← Drama syllabus

ScotlandDrama

Acting Skills

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do actors build and sustain a believable character at National 5?

Characterisation: building and sustaining a role by combining voice and movement with an understanding of the character's status, motivation, relationships, objectives and inner thoughts, and responding in role to other performers.
An SQA National 5 Drama answer on characterisation: how actors build and sustain a believable role by combining voice and movement with an understanding of status, motivation, relationships, objectives and inner thoughts, and by responding truthfully in role.
9 min answer →

How do actors use movement and the body to create character and meaning at National 5?

Movement as an acting skill: using posture, gait, gesture, facial expression, eye contact, body language and use of space (proxemics) to create character, convey emotion and communicate meaning to an audience.
An SQA National 5 Drama answer on movement as an acting skill: how actors use posture, gait, gesture, facial expression, eye contact, body language and use of space to create character, convey emotion and communicate meaning without words.
9 min answer →

How is the National 5 Drama performance assessed, and what is expected of an acting or production-role performance?

The performance: the coursework practical worth most of the course marks, in which you present drama as an actor (in two contrasting roles) or in a production role, demonstrating skills appropriate to your chosen specialism for an audience.
An overview of the SQA National 5 Drama performance: the practical coursework worth most of the course marks, in which candidates present drama as an actor in contrasting roles or in a production role, demonstrating the skills of their specialism to an audience and marked by a visiting assessor.
8 min answer →

How do actors use the voice to create character and meaning at National 5?

Voice as an acting skill: using pace, pitch, pause, projection, tone, clarity, emphasis, volume and accent to create character, convey emotion and communicate meaning to an audience.
An SQA National 5 Drama answer on voice as an acting skill: how actors use pace, pitch, pause, projection, tone, clarity, emphasis, volume and accent to create character, convey emotion and communicate meaning to an audience.
9 min answer →