Bits Quote by Brent Spiner
![“Harry [ Hannigan] and Chris [Ellis] are sitting there while we're doing [ Fresh Hell], and Chris is directing, obviously, but if we start fooling around a little bit, Harry comes in, and he's got some addition that makes it even funnier. But we start with a complete script.” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7cf/brent-spiner-2999_bits_harry-hannigan-and-chris-ellis-are-sitti_2300420.jpg)
“Harry [ Hannigan] and Chris [Ellis] are sitting there while we're doing [ Fresh Hell], and Chris is directing, obviously, but if we start fooling around a little bit, Harry comes in, and he's got some addition that makes it even funnier. But we start with a complete script.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Star Trek: The Next Generation (episode “The Offspring”), 1990
Improvisation adds humor and depth to scripted scenes, making performances more dynamic and engaging.
In simple terms: Improvisation makes scripted scenes funnier.
Key Takeaway
Allow actors to improvise for richer moments.
Themes
creativity
collaboration
humor
Mood
playful
energetic
Type
performance
creative
When to use this quote
- live theater
- TV sitcoms
- film rehearsals
- improv workshops
Key Concepts
improvisation
performance dynamics
comedic timing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can improvisation be balanced with script integrity?
- When does spontaneity enhance a scene?
A Different Perspective
Improvisation can disrupt narrative flow if not managed.
![“So we [with Chris Ellis] did [Fresh Hell], and we did the first five episodes as a lark, just to see if anybody would respond or be interested, and we got enough feedback that was positive that we thought, "Let's keep going with this and see if we can flesh it out a bit this season." We've had 10…” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0e1/brent-spiner-2999_bits_so-we-with-chris-ellis-did-fresh-hell-an_2979334.jpg)
![“I've toyed with this idea [of Fresh Hell] for a long time. I actually wrote a feature years ago with this sort of concept in mind, and it's gone through several incarnations, and... It wasn't 'til I met Chris Ellis, who directed me in a little thing that was actually for a ride in Universal…” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3f8/brent-spiner-2999_concepts_i-ve-toyed-with-this-idea-of-fresh-hell_2727796.jpg)
![“Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre, the guys who run that show [Big Bang Theory], are really funny and really smart, and the cast is fantastic to work with.” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b53/brent-spiner-2999_bangs_bill-prady-and-chuck-lorre-the-guys-who_64317.jpg)
![“That was a really interesting series [Threshold ] that I think would've been really great had it continued. I know Brannon Braga, who was running the show at the time, had a lot of really interesting ideas for what was going to happen the second, third, fourth, and fifth seasons, and they had it…” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a1/brent-spiner-2999_decided_that-was-a-really-interesting-series-thr_128843.jpg)
![“I have to say, though, that somebody pointed out to me on YouTube that Conan O'Brien was being interviewed, and he was talking about how, oddly enough, he went to see that movie [South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut ] in Hawaii with his girlfriend or wife or whoever, and he didn't even realize his…” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/572/brent-spiner-2999_bigger_i-have-to-say-though-that-somebody-point_155258.jpg)
![“I always refer to [Stardust Memories] as Sharon Stone's and my first film.” quote by Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85f/brent-spiner-2999_film_i-always-refer-to-stardust-memories-as-s_233627.jpg)
![“Brad [Dourif] would tell himself that he was not intentionally trying to mimic Jack Nicholson in any way. I think that actually bothers him a little bit. I just think maybe they have similar voices.” quote by David Kirschner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfe/david-kirschner-22403_bits_brad-dourif-would-tell-himself-that-he-w_478.jpg)
