Scene Context: Dedicated to the Craft Explores Tactics & Objectives Within Given Circumstances | Electric Secrets

In this episode of Dedicated to the Craft, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast by MonsterVox Productions, host Scott Leon Smith dives deeper into the art of scene work. This episode builds on previous discussions by introducing the concept of working within given circumstances, using a scene called The Waiting Room to illustrate how actors can apply tactics and objectives to bring a script to life.

Key Themes and Concepts

Scott emphasizes the importance of tactics and objectives in acting, focusing on how they create dynamic, believable performances. This episode introduces the concept of breaking a scene into beats and applying specific tactics to each, ensuring a natural escalation of conflict and tension.

Recap of Tactics and Objectives

• Tactics: Specific, actionable verbs (e.g., "proclaim," "comfort," "provoke") that actors use to drive their performance, fueled by imagination and vocal energy.

• Objectives: A combination of a tactic and a desired outcome (e.g., "hassle them so that they apologize").

• Focal Point: Tactics and objectives always target a specific entity, such as another character, the audience, or an abstract concept.

• Beats: Dividing a scene into manageable parts to assign unique tactics for each character, creating a sense of rising action.

Analyzing The Waiting Room

Scott introduces a short scene titled The Waiting Room, featuring characters Alex and Jamie in a hospital waiting room. The dialogue has a melodramatic, poetic quality, which poses a challenge for actors to avoid playing the mood and instead focus on tactics.

Applying Tactics to Performance

Scott demonstrates how applying these tactics brings the scene to life, creating tension and conflict. By reading the scene with tactical energy, he shows how actors can make dialogue feel natural and dynamic, even with poetic or abstract language. He stresses that tactics, not mood, drive realistic performances, citing examples like Shakespeare and Waiting for Godot.

Interactive Exercise: The Bridge

Scott challenges listeners to apply the same techniques to a new scene, The Bridge, featuring characters Sam and Riley. The context is that they meet on a bridge at dusk, with an unspoken history between them.

Exercise Instructions

• Read the Scene: Access The Bridge via the podcast transcript at www.monstervoxproductions.com under the Electric Secrets podcast page.

• Break into Beats: Divide the scene into manageable parts.

• Assign Tactics and Objectives: For each beat, assign a tactic for Sam and Riley, focusing on their vocal energy and objectives.

• Experiment: Read the scene with a partner, sitting back-to-back, to focus on vocal energy rather than physical performance. Experiment with different tactics to explore the scene’s dynamics.

• Feedback: Email [e-mail] for feedback on your work.

Looking Ahead

In the next episode, Scott will explore sense memory and emotional memory to add depth to characters and scenes, building on the foundation laid in this episode.