In the spirit of developing acting ability, I always crave good examples of acting in animation and in live action. A friend of mine shared with me a video of David Razowsky a while back, and I recently came across the improv actor's website.

Razowsky is particularly good at informing his actions with the context of the scene. I was once told by an improv instructor:

"Never let your imaginary props vanish"

If you are drinking from an imaginary mug in a shot, make sure you put it down before you start gesturing with the holding hand- or gesture as if you have a mug in your hand. Why is this more entertaining? Because it informs your gestures. It is much more unique to be angry while trying not to spill the contents of a mug, than it is to be angry on a stage waving your arms around.

Here is a clip.

Right at the beginning, Razowsky made me laugh by reminding his partner that her fake clothes were still on the floor.

Razowsky also has some improvised shorts on his website. In one scene he uses his book prop in a very entertaining way:

I link to the correct time in the video here.

Razowsky's acting choices are made much more entertaining by addressing the context of the world he is in (he is reading a book). It allows you to see more specific thoughts in his head. "I am pissed and really into this book, and I want to keep my place in it before yelling at you."

Check out his site:

http://www.davidrazowsky.com/Site/Welcome.html

-Tom