There is one thing that fascinates me about improv and that is how it is portrayed in Television and Film. This is becoming more and more apparent in recent years because the comedy art form is sort of in fashion. There are some interesting topics that we can gain from these ways they are displayed so every so often we are going to look at different scenes from different shows and films.

If there is one person who is very good at creating characters then it is Jim Carrey. One way to make great characters in improv is by choosing a part of th e body to lead your characres walk – by doing this it leads to unique an creative creations on stage.

Jim is one of my childhood heroes and also one of my favourite actors. He is a   fantastic example of someone who is great at molding into different characters that are all different and have features and quirks that really stand out. Before I discuss this anymore, this sketch from SNL perfectly defines this.

The Carrey Reunion

Whilst a lot of his characters have an underlining factor of Jim about them, they all have exceptionally different types of personas and quirks which make him a great person to watch and learn from. Even when he is in a film or on television, Jim is known for being an improviser on set and some of the best parts of some films have been completely made up on the spot because that is what he does. He forms such strong characters that he ends up getting wrapped up in them and bringing them completely to life. A great example from the Carrey back catalogue of the actor allowing his body lead the way of the character is one of his most famous SNL sketches. Whilst it was probably planned in advance, the leading of the actors chin really makes the character the way that he is, if he was leading from his pelvis or arm it would of been entirely different.