Scene study is the art of analysing a scene and working out what you need to do to really bring

the script to life. It's one of the most fundamental skills any working actor needs and, like so
many things in this business, it's something you can learn if you're willing to put in the time and
effort.

Scene study involves actors taking a specific scene from a movie, television or

play and working on it in front of an acting instructor or a group of peers. The

goal is to receive specific constructive feedback that helps the actor improve

their craft and their abilities in specific roles. Scene Study is a way for actors to

continually work on their craft and discover their strengths and weaknesses. It’s

a great way to take all the exercises and techniques they have learned to create

characters, connect to the emotions of the part, and fight for what they need and

put them into a performance. Scene Study is a very important part of the actor’s

process because it makes the actor harness his or her skill set to create a

performance. Technique classes are where actors learn the exercises and build

up their foundational skills, Scene Study is where they put it all together.

WHAT SCENE STUDY IS NOT:

Scene Study is not a place to learn a foundational technique. Therefore, it is not

the best place for beginners. Scene Study is best for actors who already have

some training and some skills that they can bring to the performance of a scene.

We at EMAS get many students who joined a Scene Study class somewhere else

and felt they had no understanding of how to approach a role or scene. So they

came to our Beginning Technique classes or our Meisner Technique program to

learn those important steps first.

HOW SCENE STUDY BENEFITS ACTING SKILLS

Scene Study is a beneficial class because it allows for actors to explore different

writers, styles and genres of scripts. They learn how to craft the arc of the

scene, and they get to practice creating different characters. Timing, focus, and

taking direction are all part of a scene study. It teaches actor’s how to break

down a script into playable actions, as well as develops their dexterity to

approach different characters truthfully. It also helps them realize the

collaborative process between actors and directors and coaches. The actor

learns the nuances of the director’s scope of the direction of a plot. The

experience of scene study helps the actor perform their roles with a keen

awareness of the intent of the director. It is also important for an actor to get

comfortable putting up a “finished product”. So to speak and Scene Study can

help them get there.

TIPS ON DOING A SCENE STUDY

Scene Study is a chance to take risks in an actor’s work and develop characters

and scenes they may not be asked to play in the professional world. Taking risks

includes working on weaknesses as well as strengths. You should be working in

class every week, so you do not get rusty. Work on a range of writing styles from

comedy to drama, from Aaron Sorkin to Tenessee Williams. Even style pieces are

important these days (Shakespeare, Restoration Comedy etc.) as more and more

TV shows and movies are taking place in another time period. Find out what you

do well and what you need to continue to work on. Find a teacher who you trust.

Work with them over time. It takes a while for an instructor to really learn how
you work. Give them at least 3 months to learn how to help you grow as an actor.

Work with committed actors who are willing to rehearse and put in the work.

CONCLUSION – SCENE STUDY

Scene study is a great way to keep acquired skills sharp and even learn new

ways to approach a part. It is the best way to stay on the top of your skill set so

that you are at your best for that big audition!

How you do a scene study

Silent performance: Act out a scene using only body language such as gestures, movements,
and facial expressions. Think about the ways that you imbue your character with the physicality
of their emotions and what that might mean for your next verbal take on the scene.
Why it is important
Scene Study is a beneficial class because it allows for actors to explore different writers, styles
and genres of scripts. They learn how to craft the arc of the scene, and they get to practice
creating different characters. Timing, focus, and taking direction are all part of a scene study.

What to look for when studying a scene

There are certain basic questions every actor should ask when they first read a new scene, but
effective scene study means going beyond the basics and really digging into the meat of what
is going on. As such, there are certain key things you should look for in any scene.

Themes – What is the script about (beside the obvious details of the plot)? What message or
ideas is it trying to get across? How does your character fit into that?
Circumstances – Where is the scene taking place? What time period is it? What significance
does this have for your character? How does it affect their behaviour?
Motivation – Why is your character in this scene? What are they trying to achieve? Why does
this matter to them? How do their actions advance (or fail to advance) their goals?
Relationships – How is your character connected to the other people in the scene? How do
they feel about each other? What do they want from each other?
These really are just the very basics, but they should start to give you an idea of what sort of
questions to ask about a scene. By working out these details and bringing them together, we
are ultimately looking to know one fundamental thing – exactly what emotions our
characters are feeling at any given moment.
Knowing the framework underpinning a scene and all the different things that are going on
means we can start to bring complexity and depth to our performances. Instead of just
knowing that, for example, a character is sad, we might realise that their sadness is tinged
with regret and a hint of black amusement because of other bits of contextual information we
have worked out.

This is what we mean by acting three dimensionally and it is absolutely essential for anyone
wanting to earn their keep as a professional actor.

Experimenting with scene study

Of course, with something as complicated and in depth as scene study, you shouldn’t expect
to get it right straight away. Even highly experienced actors need to experiment and try out
different ways of approaching a scene.

One thing to bear in mind is that, no matter how much you think you have “cracked” a scene,
it’s important to be open to what the other actors are doing. Ultimately your interpretations
have to mesh together to create an entire performance.

And never forget, the director’s word is final!

Benefits Of Scene Study

Scene study has many benefits. Scene Study allows the actor to:

– Develop their understanding of character dynamics

– Improve delivery of lines

– Working on developing objectives and actions that are specific to the given scene

-Helping feel more comfortable with improvisation

-Develop a better sense for how to play off of their scene partner.

Overall Scene Study is a great way for a student to get out of your head and start thinking and
reacting like your character would. Scene study classes usually involve a lot of rehearsal and
discussion, which can help a student to develop a better understanding of the scene and the
characters involved in it.

When doing a scene study, there are certain tips that can help you to get the most out of the experience.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
– Make sure that you are well-prepared before the class. This means reading the scene multiple times
and doing any necessary research on the characters, setting, and plot.

– Take your time in rehearsal. Explore different ways of delivering your lines and try out different choices
for your character.

– Be open to feedback from your classmates and instructor. This can be helpful in fine-tuning your
performance.

– Have fun! Scene study is a great way to explore your craft and to work on your acting chops. So enjoy
the process and don’t take yourself too seriously.

By following these tips, you can get the most out of your scene study class and develop your skills as an
actor.

Things To Look For In A Good Scene Study

Instructor
When looking for a good Scene Study instructor, it is important to consider the following factors:

– The instructor’s experience and training in Scene Study

– The instructor’s ability to provide constructive feedback

– The instructor’s ability to help students explore different ways of delivering their lines and trying
out different choices for their character

– The instructor’s ability to create a supportive and positive learning environment

-The instructor’s ability to adapt the Scene Study class to the needs of the students

By taking these factors into consideration, you can be sure to find an instructor who can help you to
improve your skills as an actor and get the most out of your Scene Study experience.

Scene study exercisesRole switching: Act out a scene with your

partner(s) one time, and then switch parts and act it out again.
Consider how the performance changed, what you discovered about
playing the other part, and any knowledge gaps that should be
addressed.

Emotional scene

Divide the scene you are working on into four sections. Give
each section a defined emotion. Don’t worry about making sure
it matches the dialogue, just come up with four different
emotions. You may even draw them out of a hat. Then play the
scene switching from emotion to emotion. How does the scene
change when a specific emotion is forced upon it?

Part switch

Play your scene but switch parts. What do you learn about the
other character? What do you learn about your character when
you see them played by another actor?

Action only

Do the scene without speaking. What happens? Is the blocking

easy or difficult to remember? Do you find yourself sitting in
the same spot for a long time? Does the blocking help tell the
story? Do this exercise in front of an audience. What does the
audience get out of the scene when they don’t have the
dialogue to rely on? How do your characters come across?

Game play

Play the scene, but instead of doing the blocking, play a game.
It has to be a game that doesn’t require a lot of talking (e.g.,
Plinko, Jenga, Snakes and Ladders). Stay in character and
keep the conflict and tension in the scene as you play. If you
end the scene before you end the game, just start back from
the beginning.
Back to back

Play the scene with the actors standing back to back. How
does the scene change without eye contact?