Download The GOTE Sheet

Prof. Kathy Byrne
Fundamentals of Acting
TPP 1100.002 & .003
10 AM & 11 AM MWF
GUIDELINES FOR THE TWO PAPERS ABOUT YOUR
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERS:
A.) The Monologue: You will be asked to select a monologue from an existing
Dramatic work (a play) or a piece that has been written as a monologue for
performance. This may not be an original work of your own or from a film.
The monologue must be 1-3 minutes in length and consist of words spoken by
one character only. The monologue should be the words of a character that is
your own gender. You should also attempt to select a piece of text that you
can “resonate” with or relate to- emotionally, politically, thematically, and in
relation to language. BE ADVISED: Some of the monologues and scenes in
this class will contain strong language and content. Plays are part of our right
to free speech and content will not be censored. If you feel strongly about not
being exposed to certain content during the class, please consult with me
beforehand.
B.) The Scene: You will be asked to select a scene from an existing dramatic
work (a play). The scene should include two characters. This may not be an
original work of your own or from a film. The scene must be 3-5 minutes in
length. You must play a character of your own gender in the scene. You will
perform this scene with your scene partner on the specified day and time.
Both scenes and monologues must be memorized word for word by the “OffBook” date given by the instructor. Wherever possible, the play from which the
“cuttings” are taken should be read in its entirety. Minimal props and costumes
may be used if desired, but they are not a requirement. Rehearsal time should be
scheduled with your partner outside of class, although class time will be allotted
for the rehearsal of the pieces prior to the specified performance date. Each
student will complete both a Script and Character Analysis for both the
Monologue AND the Scene which must be turned in on the “Off-Book” date.
Script Analysis: (The G.O.T.E. Sheet)
Definition of Terms:
Goal: The character’s principal quest which the actor assumes. Everything on
stage must be seen, first and foremost, as a character pursuing a goal. Words such
as intention, want, objective, action, or purpose are sometimes used
interchangeably for the word goal. It’s the main thing- or things- your character
wants within the context of your piece. (monologue or scene) The goal should be
something specific and should incite the character to action.
Other: The other is the person (or persons) with whom, for whom, or from whom
you seek your goal. There is always an “other” in acting; no goal can be achieved
simply by yourself. In drama all the victories must be hard-earned, and must be
achieved through interpersonal struggle. The other in the scene, therefore, is what
makes achieving goals difficult. You may also think of the other as your main
obstacle, another “O” word. The struggle to overcome obstacles creates much of
the dynamics- the work- of acting.
Tactics: Tactics are the character’s means of trying to achieve goals; they are
what gives acting it’s “guts”. Tactics, and trying to achieve goals through them,
make acting “real” for the actors, and make actors indistinguishable from
characters, at least from the audience’s point of view. A good actor will be able to
move fluidly and purposefully from tactic to tactic in pursuit of victories
throughout the text.
Expectation: This gives tone, spring, and excitement to the pursuit of goals and
the quest for victory. It also lends every dramatic action at least a touch of
enthusiasm. Expectation, excitement, enthusiasm, and even energy are “E” words
that make a memory package: They define characters who have not only wants,
but passions as well. The victory you are seeking as the character is not just an
ordinary whim; it is the prime goal of your life, and it is within your reach if you
try hard enough.
[The definitions contained above were paraphrased from Acting I, Fifth Edition;
Robert Cohen; Pgs. 61-65, Copyright 2008]
Use the following as an outline for completing your GOTE sheet. Answer all of
the following questions with as much detail as possible.
1. Basic information about the character:
Name:
Gender:
Age:
Marital status and history:
Educational level:
Socio-Economic level:
2. Goal: What do I really want? When do I want it?
3. Other: From whom (in the play) do I want it? Who in the play can help
me? Who in the play can hurt me? Who is an obstacle? Why? What are my
deepest fears?
4. Tactics: How can I get it? How (and whom) can I threaten? How (and
whom) can I induce?
5. Expectations: Why do I expect to get it? Why does it excite me? What will
I do when I get it?
Character Analysis:
A.) Describe your character in the scene and monologue using the following
categories:
Physical:A listing of their appearance including size, body type, coloration,
posture,etc.
Social: Includes status, rank, religious orientation, social adaptability, etc.
Psychological: How the character thinks and feels inside. Are they a
psychopath, manic-depressive, introvert, extrovert, are they secure or insecure,
etc.?
Moral: How far are they willing to go to get what they want? How do they
measure right and wrong?
B.) Create at least four abstractions for the character from the following list and
say WHY you chose that abstraction; as in: “If my character were an animal,
they would be a cat because they are quick and always seem to land on their
feet.”
Animal Cartoon Character Color Car Musical Instrument
Song Book Song City Item of Clothing
C.) Write a one page Biography of the character you are playing in both the scene
and the monologue. Some of the information listed above may be part of this
“bio”. Include relevant information about the character’s childhood and
formative years, their nuclear family history, idiosyncrasies, quirks,
predisposition to addiction or habits, major fears, major regrets, and favorite
colors, foods, or places, as well as any other information you can think of.
The “Bio” should be arrived at via the following three stages of inquiry:
Investigation: What is already in the script.
Inference: What may be inferred from what is given.
Invention: What you create with your imagination.
D.) Explain the Given Circumstances of the piece for both the scene and the
monologue. Tell what the time, place, weather, and any other pertinent
information is, in specific detail.