Learn Best Technique To Analyze Script And Create A Character

Script analysis for actors

First of all, some actors don't approach script analysis at all, which is a huge mistake. Script analysis is the road map to your work. Actors make their acting choices from the knowledge given to them from script analysis.
To understand and create a right profile of the character you intend playing, and to have initial correct feelings, it's extremely important to read the entire script.

A great motto my Acting coaching is "Think before you act, so that you can act before you think."
The actors should have freedom on stage and on camera, to enable them to concern ourselves only with acting taking it as the truth of the moment, and shoild have fun! Analyzing the script creates a blueprint of clear choices of how to portray the character and play truthfully and instantly under the given circumstances in a scene.

To create an amazing character for an actor to play, here is an exquisite and artistic technique-

 1. A critical analysis of script (scene or screenplay)

A.The moment you get a script either for a film or only your lines for an audition, don't try to read it hurridly in your eagerness to know  what it is about. Many read it while walking or traveling or texting on cell phone. Don't do it because remember, first impression is important and gets imprinted in mind. That may take you in a wrong direction than what a writer exactly wants to convey to viewers- the objective of the story. For auditions, where you you have to prepare yourself quickly, find a quite place or go out or sit on the staircase or even in the toilet and prepare. Inform the concerned person coordinating auditions about your absence for few minutes.
B. Have patience. Read it with your free time and without any clouded thoughts. Read it again and again, at least 3 times or more for a clarity.

2. Now ask these questions to yourself and note down answers by analysing the script repeatedly

• What is the Plot? (what is the story about); The objective
• What is the Theme? (what is the message the story wants to communicate to the audience)
• What are the changes (Beat) in the script? In the beginning, middle and at the end? Beat changes are in a script smaller shifts / changes within the scenes where the characters may change their action, attitude, or topic of conversation.
• How  are the characters playing these changes. What are their 'Beats". Especially those of a character you intend portraying. ( A beat in acting terms is a change in how the character is reaching their objective in a scene. This could be a change in emotion, thought process, subject matter, or simply what the character is doing )
• What are the complications? (what is the conflict, drama in the story)
• What in the script is creating the tension (what will happen next) and how is it solved? 
• What is the conclusion? (how does the story end)
• Who is the protogonist? (the main character)
• Who is / are the antagonist/s? (could be one or more characters)
• Where does the story take place? (location, time and period etc)

Note: The questions and the answers as in above exercise, where ever applicable, should be done scene wise and shot wise especially in those, where your character is present

3 Character Analysis from The Script And How To Create "Your" Character

Though this will be done in detail in my sequenial next post, I'm giving below the key points of  creating a character

Based on your indepth analysis of the script

A. Create a physical, mental and social profile of the character
B. What is the character's objective in the script and then in each scene?
C  How the character achieves the objective? Identify character's actions (physical and mental responses or changes in 'beat' to varied situations)  for each scene, shot, even for each line.
This can also be based on asking yourself, “What does my character want to other people in the scene to do?” The answer that question is your character’s objective. How are you going to accomplish your objective? That’s what is important because that gives you an action, your response to play in each scene.
D. Based on this analysis and character creation, memorize your scenes or lines

Conclusion

• Remember that acting is a collective exercise and actors must also take a director’s opinion into account. Listen to what a director says and incorporate it into your character in an honest way, based on your own analysis of the script. 
• Your script breakdown will be a never-ending process. Each time you read the script, you find out something different about the story or the characters.
• The script will constantly evolve. It will change because of the your creative notes – writer changes – actor changes – producer changes – changes due to technical changes in a shot– location availability and on and on and on…
• If you are well prepared, can trully transform into your character and be yourself as well (due to technical reasons, especially when acting for camera), you can adjust to all the changes.