Friday, November 19, 2010

Makeup for Theatre notes

  • We can use makeup to accentuate the facial characteristics, or to change a face entirely.
  • Makeup is needed for stage presence and visibility of expression.
  • Straight Makeup: when the character is similar to the actor (however, don't get too comfortable! There is always interpretation to be found in the script.
  • Character Makeup: when makeup is used to change an actor's characteristics.

Character Research (CONTEXT):
You must know when your play takes place to apply appropriate make up

Theatrical Makeup Characterization:
H.E.A.R.T.H.--a mneumonic for remembering the six elements of character analysis
  • Heredity: family background--parents facial characteristics
  • Environment: Financial standing, where the character lives, occupation
  • Age: Makeup can make a face look older or younger; and appropriate application
  • Race: To buy the right color, to enhance or hide any cultural features that do not fit the character, and to adhere to any cultural trends
  • Temperament: (a measure of someone's emotional status) Makeup can be used to show emotion.
  • Health: Sickness can affect appearance--whether it's the actor or the character (pale, wrinkled, dark under eye area).


Example of the power of perception, which can be enhanced with makeup:

These faces are identifcal except for the
eyebrows. What feelings do they exude?

Where can information about a character be found? (Hint: the same places an author uses characterization.
  • What a character says
  • What a character does
  • What other characters say about the character
  • What other characters do to the character
What is Physiognomy?
The practice of judging one's character by looking at the facial features.
  • large nose means forceful leader.
  • high, arched eyebrows can make someone look less than intelligent
  • young face/baby face means innocence
Physiognomy is based on human perception, not science.
Physiognomy has roots in Darwinism

One makeup rule to follow:
Rule without exception? Never apply a shadow without a highlight.

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