- Engage in pantomime activity where the box in front of me is invisible and I can pull anything out of it I can dream of.
- Notes on Pantomime
What is pantomime?
Pantomime is the art of acting and storytelling without words or sounds. It is an art that develops non-verbal communication using facial expression and body language to create elements of character, plot, space, and action.
Movement
Pay specific attention to the size, shape, resistance, and weight of any object that you incorporate into your pantomime. Isolate movement so that we see the effect of a specific action or gesture on each individual part of your body. Make sure that each section of your pantomime is part of a motivated sequence:
We experience stimulus (something happens)
We think about it
Our body responds to itCharacter
Create a strong character with definite personality traits and mannerisms. Let the character feel emotions and experience all sorts of moods.
Story
Create a simple story line that is easy to understand.
Rehearse and Revise
Pantomime takes a lot of practice to become perfect. Try a number of ideas and then use the ones that you feel comfortable with. Have other students or your teacher watch you perform, discuss what is not clear, and get suggestions on how it could be clearer. Once you think you have the basics down, rehearse it over and over until you are sure it is perfect. Then rehearse it again.
Limitations of Pantomime in Competition
If you wish to compete at Region and State Drama Tournaments with your pantomime you must conform to the following rules:
Pantomimes can have one or two people
Pantomime time limit is three to six minutes long
The only prop allowed in pantomime is one chair per person
Pantomimes must be silent – no talking, sounds, or music is allowed. - How?
Consistency – keeping objects the same size, in the same place, etc.
Exaggerated Resistance – define and make movements sharp and crisp, make every movement bigger than life
Exaggerated Facial Expression and Gestures – keeping expressions and gestures specific but bigger than life - Activity where each student attempts the randomly chosen simple activity to pantomime using the strategies above (ie shopping and paying for items)