Creating Characters

When we read a book, see a play, or watch a movie, we tend to connect more with the work when there is a complexity and depth that mirrors real life. This complexity is usually derived from the characters. Just think: if you had dull characters in your play, is your work going to be very engaging? Probably not.

So, in order to get a few ideas about character design, before even attempting to write a scene, please do the following excercise:  For the following people in the photos, give a name, an age-range, a one sentence description, and goal or urgent desire they have in life.

Here's an example:  NED FLUM, age 39-42. Ned spends every afternoon downtown by his favorite brickwall, and most people think he is crazy. Ned wants to prove that if shows up everyday at "his" brickwall, he'll become a national sensation, based on his belief that people are fascinated with meaningless publicity stunts.

Now in your notebook, do the same thing with 2 of the pictures.

1.   2. 3.

4.    5.