Mime - Level 1
In this level, you will explore different mime techniques and how to make your mime work more believable! The final challenge will be to create a mimed scene using all the skills you learn.
On your journey to tackle the Final Challenge and complete the Level, you will need to earn 1 Power Up and gain 3 Experience Points along the way.
In this level, you will:
- Power Up by learning about facial expressions in mime
- Gain Experience by experimenting with different walks
- Gain Experience by practicing establishing objects
- Gain Experience by exploring how to interact with mimed objects
- Take on the Final Challenge by creating and performing a mimed scene
This Level Up Challenge is based on a unit designed and developed by student Thespians.
POWER UP: Dive Deeper into Facial Expressions
To earn this first power up, you will need to learn about facial expressions in mime. First, watch this video (source: The Orgonian) that explains the seven universal micro-expressions. Practice these facial expressions in a mirror.
TO POWER UP: Play emotion charades by portraying each of the emotions from the video, and asking a friend or learning buddy to guess which emotion you are portraying.
NOTE: If you would like some extra practice portraying these emotions, watch this video (source: Shreya TV) and/or this video (source: Elissa Weinzimmer) that offer exercises for stretching your facial muscles.
GAIN EXPERIENCE: Characterizing a Walk
Now that you've explored facial expressions, you will learn about movement in mime and experiment with walking different ways for different characters.
To see an actor exploring different kinds of character movement and walks, watch these two videos - Part 1 and Part 2 - from The Mime Lessons. Experiment with some different characters and walks.
TO GAIN EXPERIENCE: Create a character and walk, then perform a scene with that character (similar to those in the videos), keeping your walk the same throughout the entire scene.
GAIN EXPERIENCE: Establishing Objects
Now that you've learned about facial expressions and establishing a character walk, you are ready to learn about establishing mime objects of varying weights. Watch this video (source: The Mime Lessons) to explore creating objects and picking them up.
TO GAIN EXPEREINCE: Create a heavy and light mime object, then perform a scene using those objects, keeping each of them the same weight, shape, and size throughout the entire scene (unless their physical properties are changed by the miming character, such as by taking objects out of a bag).
GAIN EXPERIENCE: Interacting with Objects
In the last activity, you started to see how a mime might interact with objects on surfaces (ex: counters, tables, etc.). Now that you've discovered how to establish objects, you will continue to learn how to interact with more complex objects, such as doors. Watch this video to see how a mime might open a door (source: ExpertVillage Leaf Group)
TO GAIN EXPERIENCE: Perform a scene that makes use of doors and objects left on other surfaces, interacting with them throughout the scene. Make sure that the objects retain the same physical properties (weight, size, shape, height, etc.) through the scene.
FINAL CHALLENGE: Put It All Together
During this journey, you powered up by diving deeper into understanding facial expressions. You also gained experience by characterizing a mime walk, establishing mimed objects, and interacting with those objects. Now, using the power up and experience points you gained along the way, you are ready take on the final challenge of putting it all together.
TO COMPLETE THE FINAL CHALLENGE: Create and perform a scene using all of the skills you have learned in this Level: expressions, movements, object creation, and object interaction. Remember to keep your character’s properties (such as their walk) and the properties of mimed objects (weight, size, shape, height, etc.) consistent throughout the scene. You can choose to film your scene, or perform it for family, friends, or a learning buddy.