terminology

Question 1

what are the dramatic elements

Answer 1

contrast
conflict
climax
space
sound
tension
mood
rhythm

Question 2

describe conflict

Answer 2

Conflict generally occurs when a character cannot achieve an objective due to an obstacle. Conflict may be shown in a variety of ways, for example through physical, verbal or psychological means.

Question 3

describe contrast

Answer 3

Contrast presents the dissimilar, or opposite, in order to highlight or emphasise difference. Contrast may be explored in many ways and may include contrasting characters, settings, times, themes, elements, production areas and performance styles.

Question 4

describe climax

Answer 4

Climax is the most significant moment of tension or conflict in a drama and often occurs towards the end of the plot. The action of a drama usually unravels after the climax has transpired but the work might finish with a climactic moment.

Question 5

describe space

Answer 5

Space involves the way the performance area is used to communicate meaning, to define settings, to represent status and to create actor–audience relationships. This may be achieved through the use of levels, proximity and depth.

Question 6

describe sound

Answer 6

Sound is created live, by the actor, in the performance. Voice, body percussion and objects can be used individually or in combination to create sonic effects in performance and to enhance meaning. Sound may include silence or the deliberate absence of sound.

Question 7

describe tension

Answer 7

Tension is the suspense that holds an audience’s attention as a performance unfolds. The release of tension may have a comic or a dramatic effect.

Question 8

describe mood

Answer 8

Mood is the overall feeling or emotion that a performance may evoke. This may be achieved through manipulation of acting, conventions or production areas.

Question 9

describe rhythm

Answer 9

Rhythm is a regular pattern of words, sounds or actions. Performances have their own rhythm that may be influenced by the emotional nature of the plot, the pace of line delivery, the dialogue, the pace of scene transitions and the length of scenes.

Question 10

what are the different conventions in drama

Answer 10

• transformation of character, time, and place
• application of symbol

Question 11

describe application of symbol

Answer 11

Application of symbol allows actors to communicate ideas and themes through action, gesture, language, vocal or facial expression, objects , costume, set pieces or heightened movement.

Question 12

what are some other conventions

Answer 12

Caricature
Heightened use of language
Exaggerated movement
Satire
Song
Stillness and silence
Pathos
Use of fact

Question 13

what are the different expressive skills and give examples

Answer 13

• Voice; diction, pitch, pace, tone, resonance, muscularity and vocal sounds
• Movement; gait, posture and stance
• Gesture; using the body or body parts, usually the hands, to create symbols and meaning.
• Facial expression; manipulating facial expressions to communicate emotions, reactions and meaning.

Question 14

what are the different performance skills

Answer 14

focus
timing
energy
actor-audience relationship

Question 15

describe focus

Answer 15

Focus is often used interchangeably with the terms concentration and engagement, assisting the performer in the portrayal of believable characters. This includes the memorization of lines and channeling all the performers energy into the goals of the character of the scene

Question 16

describe timing

Answer 16

Timing in performance refers to dramatic timing of movements and gestures. Timing can be manipulated to create contrast in a scene or simply to demonstrate robotic, stylised and non-naturalistic movements.

Question 17

describe energy

Answer 17

The intensity an actor brings to a performance. At different times an actor might use different levels of energy to create different dynamics.

Question 18

describe actor-audience relationships

Answer 18

The way in which an actor deliberately manipulates the audience’s emotions, moods and responses to the action. This can be done through placement of the performer in relation to the audience, the way the actor addresses and engages the audience, and the emotional and intellectual response to the character’s situation.

Question 19

what are the playmaking techniques

Answer 19

researching
brainstorming
improvising
scripting
editing
rehearsing
refining