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Acting and Performance Skills
Quick questions on Physical skills and movement explained: O-Level Drama performance
8short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the body as an instrument?Show answer
The body is the actor's other main instrument, alongside the voice, and it is always communicating. From the moment a performer is visible, their posture, movement and expression tell the audience who they are and how they feel, whether or not they are speaking. A skilled actor controls the body deliberately rather than moving as they would in ordinary life, making physical choices that fit the character and the intended effect. Because the body speaks continuously, physical skill is fundamental to performance.
What are the physical tools?Show answer
The body has a set of expressive tools. Posture is how the body is held - upright or hunched, open or closed. Gait is the way a character walks, its pace, weight and rhythm. Gesture is the movement of the hands, arms and head.
What is inconsistent physicality?Show answer
Changing a character's posture or walk at random breaks belief; keep a consistent physical signature.
What is telling, not showing, emotion?Show answer
Stating a feeling is weak; show change physically through shifts in posture, tension and energy.
What is choices too small to read?Show answer
Physical work must be visible from the seats; make choices bold enough to communicate to the whole audience.
What is q1?Show answer
Name five physical tools an actor can use. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how posture can reveal a character to an audience. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why the body is often more powerful than words for showing a change in emotion. [4 marks]