Characterisation Techniques
Mantle of the expert
Giving witness
Speaking through the image
Role on the wall
Character Cards
Use of prop
Role Play
Improvisation
Voices in the head
Writing in role
Hot seating
Thought tunnel
Thought Tracking
A profile which charts the attitudes, background and beliefs of a character
Drama devised without script
A means of exploring attitudes or beliefs
Questioning a character in role
Recall of words said by others about a character or situation
writing from the point of view of your character
An aid to characterisation: the character speaks their thoughts out loud
Character(s) walk past other actors who comment on their situation
Character is interviewed about events they saw/experienced
Actor in role as an expert on a topic imparts fats/information about that topic
Outline of a body is filled in with the internal and external influences on a role/character
Visualisation exercise
Role-reverse
Actors adopt opposite attitudes and beliefs to that of their character in improv
Usually guided by director/teacher as a form of meditation, actor consider their characters circumstances to allow them to visualise that character's situation
Actors use props to build their belief in their role
Character step out of a still image to their thought aloud