All this month, we are taking a look back at articles we have written earlier this year – today we look at an article about silent films that was written in April

Silence can play an incredibly important part in a good improv scene – it is also something that can be completely underrated by players. There is always an eagerness to talk wherever there is a piece of quiet in a scene and sometimes this can really weaken the moment.

I think something that all improvisers should do is take the time to watch some of the silent films from the golden era by Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton and watch a few scenes in depth. I am not talking about the stunts, I am talking about the facial expressions. One thing that can be missed in improv scenes is the odd facial expressions or slight movements of a hand or an eyebrow can really lift a scene.

Improv can be really hard to sometimes think of the right thing to say in a moment – if you cannot – don’t! Instead use that time to move a body part, change your facial expression and it actually may create a much stronger scene.