• Butler, Jeremy G. “Building Narrative: Character, Actor, Star.” In Television: Critical Methods and Applications, 51-82. 3rd ed. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, 2007.

Chapter Outline/Notes

• It is easy to mistake television characters for real people, beyond that of the show.
• Realizing its “fakery” is a way to be able to view without feeling.

1. Typology of Character Signs

• Viewer foreknowledge.
• Character Names.
• Appearance.
• Object Correlative.
• Dialogue.
• Lighting.

• Judging the performance of the actor is a subjective business.

1. Typology of Performance Signs

• Vocal
• Facial
• Gestural
• Corporeal

1. Strategies of Performance

• Repertory Performance.
• Method Performance.
• Vaudeville Performance.
• Brechtian Performance.

• A star is an actor who exists to the viewer beyond the show.
• Many soap opera actors are not considered television stars because for many viewers, they do not exist out side of their T.V.

1. Of Texts and Intertextuality

• Promotion
• Publicity
• Television Programs
• Criticism

Terms/Concepts to Know:

• Media Texts
• Sign of Character
• Code
• Narrative Image
• Signs of Performance
• Volume
• Pitch
• Timber
• Rhythm
• Naturalist
• Anti-Naturalist
• Repertory
• Method
• Emotional Memory
• Sense Memory
• Improvisation
• Epic Theater
• Distanciation
• Star Image
• Polysemy
• Intertextuality
• Publicity
• Typecasting
• Perfect Fit
• Problematic Fit
• Selective Use

Viewing Samples