In the last few years improv has dramatically evolved. It is crazy to see how far it has come and it is scary that you can watch videos now and not be sure whether they are real or fake. I mean, I shouldn’t be interested in how a caramel or honey typing keyboard would sound or feel like but here we are – this is what AI has become.

However, whilst it AI is making a lot of people fearful for things such as jobs, how it is going to change the world etc. I thought I would use it. Over the whole of October, I am going to have conversations with AI. There are many different things that can be talked about when it comes to improv and I wanted to see what AI had to say. I am going to talk specifically to two different AI bots to see if they offer different things, ChatGPT and Codepilot. I am sure each AI ‘robot’ will speak differently so lets see what they have to say about this weeks topic.

Today’s Topic – Improv, What’s The Worst That Could Happen?

I could finish off this strand of articles asking AI the standard questions of what is the future of improv or why do people still enjoy improv etc. but I didn’t want to do that. Instead I wanted to delve into the question – what is the worst thing that could actually happen to improv?

Firstly lets head to Codepilot – the first concern that it raises is that improv could be damaged if it starts to rely heavily on technology that it takes the spontaneity out of it. If improv starts to rely on things like tech more, it may lead to audiences not ‘trusting’ performers and that the creativity is not real.

Codepilot also discusses the fact that our cultures and lifestyles are rapidly evolving fur to the way that we are now ,more connected and it could lead to the downfall in improv. Improvisers may not want to take ‘risks’ and make ‘mistakes’ just in case it ends up on social media or what they have said or done accidentally offends and leading to the whole world of cancel culture. This doesn’t necessarily mean highly offensive stuff, it could just be something very simple taken the wrong way or a scene that makes the player look ‘idiotic’ and could lead to players not feeling safe on stage.

Another important point that Codepilot makes is that there is a double edged sword. If improv leans too heavily into technology it has a concern of losing it’s creativity but if it sticks with traditional formats it has the concern of being left behind and will start to stagnate.

According to ChatGPT:

” The worst thing that could happen to improv is losing it’s core spirit of play, trust and freedom “

ChatGPT

ChatGPT states that the worst thing that could happen to improv scenes is the collapse of theatre. This has already happened in some places due to covid or even the cost of living. It is really hard to keep surviving in today’s society and it is an upward constant battle. I don’t think it is one that is going away anytime soon.

The last point that ChatGPT and I want to make about the comedy form of improv is trust. It is a really important part of the comedy form and it needs to be there to create successful improv. If trust breaks down so does the improv. Also, good improv relies on collaboration – if one persons ego takes over a scene or a show it can ‘steamroll’ and ruin it and also the trust between players.

I don’t think improv is going anywhere soon but it needs to be fought to keep it alive. The battle is only just beginning but it will get through it if it always develops.

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