Walk the Walk
.Okay....I just (August 27 2003) had an incredible lesson in my theatre class about movement which might clear up some things about possible Snape movement:
There's an idea in theatre (and dance) called the Laban Effort. It is a way to describe a way of moving. In dance it can be used to indicate a style, but for theatre it can be used to help build characters. Mixtures of the criteria will yield different results, and thus different characters. For example, walking heavily with weight dragging makes you feel sad or depressed, while walking light feels more liberating and free. Try it! Even if you aren't an actor, you should be able to tell a difference in your mood.
It is based on four criteria:
Time: Describes speed of walk and movement. Sustained or Quick
Weight: Describes weight of body. Ie, walking with loads of weight on your shoulders, or walking as if you can barely stay on earth. Heavy or Light.
Space: Describes movements' direction. Ie, immediately walking to a point or wandering around. Direct or Indirect.
Flow: Describes the amount of restriction that is apparently placed on body. It's like walking through jello as opposed to normally. Bound or Free.
I hope the attentive Snapists are noticing the combination appropriate to him. These are the combinations and their official name:
| Name | Time | Weight | Space | Flow |
| Press | Sustained | Heavy | Direct | Bound |
| Punch | Quick | Heavy | Direct | Bound |
| Dab | Quick | Light | Direct | Free\Bound |
| Flick | Quick | Light | Indirect | Free |
| Slash | Quick | Heavy | Indirect | Free |
| Wring | Sustained | Heavy | Indirect | Bound |
| Float | Sustained | Light | Indirect | Bound\Free |
| Glide | Sustained | Light | Direct | Free |
My guess is that the "Punch" most notably fits our Potions Professor. He's quick (which causes the 'billowing robes'), obviously burdened with troubles, and direct to his point. I believe more his action is 'Bound', however. With the 'Bound' you get the sense that you are restricted in movement. Free has more of the connotation of unrestrictive thought. Remember one of the first rules of acting: movement should always reflect a character's inner self.
The best way to prove-disprove my point is to actually try the exersice. I suggest walking first. Then try out each possibility one at a time. (Walk Light, then walk Heavy, then walk Quick, ect.) Then combine them. Walk both Heavy and Bound. Then walk Heavy and Free. The sensations are quite different, as I found out today. As you mix them up and try different combinations, you should get ideas of who (in terms of characters) would walk in a certain manner. The "flick" mode, for example, reminds me of a young madien smitten with love. What you're trying to do is determine which one makes you feel like Snape. Because that is the point of all this.
This is just a way to look at Snape's character. Take it as such. Any questions, proposals, disagreements email me--please.
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"It's just a prop--they're be fine." HELLO! Actors are lost without props! This is coming from personal experience.