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Acting 160
Basic Terms
44
Film, Theatre & Television
Undergraduate 1
12/06/2009

Additional Film, Theatre & Television Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
SETTING
Definition
time & place of play or scene
Term
FOURTH WALL
Definition
The invisible wall that separates the audience from the performer
Term
SUPER OBJECTIVE
Definition
over all objective for the play ( Through- line)
Term
IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE
Definition
what the character is trying to achieve within a scene or monologue (GOAL)
Term
DREAM ENDING
Definition
what a character hopes will happen in the best of all worlds and as a direct result of his actions ( directly tied to objective)
Term
OBSTACLE
Definition
what stands in the way of the objective (GOAL)
Term
TACTIC
Definition
what is done to get around or eliminate the obstacle in effort to achieve the objective
Term
BEAT
Definition
a small" bit" of a monologue or scene held together by relation of tactic, or specific issue
Term
BUILD
Definition
made up of several beats resulting in heightened emotion or tension
Term
CLIMAX
Definition
made up of several builds resulting in the highest point of emotion or tension
Term
CHANGE MOTION
Definition
when a discovery of some kind takes place with in a scene or monologue that drastically changes the direction of that scene or monologue
Term
SCORING A SCRIPT
Definition
Breaking a monologue or scene down into beats builds tactics etc. and recording it within the text to aid in performance
Term
BLOCKING
Definition
larger specific movements of actor to be made at specific times throughout a scene or monologue such as crossing from stage left to stage right & sitting . the 4 primary things that blocking helps to achieve other than visual interest/variety are 1) intention 2) relationship 3) characterization 4) focus
Term
STAGE BUSINESS
Definition
Smaller movements on stage such as knitting or pouring tea etc.
Term
OPERATIVE WORDS
Definition
the primary words used within a sentence to communicate intended information
Term
MONOLOGUE /DIALOGUE
Definition
unspoken dialogue that is added into a monologue by a performer that is a direct reflection of the unseen partner that the performer is supposed to be speaking to
Term
TELESCOPING
Definition
when a character reacts to a stimuli before it actually takes place
Term
PLAYING THE ENDING
Definition
when the performer is performing in relation to the ending of the scene or play instead of dealing with what is happening in the moment ( assume success )
Term
OPPOSITION
Definition
1) when a performer chooses to make performance choices that are opposite what might be expected. (opposition may also be in characterization or relationship) 2) when a performer may also choose to
play opposite tactics against one another to heighten a specific moment. i.e. to attack immediately following flattery etc.
Term
PRECEDING CIRCUMSTANCES
Definition
a reference to what has taken place in the world of the play immediately before the beginning of a scene or the entrance of a character, etc.
Term
GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES
Definition
include preceding circumstances along with setting, relationships, events and any other information that might have a direct bearing on any " Given" point within the play
Term
INSTIGATING ACTION
Definition
What specific thing has been said or done to cause you to respond at that very instant a monologue begins
Term
IMMEDIACY
Definition
the need to accomplish an objective within a short period of time.    Remember that there is a HUGE difference between a want and a need
Term
IMAGINATION
Definition
ability to picture or create from one's own experience
Term
FANTASY
Definition
ability to picture or create something without the benefit of previous experience
Term
SENSE MEMORY
Definition
ability to recreate a moment on stage with complete sensual life through the recollection of past experience ( connected to Magic If )
Term
EMOTIONAL RECALL
Definition
the ability to recreate a specific emotional state through recollection of a previous experience (connected to Magic If)
Term
MAGIC IF
Definition
the ability to honestly place oneself in the situation and circumstances of a character Through the use of Emotional recall, sense memory & imagination
Term
STAGE PRESENCE
Definition
strength of character and performance that draws the audience to a performer
Term
STATUS
Definition
a level of power given to a character through a myriad of circumstances Three tools to keep in mind in achieving status or strength are SIMPLICITY, FOCUS, &CONTROL
Term
POLAR ATTITUDES
Definition
the emotional or psychological distance that is made from the beginning of a piece to the end ( The growth or change that takes place)
Term
MAKING YOUR POINTS
Definition
specifically and clearly communicating your needs or argument
Term
PLAYING THE POSITIVE
Definition
using the most positive methods one can, under the given circumstances, to achieve one's goals. In the end, violence may become the only option left thus making it positive
Term
SIMPLIFY
Definition
to strip away extemporaneous movements both physically and psychologically in order get to the core of communication or action
Term
SELF INDULGENCE
Definition
the misguided belief that the purpose of a performance is a form of therapy for the benefit of the actor. It is not. It 's purpose is to communicate the author's ideas, story, etc. to the audience, and the actor is only one tool that is used with in a production.
Term
SHAPING/ORCHESTRATION
Definition
the use of beats , builds, climax , change- motion, resolution with in a piece that give the performance dynamics ( things that effect rhythm, intensity, & direction)
Term
DISCOVERY
Definition
a realization that takes place on stage due to Information that was not available before
Term
UNIVERSALITY
Definition
a concept, need or emotion that can be related to by living things world wide
Term
SUBTEXT
Definition
The character's inner dialogue or thought process at any given point ***not necessarily the same as what they might be saying or doing , ( what lies beneath the surface)
Term
MUGGING
Definition
heightening your choices in order to draw audience Attention to you as an actor at the expense of the play And of fellow actors
Term
VOCAL TECHNIQUES
Definition
3 techniques to get the most mileage out of dialogue (other than operative words) are Visualize, Physicalize, & Structural embellishment
Term
INDICATING
Definition
demonstration of an emotion or thought rather than living or experiencing that thought or emotion
Term
STAKES
Definition
what will be lost or gained by your success or failure to achieve a given goal or objective
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