Where we explore the technique Chekhov called Archetypal Gestures (AG). It is exploring "why" the energy is expanding/contracting. If we imagine that expansion/contraction is the primary WHAT of energy's movement patterns, and Qualities of Movement are the HOW that energy moves, then the AG's are WHY energy expands and contracts. For example, the energy expands to push or contracts to pull. There are 10 basic AG's: pull, pull, lift, smash, gather, throw, penetrate, tear, drag and reach. The first six are considered primary AG's and the last four are secondary AG's. It is a list based on functionality. Every gesture imaginable can ultimately be pared down to these 10. An Archetypal gesture is the largest possible gesture of a primal intention. It is pure WILL with no justification and no emotional value placed to it. It should charge the whole body with the urge/desire to push, pull, etc with a universal neutral attitude. However, when you add a reason or emotion it can become a Psychological gesture (PG - well known technique in the Chekhov process). The AG becomes a training tool to develop the PG's in a scene or monologue. These are named after the elements of the earth, water, air and light which are used as a metaphor to express the full potential "HOW" of the expansion/contraction.
How do we do an AG:
Begin in an Ideal Universal Stance. Imagine your energy body is a large sheath or aura surrounding your physical body in the same shape yet larger and is activated by impulses coming from your Individual Artistic Center. Concentrate on the image of your energy body initiating the gesture. Add the movement of your physical body. Make a full-bodied gesture as big as you can without losing your balance. Continue the gesture in your imagination for three beats after your physical body reaches its fullest expression. Then release all energy as you return to Ideal Universal Self. Then do Oreo cookie Flyback.
Ways to play with this tool:
Guidelines to doing AG's -
BBEEP: Breath, Body, Extreme Polarity, Effort, and PASS. This is designed to help you remember five questions to lead your imagination if your AG is not inspiring you or charging your will forces up. "Did I BBEEP my AG?
Breath - One inhale and exhale
Body - Full use of the form, especially pelvis, legs and heel of the hands.
Extreme Polarity - The movement begins in the polar opposite direction of its ending
Effort - 100% commitment of the will with real tension easily done.
PASS - Preparation, Action, Sustain and Stop with clear beginning, middle and end to gesture.
Do it fully physically as possible with strong concentration on the tool. Make notes of feelings, sensations, images that are evoked.
Add random sound, eventually text, monologues, improvs, and scenes. Make notes of feelings, sensations, etc.
Gradually veil the tool as you apply it to text and blocking. Make notes...
Use scale of 0-10 or percentages (0%-100%) when practicing tool using veiling in increments. Add varying tempos to expansion/contraction and QOM, call out random scale numbers and/or elements to see what happens. (Do it unveiled first and then gradually veil it).
Oreo Cookie Flyback/Self Evaluation:
1) Overall, what did I like about what I just did?
2) What can I add to make it better?
3) What was my favorite moment?
Click on videos to view an overview and demonstration of the tool, Archetypal Gestures:
