The key to pantomime is imagination The key to pantomime is imagination. In order for the audience to believe what you are doing, you must see it yourself. See the size, shape, color, texture, height, weight, and placement of each imaginary object you handle.

Developing a Pantomime- Some Guidelines 1. Decide how to begin your pantomime 2. Set your mental space in detail. Know how much space you will use, the location of the furniture, and the shape, weight, and position of every imaginary prop you will be using. Must remember not to break the illusion by shifting an object without clear motivation and action. 3. Visual the appearance and mental state of your character in minute detail. 4. Imagine yourself dressed as the character. Make the audience see the weight, shape, and material of each garment. 5. Remember the motivated sequence. The thought comes first; think, see, and feel before you move. 6. Keep actions clear and simple 7. Always have a key action early in the pantomime that establishes who you are and what you are doing. Don’t make it a guessing game.

Developing a Pantomime Continued 8. Keep every movement and expression visible to the audience to your entire audience at all times. Place imaginary tables, shelves, and props as you can in front of you so that you can face the audience. (Will talk about placement more with ground plans) 9. Never make a movement or gesture without a reason. 10. Practice and analyze every movement and gesture until you are satisfied that it is the most truthful, effective, and direct means of expressing your idea or feeling. 11. Make only one gesture or movement at a time, but coordinate your entire body with it, and focus the attention of the audience on it 12.Rehearse until you are sure that you have created a clear characterization and that the action began definitely remained clear throughout and came to a conclusion. 13.Plan your introduction carefully. It may humorous or serious, but it must arouse interest in your character and the situation. Must also establish essential details of the set. 14. Plan the ending carefully. Leave the stage in character.

Mime a special art form, offspring of pantomime, both performer and art are called mime, highly abstract and stylized

Mime Vs. Pantomime Mime= more exaggerated and abstract, goes beyond reality Pantomime= more realistic

Conventional Mime Actions Mime Walks Rope Pulls Ladder Climb Climbing up and down stairs

Mime Makeup and Costumes Makeup- white to neutralize face; details mostly around eyes and mouth because they show the most expression Costumes- Vary by performer; most important aspect is flexibility

Mime Body Movements - Inclination: bending of the body at the front, side, or rear - Rotation: turning or pivoting part of the body such as head or chest - Isolation: separates part of the body for individual development and expression

Mime Example - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-fJC5EN8LY – watch for exaggeration of movement and use of the mime movements we covered -

3 Major Pantomime Skills Throwing and Catching Putting on and Taking off clothing items Opening and Closing windows and doors

Silent Movie Pretend you are like Charlie Chaplin, acting in a silent film :) Each group will receive a location. They must create a silent scene in this location. The scene must have a clear main activity, clear character relationships, and a complete story- beginning, middle, and end. Try to incorporate the three skills.

Answer These Questions!! 1. What is mime? 2. What is the difference between pantomime and mime? 3. What are the three body motions that mimes use the most? 4. What is necessary for pantomime to be believable? 5. What are three big pantomime skills on which we focused today?