Could Whose Line Is It Anyway? Work as a movie? (1 Viewer)

[DeathStar1]

I was thinking about this recently. Has there ever been a movie that was completly improvised? It would be interesting to see what they could come up with.
It could have a loose plot, a general description by cast and crew as to what should happen, but other than that, they should have free rein to do anything they want...
As to plots...4 Goofy guys have this great idea for a show. First half, it's on to find the perfect host, finale, on to find the perfect country/network .
Could it work?

 

[Keith Paynter]

Has there ever been a movie that was completly improvised?

THIS IS SPINAL TAP

The "story" was written on 3x5 cards, but no dialogue was ever specifically written. As often as possible, first takes were used, to keep the film sponatneous.

 

[Neil_S]

THIS IS SPINAL TAP

Wasn't "Waiting for Guffman" also done this way... And come to think of it, "Best in Show". Hmmm... I think I'm noticing a trend. Wait a minute! Christopher Guest is too lazy to write a script!!

 

[Peter McDonald]

What about Time Code 2000 (or something like that)? With Salma Hayek...

Peter

 

[Graeme Clark]

Wasn't "Waiting for Guffman" also done this way... And come to think of it, "Best in Show". Hmmm... I think I'm noticing a trend. Wait a minute! Christopher Guest is too lazy to write a script!!

Why write a script when the stuff they come up with on the spot is usually just as good, if not better than the drivel that most screenwriters output>

 

[Randy Tennison]

Guffman, Spinal Tap and Best in Show were all improvised, based upon a general idea of plot.
However, improv does not transfer to video or film well. You lose something when it is not live. I'm not sure why, but there is something about live improv that is much better. I have watched video of some of the shows I have been in, and they definately don't play as well on video. Whose Line plays pretty well, but there is nothing like seeing it live.
If you're in Kansas City, come see us at Comedy City(formerly Comedy Sportz). 15 years of improv, and going strong!

 

[Paul Richardson]

Another movie that was mostly improvised was Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me.

 

[Jason Seaver]

Well, that explains a lot re AP2. A lot of that could have seemed really funny on the set despite belly-flopping upon viewing.

There's also Mike Leigh's films; he generally only has an outline, with the story coming together as the actors flesh out their characters. A few years ago Secrets And Lies was nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar, and when the awards ceremony incorporated the screenplay into the visuals, Secrets And Lies was represented by something that looked like half brainstorm, half storyboard.

 

[Scott D S]

Could it work?

God, I hope so! I'd love to see a film with the Whose Line...? cast or, better yet, a film of one of their live appearances.

 

[Keith Paynter]

There was 2-hour live Las Vegas improv PPV special which featured Drew Carey hosting with Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood and (Mimi - Forgot her name) last year - the first and second hour were fairly similar in content (intermission break), and one of the best bits was a skit that had Drew blindfolded and had to perform the scene barefoot while there were thumbtacks spread on the stage - out of pity they didn't do it again in the second hour. Joe Walsh even made cameos to perform a la Laura Hall.

I taped it to be on the safe side. It has not been released on home video to my knowledge.

 

[Randy Tennison]

AP2 was not improvised. It was very much scripted, as I read a copy of the script on the internet months before the release of the movie.

However, with that said, much of the script was written through improvisation. That is the way many improvisers turned stars write their material. You improvise ideas, and then write down the ones that work.

As I said before, get out and support your local improv club. Times are lean right now, and many of the clubs are offering great admission discounts. It's a great evening of fun for the whole family!