Objectives: to explore the different character types created from script to understand the acting skills required to create different character types effectively Year 8 Unit 2 Lesson 2
2 Minute Talk Recap, in pairs Can you name the main characters in? What is the name of this character? Where did stay when his mother died? What was it like? What period is set in? What techniques did we use last week to help us to create effective characters?
Paired Activity Improvisation task. In pairs, create a modern scene in which a street-wise London teenager talks to a naïve looking runaway at a railway station. Think about how to get some movement into the scene. And try to include appropriate modern slang in your dialogue.
Evaluation Which groups were most realistic and why? Think about the groups that have been identified. What drama skills did they use most effectively? How did they make their drama realistic? What did they do that other groups didn t?
The Artful Watch the clip of and meeting for the first time. and Clip How is this scene similar and different to the modern day version that we ve just been working on?
Paired Work In the same pairs, work on developing your own version of this section of script. You need to show a clear contrast between the two characters. Consider the staging of the piece how can you make sure that it isn t boring to watch? Remember to try to change your voice somehow to convey the background and personality of your character.
The sun is rising and enters the stage looking tired and weak. He sinks down to the floor when the Artful passes him carelessly and then returns and stares at him. Oi! You! What you up to? ( looks at him.) Oi! You! What you up to? I m very hungry and tired. I ve walked a long way, I haven t stopped for 7 days. Walkin for seven days! Yes You running away from something ( looks away) In trouble?... With the workhouse? The law? You re not running from the beak are you? but I ll fork out if you re skint. Stay here. tries to rise to his feet but he is very weak, before long the Artful returns with food. He gives this to then goes to fetch a pint of beer. Thankyou (He eats it very quickly) You re alright lad, I ve got your back. Going to London? Yes Got any lodgings? No Money? The beak? No do you live in London? Heavens! Don t you know what a beak is? My eyes, how green can a man be? A beak is a magistrate. I does when I m at home. I suppose you want some place to sleep tonight, don t ya? I m not in trouble in that way Don t you worry me lad, I m, the Artful. You want grub? Yes please Right, you shall have it. I m pretty starvin myself. I haven t got much money myself, you I do indeed I have not slept under a roof since I left the country. Then don t you worry your head. I have to be in London myself by the evening, come with me lad, and I know a respectable old gentleman that lives there. He will give you lodgings for nothing and never asks for change!
Plenery Which groups created the most effective drama and why? How was atmosphere created? Who s acting was the most successful? What made it successful? Who had the best staging? What could we do to improve our characters and situations? Can you predict who this character might be?