Quick Description
The group walks around randomly and walks like a character from a genre.
This quick exercise will help you focus on populating a genre.
This activity will allow the group to find characters non-verbally. A specific way of walking can lead to a full and rich character.
How to Play
- Identify the kind of long form genre you are going to explore. [For example, Film Noir, Romantic Comedy, Historical Epic etc]
- Everyone walks randomly around the stage area. [Start walking neutrally.]
- One person initiates walking like a type of person from the identified genre. [You can start with easily identifiable type like stereotypes or archetypes.]
- Everyone else starts walking around like that person.
- At some point another players initiates a different walk.
- Continue until you’re ready to move on to another exercise.
Notes
Getting the character in the body instead of in the words has many advantages.
You do not need to have people say what type of character they are walking like. Each person has their own experience with the movement.
If more than one person does a character walk, let the group figure it out, instead of stepping in. It may provide a useful conversation later about a scene with multiple offers, or about pleasing your partners.
Resist relying on words. However, having said that, consider having the group find a phrase that fits the character.
Random walking: Consider using these prompts to keep the walk random.
- Look for an empty space in the room and walk to it. Then find another empty space.
- If you find yourself walking in a pattern, clock wise for example, just change the pattern.
This game is similar to a warm up where music is played and only one in the group dances. If two people start they need to figure it out how to move forward without stopping the dancing and talking about it. Just like in an improv performance.
Origin
I am not sure of the origin of this exercise.
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