Here is the third installment in
the
Character Development Section.
Forming A Character
By Peter Marucci
Talk about getting ahead of yourself!
Here we are, talking about developing a bizarre-type
character and we've said nothing about picking what type of character that
should be.
And that is critical, because you are going to
have to enjoy this character and live with him, possibly for years.
As mentioned on the home page, there are many
types to choose from: Vampire or vampire-hunter, witch or wizard, demon
or saint.
And it may not be quite as easy as it looks; you
may want to be a Merlin-type wizard but your real persona doesn't make
that possible.
For example, you may want to play the part of
a demon but you have blond, curly hair and a cherubic smile! Or you may
want to be an ancient wizard (like Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter
books and films) but you're 'way too young.
Just as in "real" magic, you have to fit your
real personality with your stage personality (unless you're Sir Laurence
Olivier or someone like that; and, in that case, you wouldn't be reading
this anyway!).
Again, for example, if you want to do comedy magic
but look like the president of a bank, it just isn't going to work; or,
if you are 15 years old, you shouldn't try to talk about your years of
study in a monastery in Tibet!
And the same applies in bizarre magick.
So, here's a rough - very rough - rule of thumb:
If you are under 18 years old, you may want to
go with a punk character.
If you are between 18 and 30, you could go with
a Goth persona.
If you are over 30, the vampire or wizard character
might fit you.
But, in all cases, try to fit the stage character
with your real character. After all, Eddie Murphy doesn't play heavy, straight,
white characters; and Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't play nerdy or African-American
characters.
Decide on your character; find out if you have
enough material to carry that character; and then go back and read the
first two parts of this section again.
And don't just nod knowingly and move on; I mean
really go back and read them again.
Hey, it works for me - and I wrote them!
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com
Look for more pages to be added as soon as Peter
has the time
to write them up.
Thanks Peter!
If you like what you see here don't hesitate to
send him a thanks
as well.
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