improvisation

Launched in fall 2015 by the university’s School of Dramatic Arts, the comedy performance minor also includes classes in improvisation and magic, among other subjects.

“I saw an opportunity there. I want to teach improvisation in L.A. That’s what I can give to this community,” she says.

Director Steve Carr, whose credits include the comedies “Next Friday” and “Daddy Day Care,” encouraged improvisation as he strived to recreate the magic of the season — easier said than done.

When DiCaprio cut loose with long improvisations, like when his character, a burnout revolutionary, argues on the phone with headquarters, the crew played it safe by capturing his takes with a conventional film camera.

Its brief, exquisite melody glides in like a slow tide, and eventually releases into eddies of improvisation.