how do you create a reailstic character on stage, and how do you direct your actors to do it??

Answer 1

"Realism" is a very tricky phrase. It doesn't necessarily mean "life-like." It's not the same thing as "naturalism." Rather, it means that a performance is crafted in harmony with the overall tone of the production. It has to fit with the other performances, with the costume and scenic design...basically, it has to make sense within the larger context of the show as a whole.

Having said that, I'll also say that REALISM, in any context, comes from the actor playing from a core of TRUTH and HONESTY. What is "real" for the actor will come across as "real" to the audience...however broad or stylized the playing.

This question cuts right to the heart of what turns out to be the biggest problem for student-actors...they come to their training believing that ACTING is a means whereby they can escape from themselves, and, for a period of time, become someone else. Nothing could be further from the truth. An actor's best work occurs when he or she REVEALS some of the essential qualities that make him/her unique.

As our old friend Stanislavski (allegedly) once said: "The person you are is 1,000 times more interesting than any character you could ever be."

Answer 2

Too much question for this message board. There is really so much to acting and so many different schools of thought on the subject that it is impossible to fully answer your question without overloading the server. Your best bet is to do some research. Read any thing by Stanislavsky or Bolisloviski. Try to find a working actor or acting coach or college professor or knowledgeable community theatre director and have an in depth conversation with them. If you are directing, I highly suggest the book "Misdirecting the Play", not really for character development but as a guide how to avoid over directing a production. Good luck!

Answer 3

It depends on the character and it depends on the actor. There is no one magic way to create a character. Anthony Hopkins says it's the shoes; once he knows what shoes his character wears, he knows the character. Actors create a character based upon whatever technique they have studied. I read the play, get my initial reactions, decide why I want to do the role and then begin a really detailed breakdown of the script to determine the arc, climax and other significant moments for the character. And then it's mostly a matter of filling in the blanks using real or imaginary situations (the subconcious can't tell the difference).

As a director, casting is about 90% of the job. You cast someone who brings a quality you're looking for to the character and then you build upon that.

Answer 4

I would base the character on someone I knew in real life, but disguised enough that I wouldn't have legal problems.

Your actors should believe themselves to be the the character. Help them to feel it.

For example, if they were playing a prudish old lady and they were at a stop light with some raucous boys pulled up next to them revving up their engine how would the prudish old lady react? Would her reactions typically be the same as say another young man or a mother with children in the car? Have them imagine, then be, the prudish old women.

Answer 5

Give your actors a general idea of your perception of who the character is...the way he/she talks, any quirky behavor, mannerisms, their general philosophy, etc. and then allow the actor to add their own personal touches to that character. Seems to me that all the great performances have used this type of chemistry. You have to be willing to be open to any ideas your actors may have. And try to pick actors that already have some of the mannerisms of the character you are creating, by doing that half your work is done!