Theater
hihihi
TheActor.pptxTHE ACTOR -a brief chat-
WHAT IS ACTING?
WHAT MAKES A GOOD ACTOR? WHAT TOOLS ARE USED?
A Few Schools of Thought…
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STANISLAVSKI
“the art of experiencing”
-taking on the life of another
STRASBERG
“The Method”
-psychological aspects
ADLER
-harnessing imagination/action
-thought ”The Method” was unsafe
MEISNER
-importance of impulse/instinct
-”truth above all”
CHEKHOV
-physical manifestation
-use body to show character’s inner life
PRACTICAL AESTHETICS
-what is the essential action?
-the actor’s primer
HAGEN
-applying own experiences to circumstances
-”realism above all”
SPOLIN
-for directors as well
-importance of play/improvisation
THE “DEFINITION” OF ACTING
“Acting is
living truthfully
under imaginary circumstances.”
-Meisner
What does the actor do?
Brings life and character to the text.
Attempts to create a full, truthful, three-dimensional character.
Attempts to understand the psychology of their character.
Why do I do what I do?
What do I want?
What is in my way?
What is at stake?
SIDEBAR:
WRITE DOWN YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE/TV SHOW/PLAY/MUSICAL
Who is your favorite actor/character in it?
Why?
Tell your pal next to you.
NO JUDGING. DON’T BE A JERK.
HOW DOES THE ACTOR DO IT? OBJECTIVE – TACTIC - OBSTACLE
1. Objective
What does the character want?
"I want to ______".
Super-objective: throughout show.
Objective: smaller goals throughout
Bigger objective = higher stakes
2. Obstacles
That which is in the way of getting what the character wants.
For example:
The other person’s feelings
Your own self esteem
Society
Money
The environment
A bear.
3. Tactics
HOW we go about getting what we want
By _______ing
Complimenting
Scolding
Seducing
Joking
Guilting
TACTICS & OBSTACLES EXAMPLE
Objectives and Tactics
A change in OBJECTIVE requires a change in TACTICS.
Variety, action and dynamism in TACTICS leads to more engaging performances.
These are present and visible in everyday life.
Example: Miranda Priestley, The Devil Wears Prada
Objective: To conquer the world of fashion publishing.
Tactic: To dismiss and belittle all rivals.
Obstacle: The incompetence and independence of her employees.
Objectives?
Tactics?
Obstacles?
“Harry wants to _______
By _________ing, but can’t
Because ___________.”
What is
Harry Potter’s
(and therefore
Daniel Radcliffe’s)
SUPER OBJECTIVE?
SIDEBAR 2:
Write down:
1 SUPEROBJECTIVE and 1 OBJECTIVE for your fave character
1 possible TACTIC that character attempts, and
2 OBSTACLES they may encounter.
Remember:
I want to OBJECTIVE by TACTICing, but I can’t because OBSTACLE .
Share with your pal, and possibly the class.
Acting Style: A Quick Comparison August Wilson’s Fences
James Earl Jones
https:// youtu.be /oVZr6uzvYtA
Denzel Washington
https:// youtu.be /UBTXS42dj40
*Content Warning: use of N-word
WHAT IS GOOD ACTING?
IN CONCLUSION:
-WHO KNOWS IF IT’S GOOD
-WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO IT
-THERE’S NO WAY TO MEASURE IT
-WHY AM I GETTING THIS DEGREE
YAY ACTING!
