STAGING GUIDELINES
Besides being meaningful, movement should also be functional. The audience must be allowed to see and hear the important items. It is crucial to create focal points that catch and hold the audiences’ attention. The following list includes some of the tools that can be used for templates:
1. BODY POSITION – The more the character’s position, the more attention received. Usually full front is the most emphatic, followed by one-quarter, profile, three-quarter, and full back. A standing position is usually more dominant than a sitting position; sitting is more emphatic than lying. An erect posture generally commands more attention than a slouched position.
2. LEVELS – the higher the level, the more attention a character usually receives. Not only is this because the audience can readily see raised figures, but there is also a psychological aspect of height dominating. Different levels can be achieved by sitting on the floor, sitting in a chair, standing, and standing in a chair.
3. EYE FOCUS – People look where others look, so if the characters look toward something, so will the audience.
4. GRAPHIC LINES – Graphic lines lead the audience’s attention to the emphatic figure at either end, depending on the actor’s eye focus. Straight lines are seldom used on stage because they are unnatural. Semicircles rarely allow for emphasis. The most effective stage arrangement is the triangle. In a triangular arrangement, the eyes of the audience travel along either side and focus on the figure at each apex.
5. SPACE – A character surrounded by space draws attention because of the separation and the sense of isolation.
6. CONTRAST – If one actor is different from all of the rest, focus is achieved through contrast. A person who sits while the others stand or is in full back while the others are full front or is dressed in one color while the others are dressed in another color will be accented through contrast.
7. REINFORCEMENT – Any major character who is reinforced or backed up by minor characters achieves focus. A business executive with three secretaries or a king with his retinue are more impressive because of their reinforcement. A character may also be reinforced using scenery, such as being framed by an arch or placed in a high-backed chair or behind a large desk.
8. LIGHT – A character in a strong pool of light dominates those in dim light.
9. COLOR – The more brilliant the costume color, the more emphasis will be on the character.
10. SPEECH – The actor who is speaking has the focus unless there is movement on stage.
11. MOVEMENT – The moving figure achieves emphasis. Forward movement is strong; retreating movement is weak. To accent certain words or a line, move before you speak. To accent movement, speak and then move. Movement during a line weakens the words, and so is often used when the lines are not as important or are to be “thrown away.”