A superobjective is a central goal or driving force that guides a character's actions throughout a performance or play. It encompasses the character's overarching desires and motivations, often transcending individual scenes or moments, and serves as a critical element in the Stanislavski System, emphasizing the importance of understanding character psychology in acting.
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The superobjective is fundamental to creating a believable and cohesive character arc, providing clarity and depth to an actor's performance.
Stanislavski believed that understanding a character's superobjective allows actors to make informed choices about their actions and reactions on stage.
The concept of superobjective encourages actors to think beyond individual scenes, fostering a continuous journey for their characters throughout the entire narrative.
Different characters in the same play can have contrasting superobjectives, leading to complex interactions and dramatic tension within the story.
In practice, actors often break down their superobjectives into smaller objectives that can be achieved in specific scenes while remaining aligned with the overarching goal.
Review Questions
How does the concept of superobjective enhance an actor's understanding of their character?
The superobjective enhances an actor's understanding by providing a clear, overarching goal that informs every action and decision the character makes. It helps actors see beyond individual scenes and connects their performances across the entire narrative. By focusing on this central motivation, actors can create more coherent and dynamic portrayals that resonate with audiences.
In what ways do objectives relate to the superobjective in the context of character development?
Objectives are specific goals that characters aim to achieve within individual scenes, while the superobjective is the larger, continuous motivation guiding those actions throughout the play. Each objective contributes to advancing the superobjective, creating a chain of intentions that deepen character development. This relationship allows for a more nuanced performance, as actors can explore how each scene's objectives align with their character's ultimate desires.
Evaluate the significance of superobjective in differentiating characters and creating dramatic conflict within a play.
The superobjective is significant in differentiating characters because it allows each one to pursue unique goals that can clash with others, leading to rich dramatic conflict. Characters with opposing superobjectives drive tension in the narrative, as their interactions highlight differing motivations and desires. This complexity enriches the storytelling and engages audiences by creating stakes and emotional investment in the characters' journeys.
An objective is a specific goal that a character aims to achieve in a given scene, which contributes to the larger superobjective.
Through Line of Action: The through line of action is the sequence of objectives and actions a character undertakes to fulfill their superobjective throughout the play.
Emotion Memory: Emotion memory refers to an acting technique where performers draw on their personal memories and emotions to create authentic feelings in their characters, supporting the pursuit of their superobjective.