Objectives

Definition

In the context of directing, objectives refer to the specific goals or intentions that guide a character's actions and decisions within a performance. These objectives drive the narrative forward and provide actors with clarity on how to portray their characters authentically, influencing their interactions and emotional responses throughout the rehearsal process and ultimately shaping the performance style.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Objectives help actors understand their characters by providing clarity on what they want in each scene, leading to more believable performances.
2. Characters can have multiple objectives within a single scene, which can shift depending on interactions with other characters or changes in circumstances.
3. Effective rehearsal techniques involve exploring and refining these objectives to ensure actors can embody their roles fully and engage with one another meaningfully.
4. Understanding a character's objectives is essential for directors as it influences how they guide the actors' performances and the overall vision for the production.
5. Different performance styles may emphasize varying approaches to objectives, such as realism focusing on psychological depth versus stylized performances highlighting abstract goals.

Review Questions

• How do objectives influence an actor's preparation during rehearsals?
  • Objectives serve as a roadmap for actors during rehearsals, helping them identify what their character wants in each moment. By understanding these goals, actors can make informed choices about how to express emotions and react to other characters. This clarity not only enhances individual performances but also creates stronger connections between actors, resulting in a more cohesive production overall.
• Discuss the relationship between a character's objectives and the overall narrative structure of a performance.
  • A character's objectives are integral to the narrative structure as they drive the plot forward and create tension within the story. As characters pursue their goals, conflicts arise that challenge them and lead to character development. This interplay between objectives and narrative progression ensures that the audience remains engaged, as they witness characters strive for what they want while navigating obstacles that test their resolve.
• Evaluate how varying directing methods impact the portrayal of objectives in performances.
  • Directing methods can significantly shape how objectives are portrayed on stage or screen. For example, a naturalistic approach might focus on psychological motivations behind objectives, encouraging actors to explore their characters' inner lives deeply. In contrast, a more stylized method could prioritize visual expression of objectives through movement and blocking. By adapting directing methods, directors can influence how clearly and effectively objectives are communicated to the audience, ultimately affecting the overall impact of the performance.

Related terms

Superobjective: The overarching goal that drives a character throughout the entire play or story, often influencing their smaller, scene-specific objectives.

Motivation: The underlying reasons or desires that propel a character towards their objectives, providing depth and believability to their actions.

Conflict: The struggle between opposing forces within a narrative that challenges characters in pursuing their objectives, often revealing their true nature and intentions.