Subject Outline


what is the story? story scene plot key act I, II, III beginning, middle, end story telling art of compression purpose of scene meaning prize fight conflict contest plan the scene choices character three basic questions who am I? what do I feel? what do I want? protagonist antagonist aggressor who is the aggressor? who is doing what to whom? animal characterizations attitudes center of character ideal image mask secret self how to find a scene? scripts study a script people of different periods time period floor plan playing area furniture material balance of scene center of the focus content of scene dialogue elements in the scene time urgency focus of scene love scene must scene will he or won't he scene main thrust of material opposites point made in scene point of view progression resolution revelation rhythm shape of scene statement of scene structure traps rehearsal work in progress staging Shakespeare verse iambic pentameter cadence plays of language classic plays costume plays order of importance author authors writers red flags from author intention of authors audience control an audience frighten an audience identification of audience be moved to tears be tickled to laughter actor acted as a child actors aptitude auditions cold readings monologue be delighted beginners buzz in actor clock in head concentration condition reflex controlled obsession discipline exercise emanate emotional state peak of exercise motor adrenalin heart beat state of heavy breathing fill the space humanity impulses insecurity of actor crutch inventive juggle three things feel: emotion think: objective wire: brain to brain lines memorize rot mark to hit master yourself miscast moments performance performer oblivious of everything persona presence essence quality you have ragged edge relax stay loose rube your nose in it rules of opposites self-hypnotism self-reliant showmanship state of mischief state of obsession study habits talent technique tool kit tools tricks turn on your lights awareness voice vocal instrument articulate elocution emote enunciation resonance projection wire thought is an electrical force electrodes electrical impulse director directors red light, green light leave no foot prints pictures have meaning third eye drama move the audience must not look like acting acting approach acting brain to brain acting crying choreograph falls and stunts slap under the ear disabilities aging blindness crippled deafness drunk dying insanity neurotic dream illusion foreplay instant action laughing phone conversation pattern of behavior behavior body language physical behavior pose posing real feel, think, do find the words relationship scary secrets in acting specific things spontaneous stand still stimulus subliminal tension vanity four pillars of acting styles Drama Comedy Mystery Classic Tragedy Modern Tragedy Fantasy Science Fiction Farce Black Comedy Comedy of Manners Theater of the Absurd emotion new information new event body feelings emotions list imagination color mixed emotions sustaining an emotion objective new information new event mind thoughts condition reflex selfish motive sense memory five senses hear sight smell taste touch Comedy amuse the audience humor laughs where the pie lands counter point basic joke basic joke list joke marriage joke running joke shtick gags rule of three third variation funny human funny off the wall gold mines comedians straight man suffer funny man, clown foil Laurel and Hardy actor funny comedy is an exact science, you must learn the science. pace precision timing working clean comedy clock business clarity frame the joke train of thought continuous track comedy beat derailment ride a laugh sitcoms how to get on a sitcom? wrong why scene didn't work? problem of scene bad acting caricature conversation intellectually loud and soft acting pretty pictures yelling don'ts of drama don'ts of comedy methody "In the end, it can't look like acting."