movement observation

Griffith THEA 210

Movement Observation of Performance Worth 10%

Due November 22

Applying movement principles of Laban and/or Chekhov and drawing on language and insights

from Bain, students will practice the observation techniques developed throughout the semester

in a movement observation of a short performance.

To complete this assignment, you will need to draw on the material from the readings, lectures,

and movement classes. A shortened list of primary movement qualities we have worked with this

term are listed below, though you are not limited to using only them. You can draw on any of the

material from Module 3 that we have covered.

Observe individual actors and identify Laban Efforts, Chekhov Qualities and Sensations, and/or

Bain’s Trinity of Movement Elements that you can observe within the actor’s movement,

behavior, and/or delivery of lines.

Your assignment should be 3-4 pages long (750-1000 words) and must be written about one of

the performances listed.

Laban Efforts

• Punch: Heavy, Direct, Sudden (weight is heavy, the movement through space is direct, it happens suddenly in time)

• Push/Pull: Heavy, Direct, Sustained (change in time)

• Slash: Heavy, Indirect, Sudden (change in space and time)

• Wringing: Heavy, Indirect, Sustained

• Float: Light, Indirect, Sustained

• Flick/Flitting: Light, Indirect, Sudden

• Dab: Light, Direct, Sudden

• Glide: Light, Direct, Sustained

Michael Chekhov Qualities

• Staccato or legato

• Balance, Floating, Falling

Bain Trinity of Movement

• Space, time, energy/weight

• Space: direction, levels, range, position, angle and orientation to audience

• Time: timing, speed

• Energy: sustained and percussive, vibratory, suspension, swinging

Steps to completing this assignment

1. Remind yourself of the material from Module 3 (re-read your notes and journal entries).

2. Watch the video performance multiple times, taking notes as you go.

Griffith THEA 210

3. Think about how to structure your movement analysis (by character, or by moments in

the scene, or general observations about the movement as a whole and then narrowing in

on specific moments or characters).

4. Write, edit, revise.

5. Submit your assignment.