Script Analysis and Character Development
Expert-defined terms from the Executive Certificate in Acting for Film and Television course at HealthCareStudies (An LSPM brand). Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Actionable Goal #
Actionable Goal
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In the context of character development, an actionable goal is a clear and speci… #
It is a goal that can be acted upon and requires the character to make active choices and take deliberate actions to reach it. An actionable goal drives the character's behavior, motivations, and decisions, and provides a clear focus for the actor's performance.
Backstory #
Backstory
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Backstory refers to the history and background of a character that shapes their… #
It includes information about the character's past experiences, relationships, values, beliefs, and traumas that inform their actions and reactions in the story. A well-developed backstory provides depth and nuance to a character, making them more relatable and engaging to the audience.
Behavior #
Behavior
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Behavior refers to the way a character acts and reacts in the script, based on t… #
It includes both verbal and non-verbal communication, such as dialogue, facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. An actor must analyze and portray the character's behavior accurately and consistently to create a believable and compelling performance.
Character Arc #
Character Arc
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A character arc is the transformation or growth that a character undergoes throu… #
It involves a change in the character's personality, behavior, or beliefs, often in response to a conflict or challenge that they face. A well-crafted character arc provides a satisfying and meaningful narrative for the audience, and gives the actor a clear trajectory to follow in their performance.
Character Development #
Character Development
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Character development is the process of creating and refining a fictional charac… #
It involves analyzing the character's personality, behavior, motivations, backstory, and relationships, and using that information to make deliberate choices about how the character will act and react in the story. Effective character development requires empathy, creativity, and critical thinking, as well as a deep understanding of human behavior and psychology.
Conflict #
Conflict
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Conflict refers to the opposing forces or obstacles that a character faces in th… #
Conflict creates tension and drama in the story, and drives the character's actions and decisions. An actor must identify and understand the sources of conflict in the script, and use them to inform the character's behavior and motivations.
Dialogue #
Dialogue
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Dialogue refers to the spoken words that characters use to communicate with each… #
It includes both the actual lines spoken and the subtext or underlying meaning that is conveyed through the words. An actor must analyze the dialogue carefully to understand the character's intentions, emotions, and relationships, and use that information to deliver a believable and engaging performance.
Emotion #
Emotion
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Emotion refers to the feelings and sensations that a character experiences in re… #
It includes both positive and negative emotions, such as joy, anger, sadness, fear, and surprise. An actor must portray the character's emotions accurately and convincingly, using a range of techniques such as facial expressions, body language, and vocal inflection.
Empathy #
Empathy
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Motivation #
Motivation
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Motivation refers to the reasons or drives that prompt a character to act or beh… #
It includes both internal and external factors, such as the character's desires, fears, values, beliefs, and relationships. An actor must analyze the character's motivations carefully to understand their actions and decisions, and use that information to create a believable and engaging performance.
Objective #
Objective
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An objective is a specific and tangible goal that a character wants to achieve i… #
It is a driving force behind the character's actions and decisions, and provides a clear focus for the actor's performance. An objective should be active, positive, and specific, and should require the character to make deliberate choices and take action to achieve it.
Personality #
Personality
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Personality refers to the unique set of characteristics, traits, and tendencies… #
It includes both positive and negative traits, such as extroversion, introversion, optimism, pessimism, honesty, dishonesty, and so on. An actor must analyze the character's personality carefully to understand their behavior, motivations, and relationships, and use that information to create a believable and compelling performance.
Relationships #
Relationships
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Relationships refer to the connections and interactions between characters in th… #
Relationships shape the character's behavior, motivations, and emotions, and provide a rich source of drama and conflict in the story. An actor must analyze the character's relationships carefully to understand their role and significance in the script, and use that information to inform the character's behavior and performance.
Script Analysis #
Script Analysis
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Script analysis is the process of examining and interpreting a script to underst… #
It involves reading the script carefully, identifying the key elements and conflicts, and analyzing the character's behavior, motivations, relationships, and backstory. Effective script analysis requires critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, and provides a solid foundation for character development and performance.
Subtext #
Subtext
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Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or emotion that is not explicitly state… #
Subtext adds depth and nuance to the character's communication, and provides a rich source of information for the actor to explore and convey in their performance.
Transformation #
Transformation
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Transformation refers to the significant and lasting change that a character und… #
Transformation involves a shift in the character's personality, behavior, or beliefs, and provides a powerful and meaningful narrative for the audience. An actor must understand and portray the character's transformation accurately and convincingly, using a range of techniques such as facial expressions, body language, and vocal inflection.
Conclusion #
Conclusion
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In summary, these glossary terms provide a comprehensive and detailed overview o… #
By understanding and applying these terms, actors can create believable and engaging characters, and deliver powerful and memorable performances.