Unit
One - Introduction to Drama
Module 2: Actor's Tools
Lesson 2 - Obstacles
Introduction:
By the time the lesson in complete, the relationship between
objectives and obstacles will be clear. Scenes will be more interesting
because the conflict is heightened.
Resources:
PDF "Actable Verb List"
Activities:
Activity
1 - Warm Up "Don't Slap my Hands"
This
warm up is also about getting what you want. Focus on the
objective:
-
in
partners stand facing one another, about half a metre apart.
-
each
holds their hands out, palms down to the floor
-
"A"
has hands in the top position a few centimeters above "B".
-
without
warning, "B" is to try to slap the tops of "A's"
hands before "A" can move out of the way.
-
take
turns in the top position.
Activity
2- Warm Up "Come to my Party"
You
can't always get what you want - what is the result?
- in
partners again - "A" is having a party and "B"
will not agree to come to the party
- the
discussion is limited to "please come to my party"
and "no, sorry".
- "A"
should try pleading, begging, threatening, bribing, crying,
flirting, intimidating, etc.
- "B"
needs to show why the refusal is being given - scared, broken
leg, headache, grounded, another commitment, hate them, don't
understand English, etc.
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Talking
Circle:
How
did it feel to do the warm ups? How do the games help describe
"objective and obstacle"? How might you apply
this to a scene? |
One
of the best ways to express an
objective is a want stated as a verb (explained further
in Unit 3) and an obstacle is the problem which prevents the
character from achieving the objective. The obstacle is what
creates the conflict for the character. The obstacle
may be physical, emotional, intellectual or psychological. Let's
look at some examples:
Objective
- I want to get a job.
Possible
Obstacles - no transportation; or afraid; or physical handicap;
or not schooled enough; or too young/old/wrong race/wrong gender;
or wife/husband objects to working outside of home.
Activity
3 - Create a Scene
In partners,
look at the "Actable Verb" list below and discuss
any words needed to clarify meaning. Without telling the partner,
each are to select four verbs they will use as objectives in
a scene. The objective can change at any time, in relation to
events as they unfold. Try a couple improvisation scenes using
the objectives.
Most
Common Actable Verbs:
| convince |
help |
mock |
| encourage |
seduce |
crush |
| prepare |
build |
inspire |
| reassure |
hurt |
destroy |
| suppress |
awaken |
incite |
| belittle |
mock |
tease |
Once you are comfortable with the verb list , try harder
scenes with both objectives and obstacles. As a group, come
up with as many possible obstacles and write them on slips
of paper to be placed in a can. As the scenes are played,
students are to select new obstacles (from the can) to add
into the scene. They have to also play the objective - tricky!
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Journal:
How
did it feel to do the exercise? Do you see how you might
apply it to a scene? Provide an example - write out a
short scene and describe the objective(s) and obstacle(s).
How is conflict enhanced in this way?
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Evaluation:
Your participation in the class may be evaluated.
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