Hot Spotting / Magic Microphone

by | Drama Strategies

magic microphone

What is Hot Spotting?

The audience or teacher asks questions of characters in a freeze frame. 

Start with a freeze-frame/still image showing a dramatic moment. Use thought-tracking to hear the thoughts of the characters. Now ask the audience whether they have any questions about what the characters said – motives, thoughts and feelings. The characters stay 'inside the world' of the still image, but are allowed to move and speak when questioned. This is a more accessible approach than hot-seating as the participants are already in role and have the support of their scene-partners. 

You can use any simple prop (rolled-up paper/felt-tip pen) as a "magic microphone" to interview students in role. This is especially motivating for younger students.

(Press the PLAY button on the video to jump to the key moment in our webinar where you can watch a short example of hot-spotting in a teacher-training workshop.)

50 Amazing Ways to Use Freeze-Frames!

freeze frames

Practical information and ideas about using Freeze-Frames and Still Images in Drama and other lessons, including Benefits, When/How to use them, combining with Drama Strategies, 50+ Ways to use them across the Curriculum and a handy Photocopiable Evaluation Checklist!

Buy the 7-page Freeze-Frames and Still Images Drama Unit (PDF) for just £5.49 with credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

101 Drama Games and Activities

101 Drama Games and Activities

'Belongs amongst the top 10 books any director or drama teacher should own.' - English Touring Opera

101 More Drama Games and Activities

101 MORE Drama Games and Activities

'This book cheered me up. Buy it and smile. There will be a lot of laughter in your classroom.' - Drama Magazine.

Learning Through Drama in the Primary Years

Learning Through Drama in the Primary Years

'Full of easily accessible advice... clear explanations and inventive suggestions.' - National Drama Magazine.

Playful Plays Volume 1

Playful Plays

'David Farmer has hit gold with Playful Plays... an off-the-shelf, ready-to-go, high-quality rehearsal process ideal for primary-aged students' - Drama Magazine.

Playful Plays Volume 1

Drop of a Hat

‘A flexible, varied book filled with engaging drama activities’ – Drama and Theatre magazine. Lesson plans to bring the curriculum to life through drama and creativity.