ABSTRACT
The writing exercise focuses on finding the depth and variety of a character's experience at a specific moment in the scene. Some work on a role is horizontal in nature, some is vertical. Horizontal work looks at the narrative line of the play, the character's through-line of action, the drive and shape of a scene. Vertical work focuses on a short moment of the play or on the depth of a character, looking at player's hidden inner self, her memories, private thoughts, beliefs and world-view; this is what the writing exercise achieves. A way of giving value to the obstacle faced by a character is to play the christmas day game. When playing an imagined character, it is useful to examine three aspects within the character such as material, social and spiritual aspects. The chapter discusses Stanislavsky's advice: In work one must always start from oneself, from one's own natural quality and then continue according to the laws of creativity.
