Script Analysis, Chapter 1

Script Analysis, Chapter 1

Script Analysis, For actors, Directors, and Deigners

Fifth Edition

James Thomas

Chapter 1 notes

Thinking Eventfully

Think of overall importance to play,
Think what would happen, if removed from play entirely. Consequences?

Chain of Events
A quick, listing of the major events of a play, in a single phrase
In chronological order
often coincides with Scenes
Not meant to be exhaustive or complete
Firsts and lasts important

Reviewing Facts
Consider the motives, and circumstances of each character
Ignore other performer's prior works

Seed
The dramatic esence of the play
To be what each scene of the play is built around
Often a philosophical statement, or moral commentary
connects each scene in the play

Chain of Internal Events
for every External event, in the chain, an Internal event occurs, that modifies the central character
This internal event, should resonate with the play's seed

Three major Climaxes
First character's growth
Second character's hardship
Third resolution of the reality presented
Beginnig middle and end, each have a major climax
Gives the play a sense of forward motion

Theme
The play's RESPONSE to the SEED
shows what the play resolves about the SEED

Super Objective
The objective, or goal of the protagonist, that pushes the play forward

Through Action
A  sentence, that describes what the character does to traverse the plot, to achieve their super objective

Counter-Through Action
The opposing force to the protagonist’s goal, often led by the antagonist