Animal Images
Game
Intermediate
20 min
4–10
Description
This exercise focuses on embodying animal traits to enhance physicality and character development. Participants will observe animals and then translate those movements and sounds into human behavior, creating unique characters and scenarios.
Players will start by selecting an animal, enhancing their understanding of its physical and vocal characteristics. They will then move as their chosen animal while being coached to integrate these traits into their human forms.
First player will completely mimic their chosen animal. Then transform into human, but keeping animal traits alive.
First player will completely mimic their chosen animal. Then transform into human, but keeping animal traits alive.
Setup Requirements
Space to move around freely, such as a stage or workshop area.
Point of Concentration
Incorporate animal rhythms, sounds, and characteristics into human actions.
Side Coaching
- Reshape your forehead! The nose! The jaw!
- Concentrate on the spine and tail!
- As you move, give the sound of your animal!
- When becoming human, maintain your animal qualities and rhythms!
Points of Observation
- Watch if actors lose their animal qualities when standing upright.
- Ensure they sound human but with animalistic traits.
- Set up situations swiftly to keep the flow of the exercise.
Evaluation
- What animal traits did you enjoy embodying?
- How did it feel to blend animal sounds with human dialogue?
- What challenges did you face in maintaining animal characteristics?
Examples
- The parrot became a talkative and repetitive assistant principal in a school office.
- The cat portrayed a shy student waiting for her turn.
- The hippo represented a concerned parent discussing his child's behavior. But is incredibly slow in everything she does.