Pantomime Principles
This "Universal Language" is the art of acting through gesture and movement without the use of words or actual props.
What is Pantomime?
Because you cannot speak, your facial expressions and reactions must be larger than in real life, a technique known as this.
What is Exaggeration?
A frozen picture that tells a story.
What is a Tableau?
This level often represents power, victory, or authority.
What is High?
The dome-shaped muscle at the base of your lungs that acts as the "engine" for your voice.
What is the Diaphragm?
To make an object look real, your hands must stay the same distance apart so the object doesn't appear to shrink or grow.
What are Shape and Size?
An actor must look at an object before they touch it to "prime" the audience; this is known as...
What is Eye Focus?
This pillar requires that not a single muscle moves—not even a blink or a wobble.
What is Stillness?
This rule states that if your face feels normal, it is too small; it should feel "ridiculous."
What is the 150% Rule?
The ability to make your voice loud and clear for the back row without straining your throat.
What is Projection?
Once you put an imaginary object down, it must stay in that exact spot so you don’t accidentally walk through it.
What is Placement?
Every beginner skit should follow this "path," consisting of a beginning, a middle (problem), and an end.
What is the Story Path?
This pillar ensures no talking, giggling, or sound effects break the illusion.
What is Silence?
This level often represents weakness, defeat, or being lower in status.
What is Low?
This is the term for the clarity of your speech, specifically how clearly you say your consonants.
What is Diction (or Enunciation)?
[DAILY DOUBLE] You show how much effort a task takes by using this—leaning or pulling against an imaginary force.
What is Weight and Resistance?
Using your body to show the environment (weather or furniture) before the main story begins.
What is the Invisible Set?
Using different physical heights to make the picture visually interesting.
What are Levels?
To show clear emotion, an actor must move these "Three Zones" of the face simultaneously.
What are the Brows, Eyes, and Mouth?
In acting, you want your stomach to move out when you inhale, a technique known as this.
What is Belly Breathing?
This is a tiny, sharp movement made the exact second your hand touches an imaginary object.
What is The Click (or Point Fixe)?
When working with others, you must both agree on the location of objects so you don't walk through each other's props.
What is Partner Agreement?
These are the four specific pillars a Tableau needs to be considered "stage-ready."
What are Stillness, Silence, Levels, and Facial Expressions?
This level usually represents the "average person" or acts as a "connector" between characters.
What is Medium?
This projection technique involves imagining your voice is a ball and "throwing" it to a specific person at the back of the room.
What is the Target Method?