Assesment

Question 1

Pitch

Answer 1

The highness or lowness of a character’s voice. (e.g. high or low pitch) If a character is excited they may have a piercing pitch.

Question 2

Pace

Answer 2

How quickly or slowly a character speaks. (e.g. a disjointed, steady, measured or slow pace). If a character speaks using a slow pace it may mean they are old.

Question 3

Volume

Answer 3

How loudly or quietly a character speaks (e.g. a whisper, a shout, a soft voice, a screech or a yell). If a character shouts it may mean that they are angry.

Question 4

Tone

Answer 4

The emotion in a character’s voice. (e.g. a menacing, sharp, jolly, upbeat or soothing tone) If a character is surprised they may speak in an excited tone of voice.

Question 5

Accent

Answer 5

Shows where the character comes from. (e.g. a Cockney, French,
Liverpudlian or American accent) An accent can also reflect status - if a character has a posh accent they may have a higher status.

Question 6

Pause

Answer 6

A dramatic pause at a crucial moment is very effective in a performance. e.g. a
character may pause in order to create suspense when giving another character important news.

Question 7

Monotone

Answer 7

Speaking without variation in tone (e.g. a toneless, dull or expressionless voice). If a character is bored, then they may speak using a dull monotone.

Question 8

Intonation

Answer 8

The rise and fall of the voice can be used to create meaning, eg a rise in intonation at the end of a line can denote a question.

Question 9

Posture

Answer 9

The way a character holds their body when standing, sitting or moving. e.g. If a character has a hunched back, they may be old.

Question 10

Gesture

Answer 10

A movement (of the hand or head) to express an idea, meaning or feeling. e.g. If a character has a clenched fist it may mean that they are angry.

Question 11

Movement

Answer 11

The way in which a character moves (e.g. a slow, quick or steady movement). If a character has quick movements it may mean they are frustrated.

Question 12

Facial expression

Answer 12

The way in which a character uses their face to show emotion

e.g. a cheerful, delighted, miserable, or disappointed facial expression.

Question 13

Eye contact

Answer 13

moment when eyes meet. The length of the eye contact can convey emotion and status.

Question 14

Speed/pace

Answer 14

How quickly a character moves in the space. Stillness – when a character is silent, calm and not moving.

Question 15

Mannerisms

Answer 15

Repeated movements and gestures that are features of a character.

Question 16

Non-verbal communication

Answer 16

how characters can show meaning without actually speaking words

Question 17

Leading body parts

Answer 17

A “body lead” is the idea that different characters have uniquely characteristic body parts and postures, and an actor can identify and explore those unique attributes, through moving around the space leading from a body part e.g. nose, knee, belly etc.

Question 18

7 states of tension

Answer 18

Exhausted or catatonic (1), laid back (2), neutral or the economic (3), alert or curious (4), suspense or the reactive (5), passionate (6), tragic (7).