Lesson 1 - Exercise 2

We then moved on to experimenting with Steven Berkoff's theory of pushing characters to their extreme, using the scale of 1-10. We chose a normal every day task like 'eating.' We had to act out the realistic process of us eating a meal or type of food. Like if it was a banana, we had to imitate us peeling the banana before eating it. It was best for it to be short - the sequence, not the food - and something we could easily repeat for x amount of minutes. We did it normally first, that being 5 on the scale. 

When the teacher increased the number on the scale the actions got bigger. When he decreased them, the actions got smaller. This did get harder the further that the scale increased, which surprised me. When it reached a high 8 or 9, the food got bigger, your actions larger and your emotions towards the food were pushed to the extreme. I began just casually eating a banana but by number 3 on the scale, I almost imitated a minuscule mouse nipping at a piece of cheese.

Then we added a different layer to the exercise by having to greet someone, during eating our food and then eating it in their presence. We had to think about whether we liked this person, how we felt about them and how we'd react in their presence eg. Increasing speed because wanting to get away from them, eating sloppier because didn't care about them, eating neater because fancied them. 

When my extra person supposedly walked in, I stopped eating my meal to wave at them, but definitely not enthusiastically. I ate my banana really quickly with a look of sarcasm on my face, emphasising the fact that I did not like this person invading my space.

It was very interesting watching the different responses around the room. Some very clearly did not like the person, like me, and their actions reflected mine. Some thought highly of the extra person coming to join them, therefore would decrease the speed of their meal and chew more carefully, as not to spill anything and look like a fool. 

I thought this exercise was beneficial as it showed when you think you're acting at a 7 on the scale, you're probably only on a 4. To keep pushing your actions as a character shows new emotions, intentions and objectives.

Steven Berkoff taught me that really pushing  characters to their extreme really does teach you a lot about them.

Today was cool.