A Writer's Guide to Acting: Conflict and Motivation

After you determine where you are both geographically and emotionally in a scene and determine how you relate to the other characters, the next thing you must figure out is where the conflict is between you and them. Sometimes this will be painfully obvious. For instance, in a scene involving an argument between you and another character, the conflict is usually explained in the disagreement. The conflict is usually explained, but not always. One thing you will learn is that sometimes the most important idea in a scene isn't expressed in the words that are heard, but in the emotions that are behind the words. Sometimes these emotions are in conflict with the words in the script. Let's take this situation and build our components.

Let's say you've determined your relationship to the other character and, in this case, the conflict is made apparent during an argument. Simple enough scene to play, right? You just say the words and feel the emotions being expressed. But don't forget that first component. Remember how setting is the first brick in the foundation? Here's a good example. Even if your relationship to the other character is obvious and the conflict is expressed in the argument, is that all you need to know? How would you play the scene if it took place in your home? How would you play the scene differently if it took place inside a fancy and expensive restaurant? What if it took place during work? Think about it. Do you argue the same way in private as you do in public? Would you be as likely to lose control of your emotions if you were arguing in front of people you knew as if you were arguing in front of strangers? This is another easy example of how something seemingly as simple and unimportant as setting can define how you build a scene. Always remember, building one component upon another will deepen your characterization and enrich every scene.