Thinking of a scene as a negotiation is very helpful because it implies that characters are pursuing actions and employing tactics to achieve their wants. In other words someone or something wants something and is working to achieve it. Characters negotiate with their own inner voices or conflicts.
Characers negotiate with each other.
Characters negotiate with their environment. Negotiations exist wherever there is need and conflict. As a general rule when we look at a scene as a negotiation or series of negotiations we find the needs that may be extrinsic or intrinsic to the characters involved. Understanding and personalising the need helps the actor to make it matter. The more it matters the greater the stakes, the geater the stakes the more involved and engaged we become in the scene - as actors and as audience. A negotiation also implies give and take. Sometimes a character will have to give something to get something he wants. In Saving Jamie for example: Rick comes to see his old friend - he is prepared to give up part of his resentment towards Jamie in order to get some respite from his own guilt. He never states this explicitly but if the actor playing Rick understands Rick's need - his characterisation is enriched. On the face of it Rick has come to help his friend but on another level he has come to get or negotiate for something he needs badly. | 