Basic Pantomime Techniques Pantomime is the art of performing theater since the 16th century, derived from the Latin “Pantomimus” which means imitating everything. Pantomime is the art of theatrical performances without using sound, but using expressions and body movements accompanied by music.
According to the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), pantomime is a drama performance without words play with gestures and facial expressions (usually accompanied by music). Mime uses expressions and body movements as the dialogue of the performance.
In general, pantomime shows are humorous and comical. The world famous artist in mime is Charlie Chaplin or Charles Spencer Chaplin. In Indonesia, the figure of the national mime artist is Jemek Supardi, his well-known works are Small Sketches, 1000 Mirrors of Pak Jemek, Waiting at the Station, Until Waiting for (News) Death.
Pantomime features
Quoting from the book Seni Budaya (2017) the performing arts of mime have several characteristics: Performing arts whose actors do not communicate with words. The movements made by actors during the performance have meaning and meaning. The language of movement perform by actors during a performance a universal language, meaning that it can understood by mankind in general
Actors use white makeup and black kohl and other make-up to exaggerate their emotions. During the show, the actors wear striped clothes in black and white. In modern times, the clothes and makeup of mime actors are increasingly varied to support the emotions of each. Character but still have the impression of authentic makeup. Mime performances can done individually or in groups
Mime Type
Pantimim shows are group bas on the number of players who appear, as follows: Solo pantomime, play by one player. In general, it displays interesting themes and scenes in the form of problems fac by someone, for example someone who wants to cross the street, suddenly hit by rain and strong winds.
Pantomime in pairs, played by two people or in pairs. Show humorous scenes and respond to each other’s movements. Like a tug of war scene. Group pantomime, played by more than two people or in groups. Displays movements that can done in groups, such as the movement of a group of ducks being herd by farmers.
Basic techniques in playing pantomime
Pantomime relies on expressions and body movements of players, so the main key is mastering body and expression techniques. Exercise exercise in pantomime. A flexible body is need in playing pantomime. The following are the stages of body flexing in the performing art of pantomime:
Head Section. Move your head left and right, then back and forth slowly and steadily. Then do the movement to rotate the head and change the opposite direction. Do it until the muscles in the head feel light. Hand Section. Pantomime has the main strength in the hands, because they often have to make imaginative movements. Practice the hands by straightening up, sideways, front, then turning your palms, flexing your fingers, and so on.
Body Parts. Body exercises include abs, chest and back. Do body exercises by moving your body forward (bent) and backward (kayang). This movement will train the strength of the abdominal muscles of the legs, shoulders, arms and waist.
Hips.
Exercising the hips done by moving the hips sideways, forward, and bending. Feel the hips become light and flexible.
Leg Section.
Practicing various poses for performances can train your feet to become stronger when performing on stage.