Question 1: Identify a character from your current or previous performance who demonstrates clear motivation. Describe what drives their actions and decisions within the scene.

Answer: A character with clear motivation is driven by a specific goal or need, such as seeking justice or wanting acceptance. For example, if the character is seeking revenge, their actions are motivated by a desire for retribution, which influences their behavior and dialogue. Understanding this motivation helps actors portray authentic emotions and intentions.

Question 2: Describe how a character’s relationship with another character influences their behavior in a scene. Provide specific examples from a script you are familiar with.

Answer: A character’s relationship can significantly shape their actions and tone. For example, if two characters have a loving relationship, their interactions may be tender or supportive, whereas a conflict-driven relationship may result in hostile or defensive behavior. Specific examples include a scene where a character confides in their friend, showing trust, or argues with an antagonist, demonstrating tension.

Question 3: Choose a character from a script and analyze how their motivation affects their interactions with other characters during a pivotal scene.

Answer: The character’s motivation, such as desire for freedom, influences how they interact—perhaps they act bravely or desperately. In a pivotal scene, this motivation might lead them to take risks or show increased emotional vulnerability, affecting their tone, body language, and dialogue delivery to convey urgency or resolve.

Question 4: Perform a short improvisation where you embody a character’s motivation. Describe the character’s goal and how you would physically and verbally express it.

Answer: The goal of the character is to convince someone of their innocence. Physically, I might use open gestures and maintain eye contact to appear honest and confident. Verbally, I would use a steady tone, clear articulation, and persuasive language to express conviction and sincerity.

Question 5: Draw a comic strip or series of panels illustrating a character’s relationship dynamics in a key scene. Label each panel with the character’s emotions and intentions.

Answer: Students should depict interactions showing emotions like anger, affection, or suspicion. Labels might include 'confused,' 'determined,' or 'hopeful.' The drawings should reflect facial expressions, gestures, and proximity to other characters, illustrating how relationships influence their behavior.

Question 6: Identify a line of dialogue from a script that reveals a character’s motivation. Explain how the delivery of this line can convey their underlying intentions.

Answer: For example, a line like 'I have nothing to lose' reveals desperation or resolve. Delivery should be firm, with controlled breath and direct eye contact to emphasize seriousness. Emphasizing key words can highlight the character’s emotional drive.

Question 7: How can understanding a character’s relationships enhance your performance in a scene? Provide two specific ways.

Answer: Firstly, knowing relationships helps inform your emotional responses, making interactions more authentic. Secondly, it guides your physical cues, such as proximity or gestures, to reflect the dynamics, whether they are supportive, confrontational, or conflicted.

Question 8: Describe a practical activity you could do to explore a character’s motivation through physical movement. What would you aim to discover?

Answer: A useful activity is ‘character walking,’ where students walk as their character, embodying their motivation through posture and gait. The aim is to discover how motivation influences body language, such as confidence, nervousness, or aggression, and to incorporate these traits into performance.

Question 9: Reflect on how understanding a character’s motivation and relationships can help you interpret their dialogue during a performance.

Answer: Understanding motivation and relationships allows you to choose appropriate tone, pitch, and pace for delivery, making dialogue more believable. It also helps you interpret subtext, so your performance conveys underlying emotions and intentions, creating a more compelling portrayal.

Question 10: Choose a character and write a brief monologue expressing their internal conflict related to their motivation and relationships. How would you perform this to engage the audience?

Answer: The monologue might reveal the character’s struggle with loyalty versus self-interest. To perform it effectively, I would use varied vocal dynamics, facial expressions, and gestures to show emotional complexity. Engaging the audience involves making eye contact, using pauses for emphasis, and authentic physicality to reflect internal tension.