Improv Freeze Fix! Set Up In Advance as a Default Move

You're in a scene, it's your turn, and your brain goes somewhere else. Going blank on stage, hitting that freeze, is near the top of most improvisers' fear lists, and I want to add something new to the pile of advice about it. I have new things to say about this thing, possibly even something that's a fix. Basically, you need to sort out your default move.Most advice about the improv freeze(tm) tells you to say or do the next thing, anything at all, and that does work a lot of the time. It can also be the exact thing that froze you in the first place, yuck, especially if you're a neurodivergent improviser with a long history of being told you read the moment wrong or missed the subtext or that unsaid thing that we were supposed to guess or assume. Yuck.In this episode I offer one more way to think about why the freeze happens, and one specific thing you can sort out ahead of time so you're not making a decision while you're already flooded. I also get into why the pause you're sitting in might be more useful than you think. Ooo foreshadowing and clickbait!What you'll learn:Why that blank feeling might be the opposite of blankThe link between a fear of being wrong and a full-body shutdown-y stall-out on stageWhy "just say anything" can backfire for some improvisers and isn't useful on its own without some more info, data, or nuanceThe three modes most improvisers default to, and how to find yours! With details!How to practise your emergency move in everyday life so it's ready when you need it! Planning for improv scenes! No, no, it's not like that.Chapters:0:00 The moment your brain leaves the scene1:03 The classic advice, and where it can fall apart2:08 What I'm adding this time2:27 The reframe to try on3:57 The fear of being wrong, and my hypothesis about it6:05 Embracing the pause6:47 Visual, kinesthetic, and vocal moves8:00 Why choosing under pressure is its own problem9:27 Sorting your default out in advance11:41 Practising it with random triggers13:44 Off Script workshops14:20 The short version, the tldr; at the very damn end of the episode muahahaWorkshops:Off Script workshops, monthly, online, small group, neuroinclusive, cameras off welcome: https://YourImprovBrain.com/offscript <-- it will be fun, please come join.Related episodes:Mind Blank on Stage? A 3-Step Reboot for Your Brain https://youtu.be/uEdWr4QfRCAMind goes Blank on Initiations: https://youtu.be/8HXZl0LS7AUA Source of Great Improv Ideas (bonus: Get Out of Your Head) https://youtu.be/32QbDf9C-wgClear Mind = Get Out of Your Head in Improv https://youtu.be/QtTu7SvUm-A3-Step System & Exercise to Manage Self-Criticism in Improv https://youtu.be/d7X1gFgtkn8Downloadable contentDownload the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://yourimprovbrain.com/notesGet a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"Get more downloadable booklets here: https://yourimprovbrain.com/shopReview the showPlease consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options.Apple Podcasts | PodchaserIt helps out! Thanks!Support the showLike this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://learn.improvupdate.com/products/supportWe love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytzWe have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8nddTranscriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqkSchedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZRSupport the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2jAboutThis podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here.This podcast was written, recorded and edited in British Columbia, Canada by Jen.Mentioned in this episode:Visit Your Improv BrainWorkshops, this show, newsletter & Jams, downloads and more. https://YourImprovBrain.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacyPodcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyPodtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp