The Director’s Eye

1. The Director’s Eye Stage Composition—Creating memorable stage pictures Emphasize the character who is most important in the moment

2. Stage Composition • 4 elements of Stage Composition • Body positions • Strongest: full front—important lines • 2nd strongest: full back—special cases • 3rd strongest: ¼ front—used in shared scenes • Weakest—profile • Stage areas • Characters closer to the audience (downstage) vs. away from the audience (upstage) • Strongest stage area: DC • Weakest stage area: UL

3. Stage Composition • Levels create a more interesting visual picture • Created by using platforms, stairs, etc. • Person who is at the highest height is the focus • Planes—positioning actors at different depths on the stage • Diagonals—create tension • Same plane—equal focus • Triangles create tension for 3+ actors

4. Stage Composition • The 4 elements of composition help to determine the FOCUS of the scene • Where the audience should be looking and which character they should be watching • 4 elements of composition determine the emphasis • Direct emphasis=1 character focus • Duo emphasis=2 character focus • Diversified emphasis=multiple focal points

5. Onstage Movement • Considerations… • NEVER MOVE WITHOUT A PURPOSE • If you can’t answer why you are moving, or if the answer is “because the script says to”, then DON’T • Think about the actions you need to take to accomplish your objective • Hidden motives? • Character interaction? • Physical obstacles on the set?

6. Onstage Movement How does the audience interpret onstage movement? • 1 actor moves toward a stationary actor= • Confrontation • 1 actor moves away from a stationary actor= • Avoidance • Both actors are moving (chase)= • Both confrontation and avoidance Any movement onstage pulls audience focus!