Slow Motion and Freeze Images

We use Slow motion and freeze images in theatre to get more dramatic moments or create an effect. We have used these techniques in some of our performances. In the video on your right, you can see this method in Blood Wedding (based on the play with the same name by Garcia Lorca). Here we can see a knife fight between the protagonists in slow motion, which is even reinforced by the video edition, getting a quite dramatic effect in this scene.

In the video on the left (also from Blood Wedding) we use freeze image to catch the audience attention and underline what is happening with the characters. Both techniques, slow motion and freeze images can also be combined to show what's happening in the protagonists' minds, that it's only them that matters and real live don't count for them. It's also a way to summarize the story and shorten the timeline without missing the relevant meaning.

Activities to train slow motion and freeze images

We've used some activities to train our students and get fluent performance. We have selected one activity for each technique, the ones we think that can be most helpful of each method. Both activities are from Farmer, David. 101 More Drama Games and Activities . Drama Resource

Slow Motion

Slow Motion Race

The winner is the last person across the finishing line. Divide the class into groups of four and explain that the task is to devise a slow-motion running race. The winner will be the last person across the finishing line. The race should last one minute, but in that time the group should provide as much interest as possible. There can be moments where one person is overtaking another, there can be some cheating (such as tripping up one of the runners), but everything should be in slo-o-ow motion – and facial expressions and reactions are crucial. Give them ten minutes to devise and practice their race, then each group can show their performance. Alternatively, you can use this exercise as a wind-down at the end of a session. Sit everyone at one end of the space and in groups of four they can improvise their slow-motion race to a designated finishing line. Although the participants can pretend to outwit the other runners, there should be no actual touching. The slower the race and the reactions, the more interesting it will be for the audience. The theme tune from Chariots of Fire can be played as the groups are performing the race.

Freeze image

Living Pictures

A picture is brought to life through still images, thought tracking and improvisation. A visual image can provide a powerful and immediate stimulus for drama, whether it be a painting by Pieter Brueghel, L. S. Lowry or William Hogarth or perhaps a photograph by Cartier-Bresson – just as long as it depicts a range of characters. The picture should be big enough to be seen by the whole group - ideally projected on to the wall - or a large poster displayed where everyone can talk about it together. Examine the picture with the participants, highlighting any issues you want to discuss such as relationships between the characters and where the picture is set. Explain that the group is going to bring the picture to life by making a three-dimensional tableau. Invite participants to look carefully at the picture and to place themselves in the space as one of the characters. As they enter they should say who they are and make a still image of their chosen character as accurately as possible. When you have enough people to represent all (or most of) the characters, you can move onto Thought Tracking. If you have a large group, those who haven’t chosen a character may enjoy watching – they can go next. Alternatively, you can ask them to add themselves in as a character that they think could be in the scene. Walk around and amongst the characters, tapping them on the shoulder one by one to hear their thoughts. When you have heard them all, explain that the picture will come to life for a few moments when you clap your hands. If it is a complex picture you can use spotlighting to find out what is happening in different parts of the tableau. As you walk around the group, invite each sub-group of characters to come to life and be heard. As you move away, they should freeze back into a tableau.