Synopses & Reviews
To portray a character, the actor needs craft; to fully express him or herself in the character, the actor needs talent. Combining the two is what makes a great actor, and here, Christopher Vened guides the actor, step by step, in how to explore and develop the character in all its aspects.
In this concise manual, Vened describes the necessary methods, principles, directions, exercises, and examples needed for the mastery of the actor's craft and art of portraying character, and offers guidance on such topics as conflict, internal and external circumstances of a character, thought patterns, and character traits in the body. This book is a major exploration of a major part of the actor's job.
Synopsis
In this concise manual, Vened describes the necessary methods, principles
Synopsis
To portray a character, the actor needs craft; to fully express him or herself in the character, the actor needs talent. Combining the two is what makes a great actor, and here, Christopher Vened guides the actor, step by step, in how to explore and develop the character in all its aspects.
In this concise manual, Vened describes the necessary methods, principles, directions, exercises, and examples needed for the mastery of the actor's craft and art of portraying character, and offers guidance on such topics as conflict, internal and external circumstances of a character, thought patterns, and character traits in the body. This book is a major exploration of a major part of the actor's job.
Synopsis
In Character guides the actor through the exploration and development of all aspects of a character, enabling the actor to portray the character inside and out and to express himself at the same time.
About the Author
Christopher Vened was, for eight years, a star of Henryk Tomaszewski's world-famous Wroclaw Mime Theatre. In 1981, while on tour in Western Europe, Vened defected from communist Poland and rebuilt his career in the West. He now lives in Santa Monica, California, where he teaches acting at UCLA.
Table of Contents
Part I Identity
I Am Not a Guinea Pig * Identity * Chameleon and Exhibitionist * Exactness and Spontaneity * Character and Incongruity
Part II Conflict
The Character's Conflict * Protagonist/Antagonist * The Four Climaxes * Situation and Predicament * Action
Part III Character Traits
THE CHARACTER TRAITS IN THE BODY
Appearance * The Center * Movement
EMOTIONS
Temperament * Will * Desire * Volitional Gesture * Feelings
THOUGHT PATTERN
Thought Pattern * Point of View * Attitude * Kinds of Thought Patterns
EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Space * Object * Relationship
INTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Inner Image * Inner Voice * Inner Motive
CHARACTER CHOICE
Character Choice * Conditioning