficult part of the production.

The scenes must relate to each other and the characters must evolve logically.

I'm an advocate of the traditional three act structure. Though there have been long form films without structure, few, if any, are memorable. Without familiar structure, the audience gets lost.

But probably the most important thing in Film Improv is that people have fun doing it.

It's the sheer joy of creating that radiates off the screen and ignites an audience.

Max Reid -- max@4r.net