Monthly Archives: December 2009

Make Better Dialogue by Reading it Out Loud

Posted on December 31, 2009 by

In 1990, I attended a summer camp for children with talent in art — I applied to the writing division and was quite pleased to be accepted. It was a sort of validation that came with the knowledge that somebody … Continue reading →

Posted in Diction | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Creating Dramatic Tension

Posted on December 31, 2009 by

Any performance — live or “recorded live on tape” — is nothing without tension.  The live stage is filled with tension because of its unique requirement of being presented in live time while anything can happen. 

Posted in Character | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Intention and Want

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

Intention and want are undervalued, yet powerful, acts of character that define people in their place.  Both actor and audience must have clear wants and intentions to perform and follow — or the dramatic tension will collapse.

Posted in Character | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Show Us Do Not Tell Us

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

One covenant of a successful live performance is adherence to the “Show, Don’t Tell” mandate.  In its most essential form, that mantra means action has much more value to the human heart than mere listening.  

Posted in Spectacle | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments