No matter what your training, the basic approach to a character relies on these fundamental questions. For those of you who have been acting for awhile, this will simply provide a reminder for character analysis. For those who may be just starting out, these aren't meant to overwhelm you or to be a substitute for Instinct and Spontaneity. Rather they can help provide a foundation to allow you to be 'in the moment' and follow your instincts.
1. WHO? Who are you? (Adjectives) Who are you talking to? [Personalization]Who are you talking about? (if anyone)2. WHAT?What do you want? [Objective/Goal]What do you want overall? [Super Objective]What are the immediate obstacles/hurdles/challenges? [The Conflict]What are you feeling? [Emotional Condition]What is being (or has been) said about you? What happened right before this scene (or monologue or song) started? [Moment Before/Trigger]3. WHERE? Where are you? [Environment] *Where were you before the scene (or monologue or song) started? (* especially helpful for film)4. WHEN?When is this scene (or song) taking place? [Time of day, etc.]5. WHY? Why are you speaking (or singing)? [Motivation]What compels/impels you to talk/sing to this person? (or, to put it another way..)What would happen if you didn’t talk/sing to this person now? [Stakes]6. HOW? How do you get what you want? [Intention – Active Verbs]What are you physically doing to get what you want? [Action]How are you or the situation changed by the end of the piece (play, film, scene,or song)? [Arc]How (if at all) does this character, scene or song relate to your own life? [Substitution & Sense Memory]
MICHAEL LEEDS
Theatre/Film/Television
Director Writer Teacher
THE BASICS
WHO / WHAT / WHERE / WHEN / WHY / HOW
