Being dramatic

Read through the synopsis for episode 2, Being Popular. Notice the synopsis is written in the present tense, mostly in terms of action – what is happening – rather than what people are thinking or feeling.

Split the synopsis into scenes and focus on one or two scenes in your group.
Look for ways to play the underlying emotions and to be expressive. Don't "send up" the characters - just play them as they are written and the comedy will evolve.
Present your scenes as a play to the rest of the class in the correct running order.

Choose a scene and a character from the programme, and use the information under characters to improvise a scene with your group. Fill in the gaps in this sentence to help you understand the motivation of your character.

"In our chosen scene, my character, who is called .......... wants to ............ (persuade/ discover/ escape from?) another character called ................. to ....................................................... (do what?) but unfortunately ....................... (what?) gets in the way. Eventually, the outcome is that my character .................................................................. (does or says what?)".

Giving your character an obstacle or problem to overcome gives you the action in the scene.

Split up into pairs and give yourself a character role. Number yourselves "A" and "B". "A" is a news reporter who prepares some questions based on the events of episode 2.

A noisy party
A report of children bribing other children
A complaint that a man was seen threatening a boy with a wrench.

Interview the character about his/her behaviour at a particular point in the plot of the episode. Try to get the person to talk about their life so that you can "write a news story". When you have finished swap roles.

Choose one of the Being Eve cast who is the same gender (male or female) as you. From your reading of materials found in Behind the scenes make notes on the differences and similarities between your chosen actor and the character that person plays in Being Eve.

Character name:	Actor name:
Character likes:	Actor likes:
Character dislikes:	Actor dislikes:
Character history:	Actor history:
Character age:	Actor age:
Character hopes:	Actor hopes:
Character fears:	Actor fears:

In pairs, work in role as a television or magazine reporter and hot seat your partner as:

the actor or actress, for example, "So tell me, Fleur Saville, how did you get started in television?"
the character in the series, for example, "So tell me Eve why are you so interested in studying human behaviour?"

As the television or magazine reporter, find out what makes your actor or character tick. As the character or actor be prepared to answer questions based on what you know.

As a pair, give a feedback report to the class about what similarities and differences there are between your chosen actors and characters. Sum up your findings in your drama journal entry for the day under the headings of actor and character hot seating.

Student name	Character name	Actor name	Interview 1 Observation notes	Interview 2 Observation notes
1.
2.
3.