Creating a Character

Creating a Character

Methods for Deeping Characterizations

• Compelling characters are human beings to whom the story happens.

• The best inspiration often comes from within us and from our experiences.

Emotional Triggers

• The moment of greatest fear

• The moment of greatest courage

• The moment of greatest sorrow

• The moment of greatest joy

• The worst failure

Include in your own exploration:

• People around you

• Someone you hate, admire, fear

• Your greatest love

• Your childhood nemesis

• Your favorite neighbour

• Your best friend

First Impressions

• Basic information

• Character's thoughts

• Character's behavior

• How does the character talks (accent, slang)

• Name (not any name)

• A secret, vulnerability, desire, ambition or goal

• A contradiction

A driving need, desire, ambition or goal

• Characters most want something and, the stronger they want, the more compelling the resulting drama.

Secret

• A secret creates conflicts between the character and the society, families, etc.

• We are our own best source for understanding secrets.