Categories:
Character AnalysisFor ages:
High SchoolDescription
Students 'stuck' with their character development in class? This activity takes them out of the box by putting them in the role of 'teacher' and by using the multi-media skills they love so much. Students end up with a much deeper level of craft work on their monologues or 2 person scenes.
Materials
Monologue or 2 person scene
Ability to film (either with a camera at home and uploaded to personal computer, or in a school media lab or just on their on computer software)
Fun but not necessary: LCD projector to put their work up on a screen big!
Full Lesson Plan
In acting class, after my students had found their monologue and/or scene, after they completed biographies, beats and objectives, ten questions and have their piece memorized, I have found they they often get 'stuck' with one delivery and/or have trouble taking deeper direction as they feel that the assessments they are receiving they are production.
Have students film themselves performing their monologue to their best ability (no stopping, full out). After words, as a homework assignment, have student create a one page self-assessment that notes the specific work they observed in their film. Give them your own guidelines for self assessment, based on what you've already done in class, such as 'did you see clear beats?' 'was the character spine/objective clear?' 'evaluate the basics such as projection, diction...' 'did the body language used convey the intended emotion as best as it could'?
Students them upload their film and project it on and LCD projector. They stand before the class, conducting a calm self analysis of their work and showing us on the film exactly what they are talking about. After they present their work, they turn the lights up, take a moment and then show us their NEW version of the monologue that they worked on at home after their self analysis.
Students grow by leaps and bounds with the project and love the film aspect - be careful that the do not 'act for the camera' rather do a full theatrical performance even though they are on camera.
Enjoy!