What is an Obstacle?

By Webmaster

  • What is an Obstacle?

    Obstacles are at the heart of dramatic tension.

    (by Tonya Tannenbaum)

    In acting, an obstacle is a person or object that stands in the way of your character achieving his or her objective. Obstacles can also be internal or psychological.

    Obstacles are at the heart of dramatic tension. Your character has an objective that he or she would like to achieve. If your character’s need or desire to reach their objective is strong enough, they will take action to achieve this objective.

    Standing in the way of the character achieving their objective is the obstacle. The obstacle is often a person, or persons.

    For example, in Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, having fallen in love, had an objective. They wanted to be together as husband and wife. But the two “star-cross’d lovers” had one big obstacle that stood in the way: a long-standing blood feud between their families. The Montagues and the Capulets were sworn enemies. The hatred between the two families ran so deep that even the servants of the families were at odds.

  • Romeo and Juliet’s objective repeatedly crashing into their obstacle is what makes the Shakespearean play so great. The lovers go to great lengths to overcome their obstacle, including the drugging of Juliet so she can appear dead for a time, only to reawaken in her Romeo’s arms. At least, that was the plan.

    While obstacles are often people, they are not limited to people. Obstacles can, in fact, be anything that prevents the character from achieving their objectives. Obstacles can be inanimate objects. They can even be internal or psychological conflicts within the character themselves.

    When obstacles come into direct opposition with the character’s objectives, conflict is created. This resulting conflict is what makes every story interesting. The audience is first drawn in by the character’s need to fulfill an objective. Then an obstacle is presented. The audience then follows along with the character as they wrestle with, and ultimately overcome (or fail to overcome) their obstacle.


  • You Might Also Like:
    What is a Background Actor?


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • What is a Commercial Headshot?

    What is a Commercial Headshot? The importance of a commercial headshot (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Marcelo Chagas | Pexels) A commercial headshot is an 8×10 photo that is designed to help an actor…

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting

    Theatre Acting vs. Film Acting What’s the main difference? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Erik Mclean/ Unsplash) The same habits you picked up as a theatre actor may cause you a lot of pain,…

    What is Improv?

    What is Improv? Is improv good for acting? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Improv is short for improvisation or improvisational theatre. It is a type of theatrical performance that is unscripted….

    Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference?

    QUESTION: Demo Reel vs. Showreel: What is the Difference? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Bruno Massao | Pexels) QUESTION: What is the difference between a demo reel and a showreel? ANSWER: A demo reel…

    What is a Survival Job? 

    What is a Survival Job? What are some typical survival jobs? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Elevate | Pexels) For actors, a survival job is a job that, quite literally, helps you to survive….

  • Ad

  • What is the Meisner Technique? 

    What is the Meisner Technique? “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) The Meisner Technique is the revolutionary approach to acting that was first introduced by…

    What are Beats? 

    What are Beats? Recognizing the important shifts in the story to deliver a more powerful performance (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Alex Green | Pexels) A beat is a slight shift in the thought,…

    What is Pilot Season? 

    What is Pilot Season? A few notes about pilots and pilot season… (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Rodnae Productions | Pexels) A television pilot, also referred to as simply a “pilot”, is a test…

  • Ad

  • What is an Avail? 

    What is an Avail? Explaining this important, non-binding agreement (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) You (or your rep) submitted your materials in response to a breakdown. You secured an audition….

    What is a Casting Director? 

    What is a Casting Director?  The essence of their job is in having an “eye for talent”  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Emmy E | Pexels) A casting director is just that. They are…

    ACTING TECHNIQUE | What is a Button? 

    ACTING TECHNIQUE What is a Button? Putting the finishing touch on a scene  (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Anastasiya Gepp | Pexels) You may have heard the expression, “Put a button on it!”, in…

    What is an Audition? 

    What is an Audition? What is the purpose of an audition? (By Jim Webb) An audition is a brief acting performance by an actor or actress in hopes of landing a role in…

    What is Global Rule One? 

    What is Global Rule One?  Breaking down one of SAG-AFTRA’s founding principles  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) Global Rule One (GR1) is a rule within the guidelines of SAG-AFTRA that declares that an actor who…

  • Ad

  • What is an Audition Reader? 

    What is an Audition Reader?  Who, in an audition, plays the other characters in the scene? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Vanilla Bear Films | Unsplash) An audition reader is the person in an…

    What is SAG-AFTRA? 

    What is SAG-AFTRA?  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) SAG-AFTRA is an American labor union that represents actors, particularly in the areas of film and television. Additionally, the union represents other…

    What Are the 5 W’s of Acting?

    What Are the 5 W’s of Acting?  Defining your character’s given circumstances  (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Who are you? What do you want in life and why do you want…

  • Ad

  • What is a Talent Agent?

    What is a Talent Agent? Everything you need to know about talent agents (By Staff) (Photo: Rodnae Productions | Pexels) A talent agent is a person who helps actors, models, musicians and other…

    What is a Guest Star Role? 

    What is a Guest Star Role?  Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve…  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) A guest star is a character on a television show who…

    What is a Commercial Conflict? 

    What is a Commercial Conflict?  What happens when an actor is sought by a competing brand? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: KoolShooters | Pexels) What happens when an actor performs in a commercial for one advertiser,…

    What is a Co-Star Role?

    What is a Co-Star Role?  Diving into television roles and the purposes they serve…  (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Rene Ranisch/Unsplash) A co-star role is a small role created to help advance the story,…

    What is a Book-Out? 

    What is a Book-Out?  Communicating your unavailability with your agent…  (by Tonya Tannenbaum) A book-out is a notice that an actor sends to their talent rep(s), alerting the rep that the actor will…

  • Ad