ACTING

"He said artists use lies to tell the truth while politicians use lies to cover them up."

characterization must be believable, motivated by script, understood by actor, create a mood, be maintained & distinct; A COMPLETE ILLUSION!

BASIC ACTING CONCEPTS:

• communication
• being vs. doing
• acting techniques
• reaction
• character development

COMMUNICATION
all interior thoughts, feelings & reactions must be made exterior for audience

COMMUNICATION

• PHYSICALITY
• VOICE
• TIMING
• MOVEMENT & BLOCKING

PHYSICALITY

• embody character - telegraph whole character by stance
• gestures, facial expressions, posture
• MAINTAIN

VOICE

• purposeful timbre
• vary pitch, rate, volume & quality
• project & enunciate
• vary intensity & flexibilty

TIMING

• deliver lines & blocking with polished pace & rhythm
• vary rate, pace & tempo to build climaxes (roller coaster)
• utilize beats (changes in emotions)
• utilize pauses

MOVEMENT & BLOCKING

• creates pictures & interest
• must be motivated by script
• interpretation must have meaning & make sense

BEING v. DOING:

*don't pretend, DO
*don't play an emotion, play an ACTION

TECHNIQUES

MEISNER

• living truthfully under imaginary circumstances
• utilizes LISTENING & SPONTANEOUS REACTIONS

STANISLAVSKI

• utilize emotional memory - recall past emotions to employ onstage
• entrance = continuation of character, not a beginning
• "What would I do if...."

goal
obstacle
tactic
expectation

GOAL:
what my character wants or needs...

OBSTACLE:

that which prevents character from obtaining goal

TACTIC:
method to overcome obstacle

EXPECTATION
"do I expect this to work?"

REACTION

REACTION

• remain fully present
• observe partner, actions
• actively LISTEN
• honestly respond in character
• build & fall

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

BACKSTORY

• unpublished character history
• blending factual history + fictional history
• clarifies motivation & reaction

BACKSTORY:

• time period
• location
• personal life

TIME PERIOD

• cultural norms & attitudes of time period
• character's lived experiences

LOCATION

• cultural norms & attitudes of area
• events
• climate
• population

PERSONAL LIFE

• character's social, economic standing
• family, friend situation
• likes, dislikes & attitudes