2. Introduction:
A mime artist or just mime is a person who uses mime
as a theatrical medium or as a performance art.
Miming involves acting out a story through body
motions, without the use of speech.
Most well-known mime was Marcel Marceau.
Mime Marcel Marceau, developing the art of mime,
becoming himself the leading exponent.
3. Miming:
Mime is a type of acting that does not use words or
speech. Mime is all about physical movement and
exaggerating your expressions. Mimes (people who
practice mime) must use their actions to send
a message or tell a story. They are not allowed to speak
directly to the audience. Miming is distinguished
from silent comedy, in which the artist is a character in
a film or skit without sound.
4. Skills & Techniques
There are many elements involved in being a great
mime artist, such as things like; facial expression, body
language, hand gestures, etc. Some of the most well-
known mimes to try are: being trapped in a box,
walking a dog, eating, pulling a rope and walking on a
really windy day.
These may sound easy, but in fact are actually quite
difficult to master. Some other 'moves' done by mimes
are: 'The Learn' - learning on an imaginary table, or
leaning against an imaginary post.
5. The key to doing this is to bend your leg that is
closest to the imaginary thing you are leaning
on, to give the illusion that your weight is
resting on the imaginary
object; another move is the 'Stationary Walk'.
All of these skills are vital parts in creating and
performing any amazing mime piece.
6. Key Elements in Mime
There are several important things to keep in mind
when studying mime. Following these rules will make
your scenes understandable and enjoyable for your
audience.
Every action should be much bigger than real life in
order to make events crystal clear to your audience
Use your entire body to show an emotion or to
complete an action, even if doing so is a bit
unrealistic. This will help the audience understand
you scene
7. Exaggerated Emotions
Use BIG facial expressions (think of clowns)
Remember to use your whole body to show the
emotion (ie. Jump for joy, cringe in fear)
8. Exaggerated Energy
Exaggerate the amount of effort required to complete
an action (ie. If something is heavy then veins should
be popping out of your head as you lift it)
Precision
All of your movements onstage must be carefully
thought out step by step and executed in an exact
manner in order to keep the meaning clear
9. 5 Things to Remember When
Performing a Mime
Facial Expression
Clear Actions
Beginning, Middle, End
Directing Action to Audience
No Talking
10. In Education use :
Miming in Class is a simple activity which can be used
with almost any level to learn and practice vocabulary.
Of course miming is acting out a story or words with
the body only and without using any language.
This has advantages in the classroom (especially with
beginners) because it does not require students to
come up with possibly difficult language in order to
express themselves.
In other words, they would act in the same way
whether they were miming in English, Japanese or any
other language!
11. In the Classroom
Divide the class into two teams. Get a student from
Team A up to the front of the class and hand them a
card. They must mime the word to their own team who
must try to guess it. Put a time limit – say 60 seconds –
for them to do so. As the student mimes the word,
their team call out answers and if they get it right, they
get 2 points.
12. conclusion:
Students use only facial expressions and body
language to pass on a message script to the rest of the
class. They will be keeping enjoying and learn the
content also.
