CHARACTER ANALYSIS

An actor must fully understand his character before he/she performs, so you must analyse your character thoroughly. Analysing your character means you gather both simple and complex details about your character. This requires the actor to think very carefully about what the character actually says in the play, as well as the sub-plot (what goes through the character’s mind), how he/she feels and reacts to other characters and situations within the play. A good example of this is to gather details about your character from within the text. You can then use your imagination and life experiences to create a rounded character onstage. These are the aims and objectives of this task......

During these exercises and tasks, you will answer two of the requirements of this unit’s Grading Grid, namely..... PASSMERITDISTINCTION P2 Select and deploy some theatrical techniques and forms as part of the developmental process. M2 Select and deploy a range of theatrical techniques and forms with some originality as part of the developmental process. D2 Experiment creatively with theatrical techniques and forms as part of the developmental process. P3 Develop a role and make artistic decisions. M3 Develop a role and make sensible artistic decisions. D3 Develop a role which shows imagination and insight into your artistic decisions.

 CREATE AN EMPTY BODY PLAN OF YOUR CHARACTER  YOUR CHARCTER’S PROFILE  “THE MAGIC IF”  THE HOT SEAT  EMOTIONAL GRAPH

Creating an Empty Body is a great way of gathering information about your character. There are several ways of completing an Empty Body. One way is toincludedetails of the character inside the Empty Body, while presenting other facts about him/her outside the body.

Quite attractive – but doesn’t realise that she is 16 years old An only child quiet Low self esteem Enjoys school Parents separated 2 years ago Mari Williams Likes a boy from school - Josh Likes to keep fit Two best friends are Elen and Jade Scared she may fail her GCSE’s Josh thinks she’s a swot Father wants her too do well in her exams. Her Mother is worried that she’s working too hard A basic example of an Empty Body.

Researchyour character and gather information about him/her. Fill the body with details, descriptions and quotations from the text of the play to illustrate your character. Then, fill the exterior of the body with the thoughts of other characters within the play and their feelingsregarding your character.

Now that you have gathered information and details from the text regarding your character, the next phase is to use your imagination to bring that character to life. One example of this is to prepare a Character Profile. By creating a profile, you will need to use the details that you have gathered regarding the character. Also, use your imagination so that you may answer questions from the character’s point of view, given the facts supplied. e.g. as we know that Mari is a quiet, shy girl, we must suppose that she would be unlikely to go out every Saturday night.

Name : Age: Family members: Interests: Favourite thing: Least favourite thing: Favourite film: Ambition : Greatest fear: What makes you smile: Favourite memory: Least favourite memory: Phobia....

(Stanislavski System) This exercise will improve your understanding of your character. Your answers will enable you to think of your character’s movement, voice and thoughts. (It is important to explain your reasons as they note the characteristics of your character) e.g. If my character was a colour, I would be red, because I’m dangerous and treat people badly.

EXAMPLES OF “WHAT IF?” QUESTIONS If my character was a COLOUR, I would be _______ because If my character was an ANIMAL, I would be _______ because If my character was some kind of FOOD, I would be _______ because If my character was a NOISE, I would be _______ because If my character was a kind of MATERIAL, I would be _______ because If my character was a kind of AROMA, I would be _______ because......

An actor (in character) sits on a chair. The audience asks him/her questions that he/she must answer. You must remain in character and think quickly by using facts and your intelligence to answer these questions. This exercise will help you gain a greater understanding of your character.

Possible questions?? You may ask the character to answer any kind of questions – some general ones, and some regarding specific points arising out of the play. Here are a few examples..... How old are you? How do you feel about _____? Do you have family? Describe yourself to us What is your greatest fear?

Think of your character’s emotional journey throughout your play. Try to think of all the major eventsthat change and affect the emotions of your character. Prepare a graph line to illustrate these emotional changes.