Still grabbing moments to read this book, in between the madness!

I thinks it’s very instructive as well as interesting.
Today I read about Dee Cannon’s ideas behind researching your character, and her list of 10 Questions. (It is suggested that depending on time, you might not be able to do all 10.. just be sensible…)

Here are Cannon’s 10 Questions to finding/researching/connecting with  your character.

Essentially these questions are there to lead you to understand the situational, emotional and psychological elements of the role you are going to play… nifty!

For example;
No. 9 – HOW will I get what I want? (Choices) – Explore the psychological effect you want to have on the other actor(s) in order to get what you want. To beg. To entice. To charm. NOT focussing on how you say the line but how you action it. “actioning your text“(P52)

“This technique allows the actor to be free and truthful without playing external emotions. It’s really about what you don’t say ad trusting that actions speak louder than words.” (P53)

When I am playing a role, even in rehearsal, I automatically refer to my character  as myself, or myself as the character – either way, it’s in the first person. I’ve not really thought about it, but Cannon digs into it a little in this chapter. She suggests that if we are discussing (and I suppose even when thinking as/about) our character, referring to them in the third person immediately creates a psychological gulf between you and them… baring in mind you have spent your time identifying with them, or “bringing the character closer to you“(P62), if you speak of your character in third person – in an instant you can undo all your hard work, or at the very least send yourself 3 (or 4) steps back. Makes sense.

I’m sure there will be more from this one!