Character Development

Why so important?? Basically it is fundamental in creating a character of any type. Anyone can put on a mask and say “BOO”, but all you have is someone in a mask saying boo. If that person, looks at the mask and figures out that it is a evil clown, then they can start to act like an evil clown, but they still are missing some of the most vital information… like, what is a evil clown doing in flannel shirt, blue jeans and converse sneakers and why is he saying “BOO”? How many evil clowns do you see dressed like that and say boo?
Now with that being said, how do you develop an evil clown character that is tangible, note worthy and believable? Find out who that character is, name, personality, background, childhood, what they eat, hobbies, family, siblings, how it became the way it is, etc.

Farmers don’t give names to the animals they have to slaughter because it makes it to difficult to do kill. When they personalize that animal, it becomes more than something that is for consumption, it becomes family. A character without a name becomes nonexistent. it is not remembered, It becomes is a charade, not a being. But if you name that character and find out who it really is, it becomes alive...

So again... use the below to help your character become more than a evil clown mask.....

Character Development

Personal Stuff
Name: Alias:
Bio: Does your character have one?

If no, why?
Male or Female?
What was family and childhood like?
What is your character? Big question… Why?
What Kind of ….clown, zombie, pirate, insane, etc?
Born, Created, Living, dead or rose from dead?
How did character die/come back to life?

Brief description of character
Face or features:

Hair:
Body:

Color:
Clothes:

Shoes:

Background on character
How does your character…
Walk:

Run:
Move:

Stand:
Eat:

What or who does it like to eat?
Talk/grunt:

Express it’s self:
Sleep:

Big Question again… Why??

Body Language
What does your characters body language say?
Does it say I’m Bored, Excited, Friendly, Mad, Crazy, Sad, Downtrodden, Beaten, Bound, Etc. What your characters body language says is its background and all the above.

When in character, NEVER BREAK CHARACTER!!! If you are at a haunt, doing a show, walking down the street or even eating in front of people, stay in character.
For all the others you work with, it affects them as well. No one wants to be working on getting ready for the next scare and slow Joe walks up to them and starts a conversation. Save the talk for after the event or tell them to go back to their scene. Be professional, set an example and be the example!!!

Where does it fit??
You have your character; did you do your homework on where this character can be used?? Let’s say you have a nice Vampire Character. Where can it be used...? It can be used in a Vampire scene, Grave Yard or Queue line. Fine, but what about, say a Dead hobo…. Grave yard maybe… but can it be used in multiple places..? Just something to think about when developing your character and try to remember that some people go all out to improve and develop the character they are doing, so give those people the respect by staying in your character. Depending on what Haunt you are at, think of who you are and why you are who you are? Does that character fit that haunt or who you really are???

“The absence of ones character affects the character of all who participate.”
Quote by Keith Newsome 2008