Not True, But Useful... A Cheek by Jowl Podcast Episode 6 - Why We Do What We Do
9 snips
May 29, 2020 
Declan Donnellan, a renowned theater director known for his insightful character explorations, dives into the complexities of motivation in this discussion. He reveals how dread often propels actions more than desires do, using examples from Chekhov's 'Three Sisters' and other narratives. The conversation also touches on the emotional turmoil that comes with loss, examining how characters face their demons. Through his lens, we understand the rich interplay between cultural influences and personal motivations in both life and theater.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rescue Moment Reveals Action Beyond Motive
- Declan tells a vivid rescue story of a father saving his son from a raging river to show action beyond motive.
- He argues the father's lived experience is
Dread Often Drives Human Action
- Declan suggests dread drives action more than desire, rooted in evolutionary survival reactions.
- He says we often act to relieve a present bad feeling rather than to chase future wants.
Start Scenes From What Characters Fear
- Ask