Monologue "A Lie of the Mind" Play Essay

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monologue "A Lie Of The Mind" play written Sam Shepard. monologue page "80." starts Frankie " Look- I make effort. Did ?." I u make ? essay outline:Take home test outline: Text: Audition Michael Shurtleff ( outline) Part 1.

A Lie of the Mind

Michael Shurtluff's guideposts are very important for all actors, regardless of their level of preparation. Through acting in accordance with these guideposts, one is likely to experience positive results while on scene. Most professional actors who come across these principles are very probable to acknowledge that they have developed a similar set of laws during their career. Although told from a general point-of-view, guideposts inform the actor regarding his or her priorities and instruct him or her in being able to have a good impact on the audience. One does not necessarily have to follow Shurtluff's guideposts literally, as he or she can interpret them or can attempt to apply them to their own set of rules (this being expected to personalize guideposts and make them even more effective).

I personally believe that following these guideposts can make one feel less hesitant about going on stage. Beginners will find that Shurtluff's set of advices is very helpful for someone who is not experienced in preparing himself of herself effectively when provided with a new script.

Part 2.

By applying Shurtleff's guideposts to Frankie's monologue an actor is likely to make a positive impression on the public that he or she is playing before. These four particular main ideas make it possible for the actor to undergo some of the most important phases before going on stage and while on stage. The relationship guidepost enables him to focus on the connection that exists between him and Baylor, Jake, and Mike, thus allowing him to be aware of the attitudes that he needs to adopt when faced with particular individuals. The conflict and the find the events guidepost helps him in using the monologue, his critical condition, and the circumstances that he is in with the purpose of appealing the public through inducing tension in viewers. Also, these two are also essential in helping the actor maintain a strong connection with actors playing Baylor and Mike, and by getting them actively involved in contributing to the scene in any way that they possibly can. The moments before guidepost assists Frankie's actor as he tries to employ diverse attitudes on stage and as he tries to prepare to get on stage.

I. Relationship

The Relationship guidepost in Michael Shurtleff's audition is meant to provide the person analyzing the monologue with more information regarding the protagonist's relationship and how it affects the person speaking. Shurtleff practically wants individuals to think about the protagonist's background with the person that he refers to. By focusing on this moment's environment and on all the events that led to this situation one is likely to gain a general understanding of the speaker's situation. Similarly, the analyst is also probable to comprehend more about the individual responsible for this situation, the reasons that influenced him in performing a particular act, and his position regarding the matter.

The actor practically needs to identify with the character in order to feel what he feels. He even has to consider how he would act if he were to be in the circumstances that the character is in, as this is likely to trigger strong feelings in the individuals and to eventually have him feel that he is going through real-life experiences. By focusing sufficiently on all characters and the relationship that his character has with them, the actor can have a better understanding of his position, especially considering that this enables him to look at the play from a subjective point-of-view.

One of the principal factors assisting the individual in being able to successfully identify with his character is the way that he feels about other characters in the plot. An actor needs to focus on the personality of his character and on the way that he would react to the nature of other characters in the play in order for him to be able to put across the exact message that the writer wanted to convey. The fact that they present people's attitudes as they interact is not necessarily what is important about relationships in regard to the play. A character can also relate to other characters by expressing his opinion regarding them and by providing the public with information regarding how he adapts his thinking to the behavior of other individuals.

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Considering that strong relationships can deteriorate as a result of certain events and that they can also strengthen as a consequence of unifying circumstances, the actor needs to understand when it is right for him to appreciate or to detest particular characters.

Frankie is a moral individual and in spite of the way that he was treated by Mike and Baylor he does not hesitate to put across his understanding regarding their approach. Whereas he expresses criticism concerning Baylor's refusal to feel sorry for mistaking him with a deer, he somewhat accepts Mike's position because he acknowledges the gravity of Jake's actions. Through understanding the strong relationship between Mike and Beth the actor is capable of seeing Mike's torture techniques as a means to channel his frustration regarding Jake.

Even with the fact that Baylor insists regarding his lack of interest in expressing any feelings related to guilt concerning his decision to shoot Frankie, the latter does not appear to be furious with this overall situation. Instead, he expresses lack of understanding concerning the immoral attitudes that people around him constantly adopt. One of the intriguing concepts about employing the relationship guidepost in analyzing Frankie's monologue is his determination to believe that all people have the ability to express moral beliefs. While Jake would be infuriated with the way that Baylor and Mike behave, Frankie prefers to use ethics as a method to address both of them.

Frankie's relationship with Baylor is certainly tensed, given that the latter shot the former and that he even relates to how there is nothing wrong with what he did. However, Frankie does not express anger concerning the way that Baylor behaves and simply puts across his difficulty to understand people. While he would normally have to focus on the circumstances that he is in, Frankie discusses his relationship with his brother, the character of his brother, and his general disappointment with the fact that Jake is still immature.

Frankie adopts typical behavior in his understanding of other people, given that he constantly sees himself as the normal individual in his relationship with others. He believes that he is not responsible for the problems that he experiences, especially considering his self-esteem. In spite of the fact that Frankie manages to behave ethically he constantly gets into trouble because of wanting to help his brothers and because of failing to see the fact that the individuals that he comes across blame him for their mistakes.

II. Conflict

The Conflict guidepost concentrates on the well-being of the speaker and on the actions that he can take in order to overcome this difficult moment. His main concern in this situation is to identify the attitude that he needs to employ in order to attain his goal in affecting listeners. Through performing physical actions one is likely to have success in influencing his peers.

Shurtleff believes that any actor needs to understand the reason why he is still present in the scene, with the conflict practically being the thing that motivates him in wanting to impose his perspective. The actor needs to look for the conflict in the scene and focus on turning it into a dramatic episode. Other characters are preventing him from putting across his point-of-view and thus encouraging him in being even more irritated concerning his position. The actor does not necessarily have to use negativistic feelings in trying to get other characters and the public to want to listen to him, as he can also make use of warm sentiments in convincing them that he is worth being listened to.

Even with the fact that one would normally need to focus on performing actions that are distinctive for the character that he is playing, Shurtleff apparently wants to emphasize the importance of doing anything in one's power in order to keep the action flowing. There are numerous techniques that one can use in keeping people's attention on his character and on the play as a whole. Many actors fail to put across effective acting because they limit themselves in performing certain actions.

Through concentrating on reinforcing the play's general flow one is likely to contribute to the effect that it has on audiences. The actor needs to identify with the character and abandon any kind of prejudice regarding the gravity of a conflict. Even when he considers that a normal person would exaggerate by using this much passion in a conflict, the actor needs to employ indifference….....

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Monologue "A Lie of the Mind" Play Essay

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