Boleslavsky Chapter 4 CHARACTERIZATION Essential Questions Why is

Boleslavsky Chapter 4 CHARACTERIZATION

Essential Questions • Why is characterization essential? • How do you “build a role” ? • What is character?

• • Without characterization acting is not controlled. No one will believe it. Nothing is left for the audience to imagine • • Catharsis brings EMPATHY • • Empathy is when you feel the emotions someone else is feeling.

• • THE AUDIENCE IS ENTITLED TO A FINISHED PRODUCT

You build a role • • EMOTIONALLY – Physical control – Concentration – Choice and outline of emotions – Projection of emotions and character action – Characterization

• • As far back as 1700 characterization was essential! • • “That peculiar form under which it would appear when such a person he is giving us a portrait of”

• Character is individual! • The human soul must be visible in all its aspects: physical, mental and emotional • The character on stage who owns this soul is unique and different from all the rest • When one creates a soul on stage he must make it individual.

• MAKE THE CHARACTER SPECIFIC! • • Use your own knowledge Analyze in detail Use given circumstances Use the author – DO NOT think like the character, just grasp the character in the author’s mind. The outward quality must be the author’s intent.

• NO BASTARDIZATION OF THE LITERATURE • Use the rhythm and energy of the delivery of the author’s words. •

• When you master human emotions, you will know when emotions come. Use freedom in expressing emotions. • • Look for reasons • Use dramatic action! • • Find the WHY in the WHO

WAYS TO MAKE A CHARACTER • Physical – Body/appearance – Portrayal—presentation – Gesture—master gesture – Posture—leading movement and why – Vocal—accent/dialect—rhythm/lilt

• Emotional –Dramatic action –Relationships

• Intellectual –Spiritual –History –Context