Improv Media
Television, podcasts, and films with direct roots in improv performers, institutions, or improvisational process.
The Big Sick
Kumail Nanjiani, a graduate of iO Chicago's Harold Night, co-wrote this semi-autobiographical romantic comedy with Emily V. Gordon. Nanjiani and director Michael Showalter drew on the improvisational comedy tradition at iO Chicago for the film's naturalistic performance style. The Big Sick received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and became one of the most critically praised comedies of 2017.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone — The Lonely Island — wrote, directed, and starred in this mockumentary about a pop superstar's disastrous solo tour. Samberg's background in UCB comedy and Saturday Night Live character work is evident in the precision of his performance. The film combines the mockumentary format with original pop songs performed in character.
Bridesmaids
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote the script, but director Paul Feig and the cast — which includes Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, and Wendi McLendon-Covey — relied heavily on improvisation throughout production. Wiig's background in UCB and Second City shaped the film's comedic sensibility. Bridesmaids became one of the highest-grossing female-led comedies in history and demonstrated the box-office potential of improv-driven ensemble film.
For Your Consideration
Christopher Guest's improvised mockumentary satirizes the awards season culture surrounding independent film. The film follows the cast and crew of a low-budget period drama as internet buzz about Oscar consideration begins to affect the production. The ensemble includes Harry Shearer, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, and Fred Willard.
A Mighty Wind
Christopher Guest's improvised mockumentary chronicles three folk music acts reuniting for a memorial concert. The film features original folk songs co-written by Guest, Eugene Levy, and Michael McKean, performed in character. The integration of improvised dialogue with original music composition represents a significant formal achievement in the history of the improvised film.
The Delmonic Interviews
A documentary film by Cesar Jaime and Jeff Pacocha built from interviews with Del Close’s students, collaborators, and friends as a tribute to his influence on modern improv.
Best in Show
Christopher Guest's improvised mockumentary follows five dog owners competing at the Mayflower Dog Show in Philadelphia. The ensemble includes Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Jennifer Coolidge, Parker Posey, Michael Hitchcock, and Fred Willard. Best in Show was widely praised for the precision and specificity of its improvisational character work and remains one of the most commercially successful improvised feature films.
Waiting for Guffman
Christopher Guest directed and starred in this improvised mockumentary about a small-town Missouri community mounting an original musical for its sesquicentennial celebration. The cast, including Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard, Parker Posey, and Bob Balaban, worked entirely from an outline. Waiting for Guffman was the first in Guest's series of feature-length improvised ensemble comedies.
This Is Spinal Tap
Rob Reiner directed this foundational mockumentary about a fictional British heavy metal band, with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer improvising the majority of the dialogue and their characters' interactions. This Is Spinal Tap established the template for the mockumentary format in American cinema and demonstrated that full-length improvised narrative film was commercially viable.
Mike Leigh Movies
A reference entry for the body of Mike Leigh films developed through his improvisation-driven rehearsal and character-building process before shooting.