GOTE: The four basic GOTE: The four basic elements elements

What?What?

GOTE is an easy to remember GOTE is an easy to remember acronym that stands for and acronym that stands for and

brings together the four basic brings together the four basic elements to consider while elements to consider while

preparing a character for the preparing a character for the theatre.theatre.

GOTE Creator : Robert Cohen GOTE Creator : Robert Cohen

Robert Cohen, Professor of Drama at Robert Cohen, Professor of Drama at University of California at Irvine, created University of California at Irvine, created the GOTE method. the GOTE method.

His His Acting One Acting One textbook has been said to textbook has been said to be one of the most common beginning be one of the most common beginning acting textbooks used on college acting textbooks used on college campuses.campuses.

He teaches master acting classes in New He teaches master acting classes in New York and as a guest teacher at various York and as a guest teacher at various conservatories. conservatories.

Why?Why?

Actors use a GOTE by actually trying to do Actors use a GOTE by actually trying to do what their character is doing, at least on what their character is doing, at least on

the level of actions.the level of actions.

Once an actor figures out the GOTE for the Once an actor figures out the GOTE for the character ("getting the character's GOTE"), character ("getting the character's GOTE"),

they find a greater understanding of the they find a greater understanding of the character and hopefully will begin to make character and hopefully will begin to make

discoveries about tone and style and discoveries about tone and style and giving them a language to talk to the giving them a language to talk to the

director. director.

Why?Why?

Actors use a GOTE by actually trying to do Actors use a GOTE by actually trying to do what their character is doing, at least on what their character is doing, at least on

the level of actions.the level of actions.

Once an actor figures out the GOTE for the Once an actor figures out the GOTE for the character ("getting the character's GOTE"), character ("getting the character's GOTE"),

they find a greater understanding of the they find a greater understanding of the character and hopefully will begin to make character and hopefully will begin to make

discoveries about tone and style and discoveries about tone and style and giving them a language to talk to the giving them a language to talk to the

director. director.

G = GoalG = Goal

Often times this is also called Often times this is also called OBJECTIVE. This is what the OBJECTIVE. This is what the character WANTS in a scene or play. character WANTS in a scene or play. Usually a character has the same Usually a character has the same objective throughout the entire play.objective throughout the entire play.

I want I want _______(to-verb)____________________(to-verb)_____________

O = ObstacleO = Obstacle

The obstacle refers to anything that is The obstacle refers to anything that is stopping the character from achieving their stopping the character from achieving their goal.goal.

Drama needs (both in terms of practice and Drama needs (both in terms of practice and the need for interest) conflicts, which arise the need for interest) conflicts, which arise not only from the goals but from fighting not only from the goals but from fighting against obstacles to achieve those goals.against obstacles to achieve those goals.

The obstacle, however, should not be The obstacle, however, should not be "played." In other words the actors should "played." In other words the actors should pursue their goals, rather than looking whiny pursue their goals, rather than looking whiny about their obstacle. about their obstacle.

T = TacticsT = Tactics

Tactics are what we use to get what we want.Tactics are what we use to get what we want.

Tactics can range from totally threatening to Tactics can range from totally threatening to wholly inducing, and usually actors should wholly inducing, and usually actors should use a wide variety to create believable use a wide variety to create believable interactions. If an actor has, for instance, interactions. If an actor has, for instance, the goal "to threaten" then various tactics the goal "to threaten" then various tactics might be used to threaten. One might might be used to threaten. One might threaten the character, the character's threaten the character, the character's family, livelihood, etc. family, livelihood, etc.

Tactics:Tactics:

Strong, actable verbsStrong, actable verbsThat go through the other personThat go through the other personWe use to get out the objective/goalWe use to get out the objective/goalWhen one doesn’t work, we switch When one doesn’t work, we switch

and use anotherand use another

E = ExpectationE = Expectation

EExpectation refers to one's expectation xpectation refers to one's expectation of succeeding in achieving goals. If of succeeding in achieving goals. If one did not expect to achieve one's one did not expect to achieve one's goals then one would not pursue goals then one would not pursue them. Ultimately the script may have them. Ultimately the script may have the character fail but the actor the character fail but the actor should always act as if they believe should always act as if they believe they can succeed. Expectation can they can succeed. Expectation can also involve the character's journey. also involve the character's journey.

In theatre, we call getting a character’s In theatre, we call getting a character’s GOTE the way we prepare for the GOTE the way we prepare for the characters we are playing. characters we are playing.

Some actors actually take pen to paper and Some actors actually take pen to paper and fill in a GOTE worksheet to help them fill in a GOTE worksheet to help them organize their character.organize their character.

Characters from a script are sometimes Characters from a script are sometimes easier because you can find their GOTE in easier because you can find their GOTE in the playwright’s words.the playwright’s words.

REVIEWREVIEW

G = GoalG = Goal

O = ObstacleO = Obstacle

T = TacticsT = Tactics

E = ExpectationE = Expectation