Character Motivations: Underlying Driving Needs for Actors, Writers and Directors
Yesterday I wrote about what to do with the script, examining the starting point for actors, writers and directors when it comes to script analysis.
Today I want to just highlight one of those questions, WHAT IS THE CHARACTER’S UNDERLYING DRIVING NEED?
But what are the needs? How do you establish them? Well, it is often produced through the conflicts the character meets and the obstacles they attempt to overcome. However, if you’re unsure about how to even start with needs, they are personal and basic. If you like, they are what Marshall Rosenberg calls ‘Present Needs’. They drive the character throughout the play, and without identifying it you fail to make an effective bridge to the character through the script.
What kinds of needs are there? Rosenberg splits them into the following sections:
CONNECTION such things as Acceptance, Security, Love and Respect.
PHYSICAL WELL BEING such things Sleep, Food, Sex and Shelter. (Maslow in Essence)
HONESTY such as the Truth and Integrity.
PLAY such as Joy, Creativity and Expression.
PEACE such as Order, Harmony and Inspiration.
MEANING (a huge category this but) such as Understanding, Hope and Purpose.
AUTONOMY such as Freedom, Choice and Independence
To see ALL of Marshall Rosenberg’s PERSONAL NEEDS and use them as a short-hand lexicon when answering this question, this is a link to Rosenberg’s site page about Personal Needs. Writers, directors and actors, print them out and use it as a sort of cheat sheet for working out the Underlying Driving Needs of characters.
When I recently analysed the re-working of my old play Swingboats, I found that using this question made it clear when characters were just talking and when they were involved in the drama of the play.
I really hope this helps!
Best Wishes to You!
Mark Westbrook – Acting Coach Scotland