A character has a history, an education, a language, a story. These will determine the outcome of the situation. When put into the position where the various characters are constricted to a particular situation, the script is the natural outcome.
When we read the script, we need to spend reading the script passively and through the eyes of the character. We need to read the script to find details, given circumstances, references to the characters nature. To need to remember the words naturally, to take to take them to heart. It needs to become automatic, we instantly react as if we have the words for the 1st time. If we are thinking, we lose the connection to the heart space. This is why rehearsal and practice are fundamental to finding the ability to act representationally. The more we read the script and rehearse, the closer we come to taking the script to heart.
By reading in character, this is where we find most of the hidden information, the subtext of the script. It doesn't really exist, the character decides what the script means. There will be subtle clues within the script but until the characters and back story is created the script is meaningless.
When studying the script, the focus should not be on learning just the words, but learning and understanding the characters and the universe they exist within. Once you have studied the character you can learn to to become the person who says the words in the script and express the words naturally. You can only express the words in the script once you understand what the words mean through the characters perception. The script may appear to be in English (or whichever primary language is used), the words are English words that most English speaking people would understand. However, the words in the script are actually the characters language. They are almost a foreign language as they may mean something completely different to the character. For example, there is general English and then Scientific, Technical or Legal English. They will use similar words, but the meaning is different in each field. I have personal words or statements that I may say, such as “I want this done today”, but this doesn't mean within this day, or within 24 hours, it means 'immediately' or 'as soon as possible'. If I say 'tomorrow', it could mean “never”. Without understanding me as a person or the context of the situation, it could be difficult to interpret my meaning. By studying and developing the character, the words in the script, begin to take on new meaning. The language, emotions and natural reactions develop from the understanding of the script from the characters perception. I can only interpret the words of the script once I have developed the character. The words and sentences become changed by the new characters perspective. I am no longer reacting from my original interpretation. I am not just the saying the words. I know what the words mean and what emotions are connected to what is said, because my character translates them for me. When we reach this point, where we interpret the script differently, we see new information that is unwritten (subtext). “Oh isn't it?” as a question of curiosity can become “oh..... isn't it?”, meaning 'you're wrong' or 'enlighten me with your vastly superior intellect....' "Oh.....Isn't....It "could imply that infact it actually is.
When another character says something, the reaction will change depending on the character. Different characters will react to and interpret the statements differently. When we reach the point where we react to the other characters and interpretation of the script differently, based on our developed characters, we are reaching a stage where we are beginning to act naturalistic and representative of the character. We have lost ourselves, our own ego and put in place the character programme. Only once we have explored the character and within ourselves, can we truthfull express the emotions and feelings of the character.
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