Stage persona: concept, image formation, costume selection, work with actors and the concept of role

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Acting is a very subtle science. Talent is given to units, and it is possible to show it (and to the viewer - to consider) only on stage. If an artist plays in real time, and not in front of the camera, if at this moment the viewer holds his breath, he cannot tear himself away from the performance, then there is a spark, there is talent. Among themselves, the actors call it a little differently - a stage image. This is part of the artist's personality, his theatrical embodiment, but this is not a person's character and not his lifestyle.

Interpretation of the term

Even from the name itself it is clear that the stage image is a certain role that the artist "puts on" in order to play a particular role. It must exactly match the character that is described in the script, and at the same time be "alive". Further, it becomes clear to us that each individual role played byactor, individual. Somewhere you need to play comically, in another performance you will need to show sadness, pain, suffering, in the third - to become a scoundrel, a villain. You might think that there are many stage images, and their second, more understandable name is roles. But everything is not so simple. A good actor can be recognized by his "handwriting", that is, the style of performance. This is the very stage image that is inherent in him. Whatever role the actor plays - dramatic, comic or tragic, it will be endowed with unique emotions, traits and characteristics that a particular person shows. That is why we love specific artists so much, no matter how diverse their roles may be.

Subtleties of craft

Actors are people who wear a lot of masks, and this saying was not meant to offend them at all. Alas, these are the subtleties of the profession, and it is thanks to them that we see such an amazing game. But we will go a little further. The stage is such a system that takes a lot of energy, both physical and moral. Working with the public, the artist literally gives himself away, spends all his life potential. If he is, as they say, on stage himself, then all his life reserves will be exhausted instantly, and he simply has no strength left. In order to continue to create, play and work, it is worth carefully considering how to create a stage look that you can wear every time you go on stage. This is the so-called public mask, it is also the style and handwriting by which the actor is recognized. over itthe second mask will already be applied - a role in a particular performance.

Psychology and acting

Before creating a stage image for a particular production, the actor must have his own role. We have already mentioned above that it is part of the real image of a person, but not his integral essence. Psychologists work with many actors to ensure that their stage image is as harmonious as possible and suits them. In short, we can say that to create it, it is as if the strengths of a person’s character, his features and zest are selected, and they are exaggerated, intensified, made more vivid. As a result, we get, as it were, an ideal person who has his own character, his own tastes and views - everything is individual, but at the same time there are no dark sides, no errors. This is the stage image of the actor, based on which he tries on all his roles that he needs to play on stage.

Emotions are the basis of success

The basis and foundation for creating the stage image of an actor are his own emotions. If your role is far-fetched, unnatural for you, or you try to "drive" it into fashionable frames, then all subsequent roles will be played insipidly, unnaturally, feignedly. It is extremely important in such work to draw strength from emotions, to draw from your own nature. So you will be able to demonstrate this or that character to the audience without deception, enter it, convey its emotions andexperiences. He will come to life through such a game and become a separate person.

Comfort doesn't mean natural

Of course, your stage image should be completely woven from your personal emotions and experiences, from experience and developments. But we have already said above that it should not contain negativity and negative traits that you have in real life. And this is the very first stumbling block that deprives you of a sense of comfort. You have no right to show your shortcomings: it is important to keep the brand, to be who you are to the public, and not in reality. The same applies to all movements, postures, facial expressions, intonation, etc. These moments are carefully worked out, rehearsed, honed to automatism, but keep in mind that when playing on stage or communicating with the public, you will be in constant tension, since all these developments will need to be endured unquestioningly.

You can compare this technique with posing in front of the camera. To make the shot extremely successful and at the same time natural, the model freezes in a very uncomfortable position. For example, the famous pin-up photographs, where women do their homework, becoming in seductive poses. But in reality, cleaning will not work in this position.

For specific roles

After you have learned to behave, speak, move in accordance with the task, you can proceed to the rehearsal of a specific role. In order for it to turn out natural and lively, all the same rules that we described above apply. the onlycorrection: you need to match your personal stage persona with the character you intend to embody. In other words, the role described in the script is an empty vessel that you fill with your emotions, your facial expressions, your appearance. If you do not have a personal permanent image to work on stage, then not a single role performed by you will become alive and real. You can cry or laugh on behalf of the hero, dance, rejoice or rage. But all this will be in vain: there is no content. This is the very concept of a role, the concept of a character. It comes to life only under the direction of the artist, only from his personal experience and from his personal character.

Working with the troupe

We won't talk nonsense like "a good actor can handle any role" now. It's not, and there's nothing wrong with that. And the thing is that even the most talented, the most gifted artist has his own special image, his own voice, his individual appearance, age, in the end, and these factors either allow you to perform a specific role or prohibit it. A good screenwriter always sees this or that actor in a particular role. He can compare the stage image of the artist and the role that he will need to "put on". Additional correction of this process is carried out by the actors themselves. They either accept roles if they see that they are suitable for them, or refuse if something does not suit them.

Components of the image

If we are talking aboutstage image that the actor creates personally for himself, then there can be no strict restrictions in clothing, makeup. These moments are simply adjusted by the frames of a certain style. But if we are talking about the image that is already obtained as a result of the fusion of the talent of the actor and the character that is described in the script, then it is important to note several components. These include:

• Behavior and appearance.
• Makeup.
• The stage image of the costume, that is, the attire that is written in the script. There is a small caveat here. If the performance is based on a play, and the work clearly states what the hero is wearing, it is important to follow this. If there are no such descriptions, the costume is selected in accordance with the character's character.
• Dynamics of the body and plasticity.
• Gestures.
• Mimicry.
• Zest. Here we have a caveat again. It happens that in a play a character is described insipidly, there is nothing special about him. Perhaps it was intended that way, or the author failed to give certain features to a particular hero. In such cases, the very stage image that the actor always carries with him is necessary. It fills the void that exists in the hero, makes it more voluminous and multifaceted, memorable and unique.

Conclusion

Creating a stage image is a very delicate matter. That is why we have so few really talented actors, and few people are able to play this or that role beautifully, brightly and with feeling. Think carefully about your image, use it, make it open, andthen all the roles will turn out to be alive, multifaceted and memorable.