2. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
The Onstage Manifestation (or Onstage
Manifestation of Goals) is a powerful thing
in theatre: it is the secret that a lot of
people in Hollywood haven’t figured out yet.
It adds Dramatic Value to a Character Goal
It lets the audience know what they’re
waiting for.
3. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
We will look at it through Kid Rock’s
“Cowboy”
If you have a copy of the song, listen
to it now, otherwise you can follow
this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPOQE_LUESs
6. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
A ‘cowboy’ changes, depending on
who you talk to.
It doesn’t have one meaning.
It can mean the kind of clothes you
wear, it could mean a southern
drawl, it could mean you come from
an area, it could mean that you
wrestle cattle.
9. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
Kid Rock’s definition of Cowboy:
You live ‘out west’
Buy an old drop-top
Find a spot to pimp
Buy a yaght that says ‘pimpin the most’
Start an escort service (for all the right reasons)
Toast with the sun
Get tossed out of bars
10. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
How wonderfully specific is that?
If Kid Rock were a character in a
movie, we would know EXACTLY
what the cowboy lifestyle would
mean to him, and how we would
know that he got it.
11. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
And this is the power that the
playwright has.
The playwright takes something
as inangible as ‘true love’ and
puts a TANGIBLE definition to
it, so the audience knows exactly
what it looks like.
12. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
All Onstage Manifestations need to be
about an Object or Task which can
only happen where the audience can
see it.
I used “Cowboy” as a generic example
for you to see how specific everything
needed to be (though it is probably
closer to ‘Character Goal’)
13. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
All characters have a goal, and the
Onstage Manifestation is how the
audience knows they have achieved
that goal.
That object or task can be something
as simple as ‘pouring milk for
cereal’, ‘petting a dog’, or an
engagement ring.
14. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
POURING MILK FOR CEREAL
I refuse to eat the last bowl of cereal.
I can’t do it. Two months ago, I was
sitting at my kitchen table, waiting for
my mom to come in and get my
breakfast ready before I went to
school, and she never came
downstairs.
15. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
POURING MILK FOR CEREAL
She had a heart attack in the bathroom, and
the doctors couldn’t save her.
She died.
So that box of cereal was what she was on
her way to pour before she died. If I pour
that box of cereal, it will be like she’s really
gone, and I can’t do that.
16. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
It is only through negotations and
character goal will the object/task
become something more than what it
is.
17. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
POURING CEREAL
If you watch this scenerio, and I pour
the cereal. What does that mean?
Not that I’m hungry. You won’t think
that. That bowl of cereal has become
something MORE than food.
18. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
POURING CEREAL
That bowl of cereal is my dead
mother, and I can never, ever get over her.
So when you see me, onstage, pouring
that cereal, you know I am taking those
steps forward, and I will NEVER SAY THAT
I’M TAKING A STEP, you WILL KNOW IT.
19. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
On the Discussion Board:
Open “Onstage Manifestation”
And Post your definitions for the following:
HINT: Use nouns, not adjectives. Be like
Kid Rock.
20. Onstage Manifestation
Character
MODULE
ONE
Onstage
MODULE
Manifestation
TWO
• Onstage Manifestation
– Introduction
– Object
– Artistic Goal
– Assignment
Dramatic
MODULE
Question
THREE
Artistic
MODULE
Goal
FOUR
Perception
MODULE
Shift
FIVE
Open “Onstage Manifestation”
And Post your definitions for the following:
• Heaven
• Fear
• Love
• Sexy
• Late
