Dee Cannon - In-Depth Acting II - Transitive/Active Verbs?

Dee Cannon – In-Depth Acting II – Transitive/Active Verbs?

What are Transitive/Active Verbs?

Transitive/active verbs are action-oriented words that describe what a character is doing to another character or to themselves in a scene. These verbs are used to articulate the character’s objectives and the specific actions they take to achieve those objectives. They are called „transitive“ because they require an object—someone or something that the action is directed towards.

Why Use Transitive/Active Verbs?

Clarity of Intention: They provide a clear and specific intention behind each line or action, making the performance more focused and purposeful.

Dynamic Performance: They help actors avoid static or generalized performances by ensuring that every moment is driven by a specific action.

Emotional Truth: By focusing on actions rather than emotions, actors can achieve a more authentic and connected performance.

How to Use Transitive/Active Verbs:

Identify Objectives: Determine what your character wants in the scene (e.g., to get sympathy, to persuade, to intimidate).

Break Down the Script: Divide the script into beats or units of action, each representing a change in thought or objective.

Assign Verbs: For each beat, assign a transitive/active verb that describes what your character is doing to achieve their objective (e.g., to charm, to threaten, to comfort).

Examples of Transitive/Active Verbs:

To accuse
To beg
To charm
To defend
To encourage
To flatter
To intimidate
To persuade
To reassure
To seduce

Practical Application:

Example Monologue Breakdown:
Monologue from „The Typists“ by Murray Schisgal

Text:

„My family never had money problems. In that respect we were very fortunate. My father made a good living, while he was alive, that is. He passed away when I was seventeen. You could say he and my mother had a fairly happy marriage. At least we never knew when they were angry with one another, and that’s a good thing for children. I have a sister. Charlotte. She’s older than I am. She’s married now and we don’t bother much with each other.“

Breakdown:

Beat 1: „My family never had money problems. In that respect we were very fortunate. My father made a good living, while he was alive, that is.“

Verb: To share
Objective: To provide background information and establish a connection with the listener.

Beat 2: „He passed away when I was seventeen. You could say he and my mother had a fairly happy marriage. At least we never knew when they were angry with one another, and that’s a good thing for children.“

Verb: To reflect
Objective: To convey personal history and the impact of her father’s death.

Beat 3: „I have a sister. Charlotte. She’s older than I am. She’s married now and we don’t bother much with each other.“

Verb: To distance
Objective: To express the current state of her relationship with her sister.

By using transitive/active verbs, actors can ensure that their performance is driven by clear, actionable intentions, making their portrayal more dynamic and engaging. This approach helps actors stay connected to their character’s objectives and maintain a truthful and compelling performance throughout the scene.

Actors can practice using transitive verbs through a series of exercises designed to help them identify, assign, and fully embody these verbs in their performances. Here are some practical steps and exercises to help actors integrate transitive verbs into their acting practice:

Steps to Practice Using Transitive Verbs:

Script Analysis:

Read the Script: Start by reading the entire script to understand the overall story, characters, and relationships.

Identify Objectives: Determine what your character wants in each scene. This is the character’s objective.

Break Down the Script: Divide the script into beats or units of action. Each beat represents a change in thought, objective, or action.

Assign Transitive Verbs:

Choose Verbs: For each beat, assign a transitive verb that describes what your character is doing to achieve their objective. Ensure the verbs are specific and actionable.
Write Them Down: Mark the verbs in the margins of your script next to the corresponding lines or beats.

Rehearse with Verbs:

Focus on Actions: During rehearsal, concentrate on playing the verbs fully rather than just saying the lines. This helps you stay connected to your character’s intentions.

Physicalize the Verbs: Incorporate physical actions that align with the verbs to make your performance more dynamic and believable.

Exercises to Practice Using Transitive Verbs:

1. Verb Substitution Exercise:

Objective: To explore different ways of delivering a line using various transitive verbs.
Method: Take a single line of dialogue and practice delivering it with different transitive verbs. For example, use the line „I need to talk to you“ and try it with verbs like „to beg,“ „to command,“ „to persuade,“ and „to intimidate.“

Reflection: Notice how each verb changes your delivery, physicality, and emotional connection to the line.

2. Scene Breakdown Exercise:

Objective: To apply transitive verbs to an entire scene.
Method: Choose a scene from a play or film. Break it down into beats and assign a transitive verb to each beat. Rehearse the scene, focusing on playing the verbs fully.
Partner Work: Work with a scene partner and give each other feedback on how effectively the verbs are being played.

3. Improvisation with Verbs:

Objective: To practice using transitive verbs in an unscripted context.
Method: Create an improvisation scenario with a clear objective. Assign each actor a transitive verb to use during the improv. For example, one actor’s verb might be „to convince,“ while the other’s might be „to resist.“
Debrief: After the improvisation, discuss how the verbs influenced the interaction and what adjustments could be made.

4. Monologue Practice:

Objective: To integrate transitive verbs into a monologue.
Method: Choose a monologue and break it down into beats. Assign a transitive verb to each beat. Rehearse the monologue, focusing on playing the verbs rather than just reciting the lines.
Self-Recording: Record yourself performing the monologue and review the recording to see if the verbs are clearly influencing your performance.

5. Physicalization Exercise:

Objective: To embody transitive verbs through physical actions.
Method: Choose a list of transitive verbs and practice physicalizing each one without speaking. For example, „to comfort“ might involve gentle, soothing gestures, while „to intimidate“ might involve strong, imposing movements.
Group Activity: In a group setting, have each actor perform a verb physically while others guess the verb. This helps actors understand the physicality associated with different actions.

By regularly practicing these exercises, actors can develop a deeper understanding of how to use transitive verbs to drive their performances, making their characters‘ intentions clear and their actions more dynamic and engaging.

Transitive verbs are crucial in character development because they provide clear, actionable objectives that drive a character’s behavior and interactions. By focusing on what a character is actively doing to another character or to themselves, actors can create more dynamic, specific, and believable performances. Here’s how transitive verbs help in character development:

1. Clarifying Objectives:

Specific Actions: Transitive verbs help actors define what their character wants in each moment. For example, instead of a vague objective like „to get attention,“ a transitive verb like „to charm“ or „to provoke“ provides a clear, actionable goal.

Focused Intentions: By using transitive verbs, actors can focus on specific intentions, making their actions more purposeful and directed.

2. Creating Dynamic Interactions:

Active Engagement: Transitive verbs encourage actors to actively engage with their scene partners. For instance, verbs like „to persuade,“ „to intimidate,“ or „to comfort“ require the actor to interact dynamically with others, leading to more compelling and responsive performances.
Emotional Impact: These verbs help actors understand how their character’s actions affect others, creating a more emotionally resonant performance.

3. Enhancing Physicality:

Physical Actions: Transitive verbs often come with inherent physical actions. For example, „to embrace“ involves a physical hug, while „to push“ involves a physical shove. This helps actors embody their character more fully.

Body Language: Using transitive verbs can influence an actor’s body language, making their physical presence more aligned with their character’s intentions.

4. Building Consistency:

Character Consistency: By consistently applying transitive verbs, actors can maintain a coherent and consistent portrayal of their character throughout the performance.
Scene Transitions: Transitive verbs help actors navigate scene transitions smoothly by providing clear actions that link different parts of the performance.

5. Deepening Emotional Connection:

Emotional Truth: Transitive verbs help actors connect emotionally to their character’s actions. For example, „to plead“ might evoke feelings of desperation, while „to seduce“ might evoke feelings of allure.

Subtext: These verbs help actors explore the subtext of their lines, adding depth and complexity to their performance.

Practical Application:

Example Scene: A Confrontation

Script Excerpt:
Character A: „Why did you lie to me?“
Character B: „I had no choice.“

Using Transitive Verbs:

Character A’s Objective: To uncover the truth.

Transitive Verb: „To accuse“

Action: Character A might point a finger, lean forward aggressively, or raise their voice.

Character B’s Objective: To defend themselves.

Transitive Verb: „To justify“

Action: Character B might hold up their hands in a placating gesture, speak calmly but firmly, or avoid eye contact.

Rehearsal Process:

Identify Verbs: Assign transitive verbs to each line or beat in the scene.

Physicalize Actions: Practice the scene, focusing on the physical actions associated with each verb.

Emotional Connection: Connect emotionally to the verbs, allowing them to influence your delivery and reactions.

Exercises to Practice Using Transitive Verbs:

1. Verb Substitution Exercise:

2. Scene Breakdown Exercise:

Objective: To apply transitive verbs to an entire scene.

Method: Choose a scene from a play or film. Break it down into beats and assign a transitive verb to each beat. Rehearse the scene, focusing on playing the verbs fully.
Partner Work: Work with a scene partner and give each other feedback on how effectively the verbs are being played.

3. Improvisation with Verbs:

Objective: To practice using transitive verbs in an unscripted context.

Method: Create an improvisation scenario with a clear objective. Assign each actor a transitive verb to use during the improv. For example, one actor’s verb might be „to convince,“ while the other’s might be „to resist.“

Debrief: After the improvisation, discuss how the verbs influenced the interaction and what adjustments could be made.

By integrating transitive verbs into their practice, actors can develop a deeper understanding of their character’s motivations and actions, leading to more nuanced and engaging performances.