AGc++Odyssey+Characterisation

=

Expressive Skills used by actors and how to describe them:

 **__ EXPRESSIVE SKILLS __**   ** Expressive skills are the physical skills used by an actor in voice, movement and gesture to convey an idea or human quality in characterisation. **  ** The following are terms used to create and discuss an actor’s characterisation. Following this are some examples of descriptive words that can be used. **   **__ VOCAL TERMINOLOGY __** 


 * ** USE OF: ** ||  ||
 *  ** Vocal Modulation ** || Voice variations that can be artistically managed to produce appropriate voice ||
 *  ** Vocal variety ** || How well the actor varies the use of voice ||
 *  ** Vocal qualities ** || The overall vocal character that an actor brings to a characterisation ||
 *  ** Projection ** || Vocal carrying power ||
 *  ** Pitch ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Vocal note on which an actor speak ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Emphasis ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The emphasis an actor place on certain words for heightened dramatic effect ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Pace / Timing ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The rate at which an actor speaks ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Diction / Articulation ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">how well the actor pronounces words ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Inflection ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Gliding or bending the voice ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Vocal gesture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Scream, sigh grunt, whistles, clears throat etc,. ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Use of breath ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">In phrasing or as vocal gesture ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Phrasing & pausing ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The way sentences & words are delivered in units ||

<span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"> **__ MOVEMENT TERMINOLOGY __** <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">


 * ** USE OF: ** ||  ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Gait ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The way an actor moves as a character ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Rhythm ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The pace at which an actor uses the body. Can be irregular ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Direct / indirect ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Laban effort qualities in use of space (eg punch, flick) ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Heavy / fine touch ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Laban effort qualities in use of weight (eg float, wring) ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Sudden / sustained ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Laban effort qualities in use of time (eg slash, press) ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Movement variety ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Use of different movement types ( bending, stretching, ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Tempo variety ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The way an actor uses different speeds of movement ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Physical levels ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"> Use of high, medium & low areas ||

<span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"> **__ GESTURE TERMINOLOGY __** <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">


 * ** USE OF: ** ||  ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Facial gesture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Eyebrow raise, smirks, grimaces etc. ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Full body gesture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Leaning, swaying movement characteristics. ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Part body gesture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Hands, arms, legs, position of head ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Posture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The way the body is habitually held. ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Tableau ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Positioning the body to convey an idea. ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Spatial gesture ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">The way in a character responds in space to others ||
 * <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: right;"> ** Gestural variety ** || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"> Using different gestures for different situations. ||

<span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">** __ EXAMPLES OF DESCRIPTIVE WORDS __ ** <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** VOICE: ** loud, soft, high, low, whisper, silence, pace, mouthing, accent, stutter, calm, variation in pitch, tone, attitude, emotion, inflection, statement, narration, nasal, pompous, etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** LEVELS AND SPACE: ** still, confined space, use of objects to create height, floor pattern, space to define particular characters or places, tableau positions, relationship to audience <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** BODY: ** state of tension, leading centre <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> head – straight, inclined, tilted, etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> Eyes – focused, looking straight ahead, looking directly at audience, at other implied characters, at props, closed etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> Shoulders – straight, broad, drooped etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> Arms – folded, stretched, limp, salute, using props, to change characters, still, style of movement, state of tension, symbolic gesture <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** POSTURE: ** erect, hunched, hands on hips, leaning, use of props, dancing, style of moving, use of levels etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** WALK/GAIT: ** fast, short steps, large strides, tiptoe, march, slow and unsteady, limping, dragging, robotic/.mechanical, link to sound/music etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** FACIAL: ** mouth gaping, stretched face, tight lips, vacant eyed stare, neck muscles, eyebrows raised, frown etc <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> ** LANGUAGE: ** reflects set time/period, change of language to suit character/s, decision not to use any language, repetition <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> <span style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">