Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
New artists sometime show cliché emotions. For example, when asked to portray an emotion,
they will smile widely to show happy or they will frown deeply to show sad. Using overly
simplifi ed external expressions that are crudely portrayed will not convey emotion. The result?
A generic and empty character. Always infuse your character with authentic emotion.
Applying the Psychological Process to a Character
Grimmy by Mike Peters
You now know how to access an authentic feeling using emotional recall or empathy. Now,
apply it to a character that you are developing. Whether the character is a vengeful chair,
a rambunctious bull, or even Hamlet:
• Find the moment you want to express
• Use your acting technique to feel the corresponding emotion
• Observe how the emotion affects you
• Transpose this emotion to the character
For example, an actor is studying Hamlet. He knows that Hamlet is consumed by revenge
due to the wrongful death of his father. However, the actor has never experienced the death
of his own father. How does he emotionally connect to Hamlet? Instead of playing the
amateur idea of Hamlet as a crazy madman, the actor looks at each moment in the play
and identifi es what Hamlet is feeling. Then, by using emotional recall and empathy, he
chooses images from his own life so that he can relate to the character's specifi c emotional
moments. Thus, he can begin to fathom the depth of Hamlet's pain.
Remember—be specifi c to the moment that you want to express.
• Amateurs—project generalized feelings that do not correspond to the moment
• Trained Professionals—convey feelings specifi c to the moment
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