The Art of Theatrical Timing-Part 2

The Art of Theatrical Timing-Part 2

Textbook Pages 99-100

Pause

A period of silence that is used to convey deeper meaning than lines are capable of doing.

Building a scene

the act of pacing the scene so that it keeps the audience eager for more. It has a beginning, a climax, an anti-climax, and an ending.

Beats

Sections of a scene that stand apart from others. A scene is made up of several of these.

Covering

the method actors use to hide mistakes in a scene. If a line is forgotten, another actor may say it or it might be fed to the one who forgot. Lines might even be made up. When done right, the audience never knows there was a problem.

Ad-lib

To make up lines as the scene progresses

_{Dead Space}

Uncomfortable silence that is attributed to poor timing or memorization or bad breathing.

Poll

Imagine being in the following situations. Which one would you think would have the slowest timing.

• You just woke up to realize you forgot to set your alarm clock. You have an exam in half an hour and you have to get ready.

• You work at a fast food restaurant and it's a very hectic lunch time. You have a large order to fill but you stayed up late doing a project for science and are exhausted.

• You are in an elevator when your ex-best friend gets in. It's a long ride and you try to make polite conversation.

• You are in your sister's room reading her diary to your best friend on the phone when you hear the front door. Within seconds her doorknob begins to turn.

• You and your date just realized that you are running late for the movie, but you are having a great time just talking at dinner.

Multiple Choice

A period of silence that is used to convey deeper meaning than lines are capable of doing.

• Beats

• Pause

• Covering

• Building a scene

Multiple Choice

Sections of a scene that stand apart from others. A scene is usually made up of several beats.

• Beats

• Building a scene

• Ad-lib

• Covering

Multiple Choice

The act of pacing the scene so that it keeps the audience eager for more. It has a beginning, a climax, an anti-climax, and an ending.

• Ad-lib

• Pause

• Building a scene

• Beats

Multiple Choice

To make up lines as the scene progresses

• Ad-lib

• Pause

• Beats

• Covering