Understanding Your Character

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Kebiru's avatar
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After reading BrandonSPilcher's journal, I decided that I should post this Character Analysis I read in a script writing book( I let someone borrow it so title/author coming later). A lot of these questions you never think to ask and most will never be introduced in your comics. But it's nice to truly nice understand how your characters think before he/she enters a scenario.
Have fun.

Edit: Got the book back. "Successful Scriptwriting" by Jurgen Wolff and Kerry Cox

Character Analysis

1. Name
2. Sex
3. Age
4. Physical appearance
5. How does the character feel about the way he or she looks?
6. Describe the character's childhood in terms of:
    a. Relationship to parents
    b. Relationship to siblings
    c. Relationship to the other key people in his or her youth
    d. Lifestyle while growing up
    e. Education
f. Childhood activities (hobbies, interest)
g. Location(s) where he or she grew up
7. Describe the character's education  during and after high school, as well as any military service.
8. Describe the character's current relationship to:
    a. Parents
    b. siblings
    c. Other key people from his or her youth
9. Describe the character's romantic life (married? Involved?) and any relevant background (e.g., previous marriage, affairs).
10. Describe the character's sex life and moral beliefs.
11. Does the character have kids? If so, describe his or her relationship with them. If not describe his or her attitude toward children.
12. What is the character's religious background and current religious belief?
13. What is the character's occupation?
14. Describe the character's relationship to his or her boss and coworkers.
15. How does the character feel about his or her job?
16. What are the character's hobbies or nonwork activities?
17. Describe the character's philosophy of life.
18. Describe the character's political views.
19. Sum up the main aspects of the character's personality, including whether he or she is optimistic or pessimistic, an introvert or extrovert, and so forth.
20. What is this character proud of?
21. What is this character ashamed of?
22. Describe the character's state of health.
23. How intelligent is the character?
24. Summarize the character's relationship to the other major characters in the screenplay.
25. What is this character's goal in the script?
26. Why does he or she want to achieve this goal?
27. Who or what is trying to stop this character from reaching the goal? Why?
28. What strengths of this character will help him or her in the effort to reach the goal? What weaknesses will hold him or her back?
29. How articulate is the character?
30. Does the character have an accent or dialect? (If so, describe it)
31. Does the character use slang or professional jargon? (If so, describe it.)
© 2013 - 2024 Kebiru
Comments5
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blackphoenixRico's avatar
I like the sheet its helping out alot