Storytelling without words

Marcel Marceau was a French mime artist and actor most famous for his character Bip the Clown. He was a master of his silent art, using body language, movement and facial expression to visually tell stories without the need for words, captivating audiences worldwide.

Marceau created his character Bip the Clown to “bring hope to people”. It was through his lived experience that he perfected his art and his character formed.

Read: The mime who saved kids from the Holocaust on Smithsonian Magazine.

Marceau was heavily influenced by silent film actor Charlie Chaplin. But unlike Marceau, Chaplin did use dialogue in some of his movies.

For his first film with speaking parts, Chaplin wrote a speech. This emotional appeal for peace had a renaissance in 2014 when it featured in a song.

Read: The story behind Paolo Nutini’s Iron Sky speech on Radio X.

Writing

After watching Marceau’s Youth, Maturity, Old Age and Death, a portrayal of the journey of life, one critic said, “He accomplishes in less than two minutes what most novelists cannot do in volumes.” 

Look up the short film and carefully observe how Marceau portrays each step of the journey. What does he do to visually explain the different steps of a person’s life, what sentiments are conveyed? Try to capture some of the expression and movement in words.

We’d love to see what you come up with, if you’d like to share.

Photo by Ernie A. Stephens on Unsplash