This is a continuation from an earlier post on the storytelling game Portkey. If you have not read the other post, you can find it here.
This conversation between an improviser in Canada and Matt will be useful for you when you lead this exercise.
I am a little confused about how to do this…Does he mean there is an object and the speaker starts to say ” it takes me to …”?
Matt Smith:
Yes. If you say “tooth brush” to me, I say “tooth brush takes me to”…and go to whatever my memory arrives. Of course, most of the time I can only approximate what I might see if I were there. It’s not about having a photographic memory, but a “photogenic” memory. And discovering details. Even if you make them up. When I feel like I’m done I throw an object from my ‘place’ to you…and you start with that object.
Wow, thank you so much. I really appreciate your detailed response. Could I ask one more question? After I say a toothbrush takes me to the washroom. What is the next step? Do I start a story about the washroom or I continue finding another object and say” it takes me to…” ?
Thank you again, and I can’t wait to practice it.
Matt Smith:
Well, this game has evolved with different groups. A lot of people do start a story. That’s fine, too. But the way I teach it, we try to avoid “narrative”. Nothing happens. Just observation of what we see there. I.e., “‘wash room’ takes me to the locker room at Seattle Prep HS. I see 5 boys standing around a milk shake machine drinking small cups of 10-cent fake milk shakes. There are metal lockers in a row. It is between classes. No one is using the locker room now. There are some showers and concrete floors. We are wearing high-water slacks, white shirts and ties, and have very short hair….so…(I throw to you..)”short hair” then you start,…”short Hair” takes me to my aunts salon on Prospect street. I am 9-years old…etc Does that help? Feel free to “change” the exercise. I like the “no narrative” because it adds color, and where, and subtle elements that inform the story in so many ways, and it engages both ourselves and others in the process.
Matt, thank you soooo much. I want to introduce this practice to my friends who are playing improv in my country. Besides, I hope I will have opportunities to practice it here. Welcome to Montreal.
A new name for Portkey
Matt tells me that he now calls this activity: Takes Me To. Perfect!
Find out more about Matt Smith at his blog site.
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