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Characters: Creating Characters | ||
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Defining characters in terms of powerOne way of defining characters is to classify them in terms of power. Once their 'power level' has been defined it is much easier to look for situations to put them in. All characters will fall into one of six categories:
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Defining characters by their attitudesAnother way of defining characters is by their attitude. This covers dominant features of their personality, and should be clear by the actions they take. People fall into four general types of:
A person may be all of these at different times in different circumstances. In general, people adopt a strategy for dealing with the problems of the moment. If the problem can be dealt with then the person is assertive. An assertive person is generally a good problem solver. Our heroes are usually assertive people. People who want to solve problems but have difficulty in doing so may become aggressive. Typical indications are being short tempered, angry, argumentative, etc. Passive people either let others solve the problems, ignore the problems, or put up with them. They are the people who can be imposed on. Manipulative people get others to solve their problems, or get others blamed if the problems are not solved.
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Character roles and typesA typical cliché character plays a role is where the character's personality is partly dictated by the job they do. Examples are a policeman, cowboy, chorus girl, sailor, clown, nurse, taxi driver, waitress, etc. The uniform gives both the nature of the person's job and the class level of the character. There are also 'uniforms' in the style of dress. We would expect a lawyer to be smartly and soberly dressed. A rock star to be flamboyant, a biker to wear leathers, a rich woman to wear furs or high fashion, an artist to be casually dressed, etc. From that, the characters lifestyle, manner of speaking, and interests can be set out.
A type is a physical characteristic that is commonly used to depict certain types of people. These include the big idiot bully, the small smart hero, the beautiful young heroine, the dashing young hero, the wise old man, the sympathetic uncle/aunt, the terrible young brother, the rebellious teenager, the crazy professor, the scatty young woman, the domineering father, the charming scoundrel, etc. Once the type has been described it is easy to create situations for them. Imagine a story that contained all the above characters. Write out a brief description of each one indicating age, physical characteristics, and mannerisms. Give enough information for a casting director to select suitable people to play these parts. |
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Email: stan@makemovies.co.uk. Page last updated:
© 2002-2009 Stan Hayward. All rights reserved.