Eye contact, proxemics and movement

The objective for this lesson is to understand how, as actors, we can combine the use of eye contact, proxemics and movement and blocking on a stage to bring a character from a script to life and successfully communicate their character to an audience. Students will have the opportunity to add more terminology to their growing 'toolbox' of physical and vocal skills. This lesson includes some physical activity. We recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting or doing the lesson with the trusted adult nearby.

Eye contact, proxemics and movement

The objective for this lesson is to understand how, as actors, we can combine the use of eye contact, proxemics and movement and blocking on a stage to bring a character from a script to life and successfully communicate their character to an audience. Students will have the opportunity to add more terminology to their growing 'toolbox' of physical and vocal skills. This lesson includes some physical activity. We recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting or doing the lesson with the trusted adult nearby.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Read monologue / scene and reflect on the given circumstance, interpretation and motivation of the character in the scene. Demonstrate a few lines for annotation for voice and movement. Act monologue / scene out focusing using both voice and movement, as well as the whole space that the stage has to offer.

Content guidance

  • Physical activity required.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Loading...

5 Questions

Q1.
What does the key term pace mean?
A break or a deliberate moment of silence in your speech.
Helping your voice be heard over a long distance.
Correct answer: The speed of your voice when you talk.
Q2.
What do actors call the process of creating a character?
Correct answer: Characterisation
Devising
Rehearsing
Q3.
What does the key word pause mean?
Correct answer: A break or a deliberate moment of silence in your speech.
Helping your voice be heard over a long distance.
The speed of your voice.
Q4.
What key word do we use to describe the emotion in your voice?
Pace
Projection
Correct answer: Tone
Volume
Q5.
What key word do we use to describe why a character does something on stage?
Costume
Given circumstances
Correct answer: Motivation

5 Questions

Q1.
What does the key word eye contact mean?
How we move around the stage to communicate to an audience.
How we use the space between two characters to communicate to an audience.
Correct answer: How we use where we look and who we look at to communicate to the audience.
Q2.
What key word do we use to describe how we use the space between two characters to communicate to an audience?
Blocking
Movement
Correct answer: Proxemics
Q3.
What does the proxemics between two characters standing 3 meters apart with their backs to each other most likely to suggest?
They are close friends
They don't know each other
Correct answer: They had an argument
Q4.
What key word do we use to describe the emotion in your voice?
Pace
Projection
Correct answer: Tone
Volume
Q5.
What key word do we use to describe why a character does something on stage?
Costume
Given circumstances
Correct answer: Motivation

Lesson appears in

UnitDrama / Approaching text: Bringing it to life