Before deciding on a character's scene objective, you must know the character's overall story Super-Objective, which is the one thing they will sacrifice everything for to get what they want.
1. What does the character want (more than anything) in this situation?
Before determining a character's Scene Objective, it's essential to understand what they desire most in the given situation. This desire should represent their primal story need, which is the overall Super-Objective. Identifying this core need provides a foundation for the character's actions and decisions, driving the story forward.
2. Look at the character's behavior. (What he/she does)
Observing the character's actions within the scene provides insight into their motivations and objectives. What the character does reveals their attempts to achieve their Scene Objective and fulfill their Super-Objective. Actions speak louder than words, and by examining behaviors, one can observe the character's determination or approach to overcoming obstacles.
3. Look at what the character talks about. (What he/she says)
Paying attention to what the character says offers clues about their desires, intentions, and emotional state. Dialogue can directly express the Scene Objective or indirectly reveal underlying motivations. Subtext within conversations often uncovers deeper layers of what the character truly wants, highlighting conflicts or internal struggles.
4. Look at what happens in the scene and how it ends.
Analyzing what happens in the scene and how it concludes can shed light on the character's success or failure in pursuing their Scene Objective. The outcome of each scene influences the character's subsequent decisions and trajectory. For instance, a character's failure might lead to a change in strategy, while success could bring new challenges or escalate the stakes.
5. A character's objective should create obstacles for the character.
A character's Scene Objective should present challenges and obstacles that they must overcome, driving conflict and tension within the scene. These obstacles heighten the stakes and create dramatic tension, which is essential for maintaining audience engagement and advancing the plot.
6. There should only be one main objective per character, per scene.
To maintain clarity and focus, each character should have one primary objective to pursue in a given scene. This ensures that their actions and interactions with other characters make overall story sense. A clear, singular objective helps streamline the story, making it easier for the audience to follow and for the actor to portray convincingly. Having a focused objective also allows actors to make stronger, more purposeful choices, creating a sharper emotional impact within the scene.
7. An objective should be an active choice (a verb) for an actor.
An effective objective should be an active choice or verb that the actor can express and pursue with a clear purpose. This enables the actor to engage fully with their character's motivations and drive the scene forward. Examples of active objectives include "to persuade," "to protect," or "to escape," providing a dynamic framework for performance.
8. Strong objectives help actors react to each other (not just say lines.)
Strong objectives not only drive the character's actions but also influence their reactions to other characters and events in the scene. Reacting authentically to the objectives of other characters strengthens the connections and chemistry between actors. This interactivity enhances the believability and depth of the scene and also creates more dynamic and emotionally charged interactions, making the scene feel more alive.
9. The simpler the objective, the easier an actor can play it.
Simplifying the character's objective makes it easier for the actor to understand and play convincingly. Clear, straightforward objectives help create focused and impactful performances. Complicated or ambiguous objectives can lead to confusion and diluted portrayals, whereas simple goals like "to win" or "to hide" provide a solid foundation for acting.
10. Actors should always play their objective in every scene.
Actors should consistently play their character's objective in every scene, ensuring continuity in their portrayal. Matching actions and choices with the character's goals helps the story flow better and reinforces character development. Consistency in objectives maintains the integrity of the character's journey and supports the overall story structure.
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Peter Marshall Excellent breakdown. I particularly agree with the idea that a character's objective should be simple, active, and playable. When objectives become too abstract, performances can lose focus, but clear objectives give actors something tangible to pursue and react to. The connection between scene objectives and the character's overall super-objective is especially important because it helps every scene contribute to the larger journey of the story. Thank you for sharing these insights.