Edit-cation ~ Volume 1, Issue 6
Life is a “Revolving Door”
Remember, all edits must serve the scene that is on stage currently, not the scene we want to bring in from the sides. The original scene is being shown to the audience for a reason. It is up to the folks on the side of the stage to serve the scene with the edit.
What is a Revolving Door?
A revolving door is a way of transforming a character on stage. It is initiated when the scene is doing something that causes the players on stage to change form.
A player on the side runs out and trades places with the player being transformed. The new player is now the same character (but transformed) and is in the exact same time and place that the scene was in before the revolving door. Think Clark Kent changing into Superman by spinning the revolving door really fast. The time and place stay the same, but the character has changed.
How do I initiate a Revolving Door?
When a player on the side see a moment of transformation, the player runs out on stage. They put them self back to back with the player being transformed. The player hooks arms with the player on stage and spins a 180 with both players turning at the same time. The player who ran in takes over the scene in the exact moment that the spin occurred (no time/space change). The player who is spun out runs off. To transform back, just turn the revolving door again.
Revolving Door Example:
John: Jennifer, I have been working on this “protein” shake. I think you will like what it does to your body.
Jennifer: Okay (Jennifer drinks it. A male player runs in and does a revolving door)
Jennifer (new player): I love it! Do I look hot?
In the above example the player who ran on to do the revolving door did so because they heard something on stage signal that a transformation is going to take place.
Why should I do a Revolving Door?
Revolving doors almost always get laughs and change the expectations and status quo of the scene.
Reasons to execute a Revolving Door?
If the scene is a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde type of scene. If the girl kisses the frog. If there is a potion or a magic wand. Anytime you want to show big changes in an instant.
Cautions:
- Revolving Doors are rare. Your scene partner may have no idea what you are doing the first couple of times.
- The Revolving Door should be done to be honest to the scene and not just to get a laugh.
- Like any edit where someone is removed from the scene, they player who left can come back at anytime if the scene calls for it.
Revolving Doors are fun and add to the wow factor of a scene. Have fun with them!
Happy Improv!
Eric