Class Exercise #4: Physical Obstacle

performed on Thursday, January 26, 2012

#4. Objective, Tactics, Room Conflict, Physical Obstacle -- add physical obstacle; something that affects behavior having to do with the actor's body (needs to pee, broken arm, etc.

Scene -- I'm in a rush for an interview. I enter scarfing down my breakfast sandwich. I get onto the elevator, see Ashley approaching, and try to close the door but fail. She is chewing a big stick of gum, and my breath smells really bad. I ask for a piece. We recognize each other from class, and she needs my notes but i have no time. The elevator breaks down. She panics (claustrophobia). When the doors open, she scrambles out and i take a piece of gum from her bag and exit.

OBJECTIVES

Karyn - wants Ashley to give her a piece of gum

• Physical Object: breath smells
• TACTICS:
• To ask
• To guilt
• To make Ashley feel irrational
• To take

Ashley - wants Karyn to give her the notes from class 

• Physical Object: claustrophobia
• TACTICS:
• To ask
• To annoy
• Plead
• To make Karyn feel sorry for her

WORKING WITH ASHLEY:

I really wanted to work with Ashley. in her previous skits, i thought she had real presence and character, which she so does. although she may have lacked that honest vulnerability. but i was impressed by her.

when we rehearsed, she was a lil' distracted with a real "performing" instead of "truth" demeanor. she encouraged me to be more elaborate and dramatic, but i tried sticking more low-key. though i didn't direct her otherwise because we were a bit rushed, so i stayed mellow with nothing to prove. She'd find out from a real authority (our teacher) what to do. I could have mentioned somethin tho because...

our skit was very dramatic. it was fun tho, comedic. and the TA had us reenact it -- to be more honest. Best thing! ACTUAL COACHING! and Ashley was amazing. she felt vulnerable and uneasy, but it was true emotion! way better work to work off of because of the honesty is brings!

afterward she seemed boggled or sad. after asking her what was wrong, she said "it's just a lot to take in." she had to change her whole idea of what acting was. i think the balance of extroverted personalities became balanced. we had gained a respect for one another. i freakin love that girl now, and i look forward to working with her again. yayyy.