THE BODYFrom: “Acting for Life: A

Textbook on Acting”

“…do not saw the air too much with your hand, thus;”--Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

“…suit the action to the word,”--Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

Body Language• Body language is a form of non-verbal

communication, and non-verbal communication is a major part of every aspect of your life.

• Understanding body language can be useful, not only for a deaf person using sign language, but also for actors, teachers, businessmen, salesmen and animal trainers.

Body Language Cont’d• We send out non-verbal messages all the time. • Gestures, facial expressions and body movements frequently

show what a person is thinking and feeling. • Actions often speak louder than words.• According to some people who have analyzed body language,

it accounts for about 65 percent of the communication, while speech is 35.

Example:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smTXkhM6v-Y

Dustin Hoffman, the protagonist of “Tootsie” uses a lot of body language to portray a female figure in this film. What aspect of his body language conveys this?

Exploring the Use of the Hands, Face and Body

One of the questions often asked by student actors is,

“What do I do with my hands?”

Exercise: Responding with Hands, Face, and Body

• Respond freely with gesture and facial expression to the following words as they are read:

1. NO!2. STOP!3. Absolutely not!4. You stop that!5. Who?

• 6. Who me?• 7. Come on, follow me.• 8. Why?• 9. I refuse to participate.• 10. Now, now.• 11. Shame on you.• 12. I beg of you.• 13. Please!• 14. I don’t know.• 15. Hi!

16. Come here.17. Get away.18. Goodbye.19. A-O.K.20. We Won!21. Quiet.22. I don’t want to hear this.23. You did it!24. I can’t tell you.25. Don’t tell.26. Ha! You’re crazy.

27. No comment.28. Not me.29. I approve.30. Great. Perfect.31. Never!

Page 33 (Exercise 2).

Pantomime• Pantomime is the expression and

communication of ideas, experiences, characters and small stories through the use of the whole body.

• This is an activity that is performed without words and without real objects.

• The performer “shows” but does not “tell.”

Pantomime Cont’d

• The physical movements are usually more stylized and more theatrical.

• Performers should create action that involves the whole body.

• The actions need to be detailed and clear in execution. Therefore, they may be slower and bigger or more exaggerated than normal in order to show the size, weight and shape of objects.

Pantomime Cont’d • While pantomimes may be based on real

people, actors may also portray mannequins, monsters, robots, extra-terrestrial creatures, clowns or animals such as cats, dogs, etc.

Pantomime Cont’d

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4TqetRMMLc

Cont’d • Pantomimes may include sensory awareness:

tasting (a lemon), touching (a crawling bug), smelling (sour milk) and/or emotional attitudes such as fear, happiness, shyness, anger, loneliness, etc.

• Pantomime is akin (comparable) to dance in the arts and figure skating and gymnastics in sports. While there is no dialogue called for, music is often used as background for these sports and dance.

PARTY QUIRKS CONTINUED…