I’ve recently had a few students say how much they dislike the warm up game Zip Zap Zop. I was a bit confused. This harmless warm up? What’s wrong with it?
I get it though, it’s a pretty simple game with no real challenge and it’s not particularly fun. Everyone in a circle, players pass a single clap to one another saying “zip”, “zap”, then “zop” continuously in that order, over and over again. Sounds super simple. And boring, now that I read it. Warm ups are designed to literally warm up a part of your body before getting into the exercise and/or scenes of the listen. It’s a nice introduction to a class, and it can help shake off those pre-class nerves. If we understand what Zip Zap Zop is designed for, maybe we can understand what it’s helping us to do, and maybe we can even start to enjoy it. In his book ‘How To Be The Greatest Improviser In The World’, Will Hines explains that Zip Zap Zop is not being played properly. The whole point of ZZZ is to concentrate, so it’s strange to accept someone genuinely getting confused when a Zip, Zap, Zop lands on them, explains Hines. He’s right. Triple Z is not supposed to be a fun warm up, it’s supposed to help you concentrate, keep your mind focused on one goal. This might seem like a boring place to start an improv class but the truth is it can make you think about the necessities of an improv scene. Concentration can lead to listening hard to your partner, group mind is encouraged for group games, the speed in which you play can help you react quicker, and most importantly it put you in ‘the now’, right now in the moment. I’ve come up with a four step plan on how to play with the Z triplets. If you’re ever bored with one way of playing, or you think you’ve mastered it, go to the next step. Chances are if you’re someone who doesn’t like this warm up, you’ve probably outgrown it. Step one: Being in the moment. The simplest way of playing it, at your own time and pace, you’re being aware, you’re looking, you’re waiting, you’re ready. Step two: Speed. Exactly the same way but the group slowly starts to build up speed. Keep the speed going, if it gets faster, you get faster. See how quickly you can all go! If someone slows down the pace, no worries, start from the beginning, start slow again and build up. Step three: Listening. Someone in the circle can change the meaning of one of them zeezee’s. Zip, zap, zop, zip, zap, banana, zip, zap, banana. Once the change has been made, it becomes permanent. Listen to each other, play off the change, support it. You can change the word as many times as you want, but maybe give yourselves some time between the next change so you can get used to the first change. Step four: Group mind. This one’s my favourite. This is mostly seen in experienced improv teams before a gig or at rehearsals. The aim is to do anything, the rules don’t apply. The only thing that sticks is a passing of focus from one person to another. You can say anything, do anything, and that might seem risky as tomfoolery will be afoot, but you will notice a strong connection with the rest of your teammates. You’re supporting, yes anding, playing with patterns, you’re listening, you’re fully in the moment, it’s a great time. - John
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Written by- John Gallagher Portero Archives
June 2020
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