What is the Unbroken Line?

By Webmaster

  • What is the Unbroken Line?

    When this line is broken, Stanislavski believed, the actor gets “lost” in the role, the life of the character “stops” and the actor loses the overall thrust of the character.


    (by Tonya Tannenbaum)

    The term, “unbroken line”, describes the overall trajectory of the character’s life, a trajectory that the actor must sustain and maintain throughout the course of the role. The concept of the unbroken line originates from acting teacher and theorist, Konstantin Stanislavski.

  • Stanislavski believed that the life of a character must mirror that of a real person. And, he believed that every real person has an “unbroken line”, or trajectory, that their lives follow. While a person’s attention may move from one distraction to the next, from one area of focus to the next, a person’s life trajectory remains the same or is “unbroken”.

    Consider your own life. It generally moves in an unbroken line. You have an overall set of goals and objectives that you pursue. On a day-to-day basis, you may become briefly distracted by what you see in the news, or by an upsetting personal event, or by an exciting achievement, but those events are mostly momentary. They usually don’t change the course of your life. Your life mostly continues down one main path or direction. Without a main path to follow, a person can feel “lost” in their lives.

    Likewise, Konstantin Stanislavski believed an actor must discover, and sustain, a character’s unbroken line. When this line is broken, he believed, the actor gets “lost” in the role, the life of the character “stops” and the actor loses the overall thrust of the character.


  • You Might Also Like:
    7 Basic Facts About Konstantin Stanislavski


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • What Defines an A-List Actor?

    What Defines an A-List Actor? Decoding A-List Status (By Tonya Tannenbaum) The term “A-List actor” is frequently used to denote the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry. But what exactly places…

    What is Scale?

    Understanding the Scale Decoding Acting Salaries in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Karolina Grabowski | Pexels) In the intricate world of acting, compensation is often discussed in terms of “scale.” This…

    What is a Meal Penalty?

    What is a Meal Penalty? The specifics of meal penalties can vary, but here are some common elements (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Lukas | Pexels) A meal penalty in acting refers to a…

    What is the Entertainment Community Fund?

    What is the Entertainment Community Fund? The Entertainment Community Fund provides help in various forms (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Monstera Production | Pexels) The Entertainment Community Fund, for the Actors Fund, is a…

    What is Method Acting?

    What is Method Acting? Exploring the World of Method Acting: Techniques and Principles (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Genarlo Servin/Pexels) Method acting is a renowned and influential approach to acting that has produced some…

  • Ad

  • What is Craft Service?

    What is Craft Service? Exploring the Role of Craft Services in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Craig Adderley | Pexels) In the fast-paced world of filmmaking and entertainment production, ensuring that…

    What is a Stand-In?

    What is a Stand-In? The Role of a Stand-In in Filmmaking (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) A stand-in is a person hired on a film or television production to substitute…

    What is a Booking?

    What is a Booking? Understanding Booking in Acting: What It Means and Why It Matters (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) In the world of acting, the term “booking” holds significant…

  • Ad

  • What is a Dress Rehearsal?

    What is a Dress Rehearsal? The Importance and Purpose of Dress Rehearsals in the Performing Arts (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) In the world of theater, dance, and other performing arts,…

    What is a Casting Notice?

    What is a Casting Notice? Casting notices are the initial bridge between casting directors and actors (By Carmichael Phillips) (By AbsolutVision on Unsplash) A casting notice, also known as a casting call or…

    What is a Table Read?

    What is a Table Read? A “table read” is a crucial step in the pre-production process (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Alex Green | Pexels) A table read, also known as a script reading…

    What is the Stanislavski System?

    What is the Stanislavski System? A Deep Dive into Acting’s Most Influential Technique (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Konstantin Stanislavski) The Stanislavski System, also known as Stanislavski’s Method or Stanislavski’s System, is a groundbreaking and…

    What is a Short Film?

    What is a Short Film? Short films are a dynamic component of the filmmaking landscape (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) A short film is a brief cinematic work that tells…

  • Ad

  • What is a Call Time?

    What is a Call Time? Understanding Call Time in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Icons8 Team/Unsplash) In the world of entertainment, whether it’s a film set, a theater production, or a…

    What is a Monologue?

    What is a Monologue? What are some types of monologues? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Genarlo Servin/Pexels) A monologue is a dramatic or literary form of expression in which a character delivers a speech,…

    What is Actors’ Equity Association?

    What is Actors’ Equity Association? Demystifying the guardian of theater professionals (By Jim Webb) In the world of live theater, actors, stage managers, and performers rely on an organization that champions their rights,…

  • Ad

  • The Basics of the Alexander Technique

    The Basics of the Alexander Technique How the Alexander Technique Can Empower Actors (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) Acting is a demanding craft that requires not only exceptional talent but…

    What is a Director of Photography?

    What is a Director of Photography? Demystifying the Role of the D.P. (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Vanilla Bear Films | Unsplash) In the world of filmmaking, a symphony of creative minds comes together…

    15 Types of Voiceover Acting Work

    15 Types of Voiceover Acting Work Your Guide to a Diverse Industry (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Gianandrea Villa/Unsplash) The world of voiceover acting is a dynamic and diverse field that offers a wide…

    Important Theatre Definitions Every Actor Should Know

    Important Theatre Definitions Every Actor Should Know Familiarize yourself with these key theatre terms (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) As an aspiring actor, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with key theatre…

    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…

  • Ad