20 Steps in Building a Character

Hi all! 

I got these questions from one of my instructors (Anna Winget) for a playwrighting project, they are good questions for you to ask yourself as your build your characters for The Odd Couple.

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1. Give a one word initial impression. (ex. charming)

2. What animal is the character like and why?

3. What color is the character like and why?

4. What three words describe the character's personality?

5. What does the character look like?

6. How does the character talk? (laconic - garrulous - articulate - semi-literate?)

7. What does he/she sound like? (quality of voice; accent)

8. From what region of the country or world is the character and what influence did that region have?

9. What period of time influenced the character most and why?

10. What is the character's personal philosophy?

11. Describe the character's family?

12. Who inspired the character? (that is, who influenced them?)

13. Who traumatized the character?

14. What is their job? What is their dream job and why?

15. Who is the character's best friend or friends and why? (Who are they closest to?)

16. (a) What does the character want to accomplish in his/her outer world and why?

16. (b) What does the character need spiritually/emotionally?

16. (c) What are they willing to do to get what s/he wants?

17. (a) What are his/her positive traits?

17. (b) What are his/her negative traits?

18. What is the character afraid of and why?

19. What is the character's secret?

20. What does s/he need (by the end of the story) to have a more fulfilling personal life? Spiritual life?