Acting Without the Drama

Quick tips for Podcast #2: Communication—Conflict and Objectives

I.                 Today’s podcast will focus on communication.

a.      Communication is the practical part of the practical magic.

b.     The communication section is involved enough that it will stretch over two podcasts.

c.      Today’s podcast will deal with conflict and objectives.

II.               Conflict is the hook that draws us in as an audience.

a.      When the conflict isn’t focused, the audience’s attention will wane.

b.     Some of the best writers aren’t always direct about stating what the conflict actually is.

c.      We as actors need to become detectives.

                                                    i.     We uncover hidden conflict, called “subtext” within each scene.

                                                  ii.     We do this by finding the clues given within the script.

1.     What do the characters say about themselves?

2.     What do other characters say about them?

3.     How do they respond to the situations they are in?

III.             The objective arises out of the conflict.

a.      The objective is what the character wants.

b.     The objectives of each character always center around the conflict.

c.      We can use an example of a couple where the conflict is whether or not they should be together.

                                                    i.     One of the objectives would have to be something like “I want to convince her we should be together.

                                                  ii.     The other would be “I want to convince him that we should NOT be together.

IV.            The objective statement should always include “to convince.”

a.      Every time we communicate, we are always trying to convince someone of something.

b.     “I want her to love me” is not as clear as “I want to convince her to love me.”

                                                    i.     The first statement is hard to get behind and push.

                                                   ii.     The second statement crystallizes our intention and give us a direction to go in.

V.              Finding and heightening the conflict and playing a strong objective will help us to give exciting, vibrant performances.

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