"What is hidden beneth the lines. It is the job of the actor to explore the script, read between the lines and reveal the subtext, the truth, to the audience"
The following is a scene from a film. The provides an example of subtext. When the character in the scene wears the glasses, he is able to see what the adverts and newspapers mean. He can see through the mask of the pictures and words to reveal the black and white truth. He is also able to see through superficial, thin surface, to reveal the truth of the alien characters.
The actor reading a script, is like the character (Played by an actor/wrestler) in the film. The glasses are those of the perception of character. The actor reads the script to reveal the language of the character, the meaning of the words in the script. Sometimes, we are able to create subtext from the given circumstances, the details of the character and their reality. We may connect the dots and see patterns in logic that provides an inkling into the characters inner world. IN a script such as Pinters, that actors imagination and experience plays a greater role. There are few clues in the plays, particulary 'The Revue Sketches', which in turn provides greater importance and meaning to the few clues given to the actor. In a plays such as those of Pinter, a colour, a name, a hobby is more important than in a detailed script. The reference means that this detail is essential for the character. A colour can be meaningless, but it may have an entire back story to it.
When we understand the character and are able to percieve things through the characters perspective, we have created the glasses of the character. Now, when we read the script, it looks different. THis is the point, understanding and empahsing with the character CREATES the subtext. As more subtext is revealed, so is more of the character, world and the meaning of the true meaning of the word sin the script. As we continue to read, this can yet reveal additonal information. At this point it is hard to differentiate if the subtext has formed from the information of the script, or from the actors imagination through creation of character. Is that what the writer meant, or is this the work of the actors imagination?
Subtext could be as simple as saying something, but implying, or meaning something else. From my limited experience as an actor, I come to understand subtext as an indirect expression of my feelings or thoughts. My thoughts may be, "this person is a complete idiot", or "I hate this person". I do not say that directly, but I say the words with the feelings that are created from understanding of the story and character. How would my character react? In 'Black and White' my character says, "you can go along and come back later". Even the words seems like an offer, its actually a rejection, at least from how I read it. Therefore, when the words, I saw them with disdain or turn away from the other character. The legendary acting coach, Stella Adler once said "you don't act from the words, you act from the soul". When you are playing a character, you don't pretend to be them, you must create their soul within you. The words you say, are just words. My job as an actor, is to interpret the words and the given circumstances and to then embody the life, the story, the person, the soul of the character I have created from the given circumstances of the play. I must say the words, from the perspective of the character. I must react to what the other actors say, internally and then I don't speak my mind as in Melodrama, I imply it from the characters perspective. Its not just tone and body language, its real internal feelings expressed. If you are actually upset, its noticeable. It will come out in the performance, you don't even have to 'act'. The work has done during the creation of the character.. If you are pretending to be upset, its not naturalistic acting. Even if it looks realistic, its merely presentational. This does not subtext to be displayed through the character, only words being expressed in a certain way. When I speak, my characters emotions must be expressed, not my own feelings, my characters feelings. For example, I am playing the character Piffs within the 'Applicant' play. I may say words like Jolly Good, but say it in a way that is sinister as my character. The written words are mostly unthreatening, but I may imply something bad is about to happen or vice versa. I torture the other character, I offer electrodes and painful earphones. I know they are torture tools, but I imply the procedure is perfectly safe. Its like sticking gun in someone's face and saying 'don't worry about it'. Its the subtext, the back story, character traits, personality. They create the subtext that builds the character inside the actor, allows actor to empathise with the character and therefore, display genuine emotions and reactions.
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