Transcript Speaking the Lines

Speaking the Lines
Combining Volume, Articulation,
Pace, and Breathe Control to
Create Stress and Emotion
Rule 1: Know the Meaning
• It is essential that an actor know what the
words he is speaking mean!
o
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Literal meaning
Fit into motivating force and beats
• Example from Romeo and Juliet:
Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore are thou
Romeo?
Rule 2: Find the Operative Words
• Operative Words: the words that are
emphasized, or stressed, to build the true
meaning and effect of the line.
• Practice from Cyrano:
Roxane: His forehead shows his genius and
his wit,/ He’s young, proud, noble, brave, and
fairCyrano: (getting up, very pale) What, fair?
Rule 3: Find Focal Points
• Focal point: the key idea of an entire sentence or
line.
o
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Most lines will have more than 1 operative word
The focal point is the most important operative word
• Practice from Cyrano:
Lise: (offended) My eyes, with haughty glance,/Know
how to conquer any lover rash/Who would assail my
virtue.
Cyrano: Eugh! Your eyes,/For conquerors, seem of
yielding spirit.
Tips to Find
Operative Words & Focal Points
• Look for contrast.
• Practice from Cyrano:
Cyrano: Well, yes, tis’ my weakness./To displease is
my pleasure. Hate I love./My friend, if you but knew
how light one walks/Under the fusillade of hostile
eyes;/What pleasant little spots upon one’s
doublet/Are made by envy’s gall and cowards’
spittle!—
Cyrano: You fear lest by yourself you chill her
heart?/Shall we not join your lips and my fine
words?/And very soon you’ll fold her in your arms.
Tips to Find
Operative Words & Focal Points
• Look for other forms of figurative
language.
Cyrano: … Well: I was marching all alone, to
meet them,/The moon shone in the sky like a
great watch,/When some watchmaker,
suddenly, with care,/Starting to draw a piece of
cloudy cotton/Across the silver case of this
round watch,/The night became the blackest
ever seen;/And as there are no lights upon the
quays,/Good Lord! You could not see
beyond—
Formative Assessment
With a partner, choose just 4 lines from a section
from Act 2 with dialogue between 2 characters.
1.Write down the selection, citing page numbers.
2.Identify the operative words and focal points,
explaining your reasoning.
3.Practice saying the lines using good volume,
breathe control, pace, and articulation.
4.Perform for the class