Obstacles

Definition

Obstacles in acting refer to the challenges or hindrances that characters face in pursuing their objectives. These obstacles are crucial as they create conflict and tension within a story, ultimately driving character development and plot progression. Understanding obstacles helps actors portray their characters' motivations and emotions authentically while also allowing for deeper exploration of subtext in performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Obstacles can be external, such as societal pressures or physical barriers, or internal, like personal fears and insecurities that characters must confront.
2. Actors use obstacles to develop their characters’ arcs, as overcoming challenges often leads to growth and transformation.
3. In performance, the way a character navigates obstacles can reveal layers of motivation and subtext, enriching the overall portrayal.
4. Identifying obstacles is key for actors when analyzing a script, as it helps to determine how characters interact with one another and react to their circumstances.
5. The presence of obstacles ensures that a story remains engaging for the audience, as they create stakes and urgency in the characters' journeys.

Review Questions

• How do obstacles influence a character's development throughout a story?
  • Obstacles play a significant role in shaping a character's development by forcing them to confront challenges that test their resolve and beliefs. As characters encounter and navigate these difficulties, they often undergo transformations that reveal new aspects of their personality and motivations. This journey not only enhances their depth but also keeps audiences invested in their growth and outcomes.
• In what ways do obstacles contribute to the overall conflict within a narrative?
  • Obstacles contribute to overall conflict by creating tension between a character's objectives and the challenges they face. These conflicts may arise from opposing forces, whether external circumstances or internal struggles, driving the narrative forward. The interplay between characters' goals and the obstacles in their path creates drama and interest, pushing the story toward its climax.
• Evaluate how an actor can effectively portray a character's response to obstacles in a performance.
  • An actor can effectively portray a character's response to obstacles by deeply understanding both the nature of those obstacles and their character's emotional state. This involves exploring how various challenges affect their motivations and decisions. By using body language, vocal tone, and facial expressions that reflect vulnerability or determination, an actor can convey the complexity of navigating through these hurdles, enhancing audience connection and engagement.

Related terms

Conflict:

Conflict is the struggle between opposing forces, often serving as the backbone of a narrative and highlighting the obstacles characters must overcome.

Objectives:

Objectives are the goals that characters strive to achieve, which are often complicated by the obstacles they encounter throughout the story.

Subtext:

Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or implications in dialogue and action, revealing the true intentions of a character despite what is explicitly stated.