Character Exercises: The Spider Men

 

 

Walking home in Character:

 

 

The exercise that we did to prepare for our 2nd Modern was walking home in our character, this exercise was a real struggle for me because I find it hard to stay in character and always find myself doing little things that break out of character. Our aim wasn't to break character until we reached our front doors but that is easier said then done. I found it difficult because as I was waiting at the bus stop someone asked me the time and I totally forgot to answer in character and it just broke my concentration, there was other incidents that made me just return to myself again, I managed to make it through college and on the way to the bus stop but, there was so many people trying to talk to me it really ruined my mood but I knew that I couldn't rise above it even though I knew I had to.

 

 

Observing people in Selbourne Walk:

 

 

Another exercise that we had to take part in was going to a public place to observe individuals and how they would walk and talk, perform little gestures while engaging in something normal. Our group decided to go to Asda in Selbourne walk because that's where most people perform little things and walk differently down each isles.

 

Notes:

 

Slow shuffle, dragging feet across floor. Leading by their feet, not really bothered. Very little gestures, only small hand movements to people.

 

Fast paced walk, broad shoulders, leading with their chest. Walking with intention and purpose down isles.

 

Man with noticeable limp, very slow walk arms are droopy by side, not much intention in walk.

 

Woman with buggy, gesturing people to move out of the way with big hand movements, extremely fast walking.

 

What I noticed is that many people do little gestures without realising it like, one man put his hand on his chin and twiddled his fingers while looking at cans on a shelf. Many gestures performed daily are not realised, which I guess is similar on stage. We do things while performing without even noticing it. Also, what I realised in someone will try their hardest to stop whatever they are doing and act 'casual' if they notice someone is watching which I guess is also quite similar to performing if you're nervous, you tend to be quite stiff and act stiff if there is an audience. This exercise really helped me in my monologue because it made me realise how significant little gestures could be and to not over-act or put too many arm waving gestures in my monologue because in truth, no one in a day-to-day business does that.