There are numerous reasons we analyse scripts as actors; so that we can understand the message, so that we can understand and accept the characters and give truth to them, so we can make a decision on whether or not we want the role...
Genre
What genre is the script? There are many different genres of film and each one can often be associated with different themes. Often therefore the genre of the film alone can give clues to what particular messages and issues the writer is trying to grapple with.
Themes
When reading a script, on a separate pad list all the 'Themes' that the writer tackles. In class we used the movie script 'Happiness (1998) by Todd Dolondz.
Some themes that come up are:
- Desire
- Family
- Pursuit of happiness
- Denial
- Lonliness
- Sibling rivialry
- Sexual frustration
- desperation
- Self esteem/loathing
- Murder
- Paedophillia
- Sexual mores
- Aging
- Physical appearance
- Industrial relations
- Therapy
- Neglect
- Secrets/Lies
- Belonging
- Divorce
- Disempowerment
- Sexual frustration
- Sexual fantasy
- Dealing with change
- Delusion
- Keeping appearances
- Lack of connection
- Isolation
- Alienation
- Marriage
- Mortality
- Homosexuality
- Homophobia
- Suicide
- Male bonding
- Unrequited love
- Obsession
- Spiking
- Depression
- Romantic love
- Cries for help
Even this is not a complete list of the themes in this script. Pay particular attention to the opening too, as
"Openings can often be a microcosm of what the script has in store."
Inevitably as you read the script you will have your own judgements of the the characters. The idea of the analysis is to accept the characters, understand them, why are they like that? As an actor you are a vessel for the human condition. Acting is a service to something greater than yourself and your ego. Through Hamlet, Shakespeare gives the same advice:
"Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the toungue: but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town crier spoke my lines."Re-read the script and ask 'What does my character feel/act/behave/think about each of these themes?'
Message
The message can be described as the 'moral of the story' what the writer wants you to go away with. Now everyone has their own story and history, so everyone can interpret the same script differently. There is no right or wrong! That is what is so fascinating about storytelling, it sparks opinions and conversations, it forces you to question.
Some messages we found in 'Happiness (1998) by Todd Dolondz are:
- Live your truth
- Happiness is the futility of people seeking enjoyment from others
- Is happiness external?
- Making peace with the shadows
- Neverending search for hope
- Notions of acceptable behaviour
- Avoidance of pain
- Pain and pleasure are inextricably linked
To help with this try googling your characters name, or the name of the script. What is your characters 3 act structure, what is the 3 act structure for the whole piece. Look carefully at the
Subtext (the significance of the location, the props, the dialogue)
Subplot (the separate story-lines running alongside the main story)
Inner monologue (exploring the inner thoughts and feelings of the character)
Research
Why do research?
- Grounding yourself in truth
- Giving yourself a variety of options
- How does this information relate to/impact my character
Always make sure your research is specific!
How?
- Internet/google
- support groups for the issues in question (AA/NA/SLAA)
- (as an actor it is important that you are always honest about why you are attending these meetings if you go. If asked you should admit that you are there doing research)
- Interview people
- Experience - live it
- Watch documentaries
- Immerse yourself in the culture - go to similar locations it is set in
- Read novels/biographies
- Chat rooms (if its set in New Jersey, ask about the neighbourhood etc)
- Listen to music/watch theatre
- Interview a psychiatrist/doctor/whatever profession the character is
- Go to lectures
- Youtube tutorials
