Tip for Actors: Every Scene Needs Conflict

Actors, every scene needs conflict, even comedy. That’s what keeps the story moving forward—the characters are working towards resolving conflict.

A simple example is any action film. It is filled with constantly building conflicts. One problem leads to another problem, and then another problem, and then another one. And on and on, until the character completely wins or completely loses.

Any time you can bring out the conflict in a scene, the audience becomes riveted with a sense of what is going to happen next? How will this end?

 

Actors, here’s an exercise and a tool for analyzing conflict—

 

In each scene, look for two conflicts:

• What is the conflict of the plot?
• What is your character’s inner conflict?

 

Main plot conflict might be:

• Runaway Bride —> Will the bride run away this time?
• E.T. —> Will E.T. phone home and leave earth?

 

Now. Here’s something I said recently in class that I think articulates a great way to beautifully bring out the emotional tug of war, actors.

Try either (or both) of these thoughts:

 

I want to, but I can’t.

or

I don’t want to, but I have to.

 

The bride wants to get married, but is afraid to settle down. The bride doesn’t want to get married, but loves this person.

E.T. wants to go home, but can’t. And, E.T. doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of his friend, but has to leave earth to survive.

If you apply any part of this to ANY scene in the movie, the scene will be filled with wonderful tensions! Find what you want to do, but can’t. Find what you don’t want to do, but must.

Try this exercise on your next audition. Or, try it out with a scene in class. Layer different tools into your acting process, and you’ll keep growing as an actor!

 

Your coach & cheerleader,
xHeidi

 

 

Image: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) via Shotdeck