Much of acting is understanding your character. Any aspect of the character can affect your interpretation of their personality, which in extension affects your personification of the character. Knowing their habits and hobbies, knowing their talents and skills, knowing their occupation and professions... Knowing and understanding your character can exponentially improve your portrayal of them beyond mindlessly memorizing their lines and quickly cutting out their costumes.
So as a fun exercise of sorts, try to give your character a story. Read through the script and try to find all the clues scattered around about your character. If you can't find anything about your character, fill the void and imagine up something that may befit them. Don't be afraid to make up your character as you begin understanding them better. Try to apply them to your character. As you memorize your lines, try to add facial expression and body gestures that work with your understanding.
Why does Theseus think that "Demetrius is a worthy gentleman?" Is there a story behind all that? Just what does Snug do as a "joiner," or Snout as a "tinker?" Why is Puck called "Robin Goodfellow?" Why is Helena so enamored of Demetrius? How does Oberon make himself invisible? There are so many questions that can be answered with just a bit of understanding.
In addition to that, think about your purpose and not just your actions. For example, if I asked Demetrius what his purpose was, he might say, "To marry Hermia and kill Lysander." That's actually not your purpose. That's your action. Your purpose is why you want to marry Hermia and kill Lysander. Do you really love Hermia? Is she just really rich? Do you only want her because you haven't gotten her yet? Is Lysander a long-standing enemy or just an obstacle? Or do you just consider him less worthy than yourself? Or is he not right for her?
ReplyDeleteSo people, what is your purpose?
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ReplyDeleteHere is Haley's post:
ReplyDeleteWell since it is the morning cast's homwork to provide a bio for our charater, I figure there's no better place then here to put it. (also I really have no idea how to blog things...so this is the best you're going to get) Here we go! (The views expressed in this post are those of the character Helena, and do not necessarily reflect those of it's author.) Okay so we'll start at the very beginning: I was born. Fast foward a few years into highschool, and you'll see what made me into the forlorn person I am today. Dad said I was a little boy crazy (I wonder how he got that idea) So he sent me to an all girls private school where I met my best friend Hermia. No one else really liked her because all the boys wanted to spend time with her annual co-ed dances. (she could beat all the girls up though so that was all right) I didn't mind the guys though because I had a secret boyfriend...Demetrius. he's only the nicest best looking guy this side of Rome! Well anyways I love him like so much, and we were like super close. And he told me he loved me. But our blissful hapiness all changed one horrible day when he told me that he didn't like me anymore, and that he...he...HE SAID HE WAS IN LOVE WITH HERMIA! I cried for like weeks, until I decided that I wasn't going to take that lying down. So now it's my life long mission to get him back. I just know he still loves me, he just got a little distracted. Well that's my life up to this point. If you want to know a little bit about me here's some information: I like to take long walks through the woods chasing Demetrius. Favorite song: "To make you feel my love" Favorite book: "Pride and Prejudice" Favorite food: Anything, as long as I can share it with Demetrius. Hobby: Stalking Demetrius. So yeah, that's about it. Hope you enjoyed. Oh and if you happen to know where Demetrius is please tell him that I'm looking for him, thanks! -the end
Puck's favorite color is forest-green.
ReplyDelete-Matthew