Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers, Third Edition

378 Pages·2004·0.65 MB·English

by  James Thomas

Script Analysis for Actors,
Directors, and Designers
James Thomas
ELSEVIER
Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers

S C R I P T A N A L Y S I S
for Actors, Directors, and Designers
THIRD EDITION
James Thomas
AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON
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For my respected colleagues at the Moscow Art Theatre School and for the
great director Anatoly Efros. Their inspiring examples make a life in the theatre
significant.
In fact it is the simplest things that are most tricky to do well.
To read, for example. To be able to read exactly what is
written without omitting anything that is written and at the
same time without adding anything of one’s own. To be able to
capture the exact context of the words one is reading. To be
able to read!
—Jean-Louis Barrault, Reflections on the Theatre

Contents
Preface to the Third Edition xi
Preface to the Second Edition xiii
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction xxi
What Is Formalist Script Analysis? xxi
The Expressiveness of Dramatic Writing xxxi
Analytical Reading xxxiii
Logical Thinking xxxv
1
CHAPTER
Action Analysis 1
Sequence of Events 2
Reviewing the Facts 5
Seed 6
Three Major Climaxes 12
Theme 18
Super-Objective 19
Through-Action 20
Counter Through-Action 22
Summary 23
Questions 23
Postscript 25
2
CHAPTER
Foundations of the Plot: Given Circumstances 27
Time 28
Place 35
vii
Society 41
Economics 48
Politics and Law 50
Intellect and Culture 51
Spirituality 52
The World of the Play 53
Summary 54
Questions 55
Postscript for Action Analysis 56
3
CHAPTER
Foundations of the Plot: Background Story 57
Technique 60
Identification 65
Summary 79
Questions 79
Postscript for Action Analysis 80
4
CHAPTER
Plot: External and Internal Action 81
External Action 82
Internal Action 98
Summary 114
Questions 115
Postscript for Action Analysis 115
5
CHAPTER
Plot: Progressions and Structure 117
Progressions 117
Structure 134
Summary 143
Questions 143
Postscript for Action Analysis 144
6
CHAPTER
Character 145
Objectives 146
Qualities 149
Role Conflicts 150
Conflicts of Objectives 153
Willpower 154
Values 158
viii Contents
Personality Traits 162
Complexity 165
Relationships 166
Summary 168
Questions 169
Postscript for Action Analysis 170
Postscript for the Score of a Role 170
7
CHAPTER
Idea 175
Idea in the Words 177
Idea in the Characters 186
Idea in the Plot 189
The Main Idea 194
Summary 198
Questions 198
Postscript for Action Analysis 199
8
CHAPTER
Dialogue 201
Words 202
Sentences 205
Speeches 211
Special Qualities 219
Theatricality 226
Summary 236
Questions 237
9
CHAPTER
Tempo, Rhythm, and Mood 239
Tempo 240
Rhythm 255
Mood 260
Summary 263
Questions 264
10
CHAPTER
The Style of the Play 265
Given Circumstances 266
Background Story 271
Plot 275
Character 282
CONTENTS ix