Character Bio and Scripty things...

sanjanamisha
Apr 11, 2016
3 min read

Lets get the boring bit done first because it is unfortunately very useful..

Answer all set questions. Complete the following questions and tasks to help develop your understanding of your character:

What sort of language does your character use? For example, does the character use formal or informal language? Use examples from your script and rehearsals to support your answer.
My character uses modern colloquial language. I have made her to be a little bit tipsy in the scene which is why she has uses informal language. The use of 'Mum' and 'Dad' in the script suggests this.
What does the rhythm of the character’s speech tell you about the energy of the character? Use examples from your script and rehearsals to support your answer.
The rhythm of my character's speech tells me that she feels a lot of hate towards her mum. This is evident when she says that her dad made her mum suffer for what she did. "This is whats he did to him".
Subtext is the meaning behind the line. Sometimes the meaning is obvious; at other times it is subtler. In performance, our selective use of body language and timing helps make the subtext more apparent to the character’s lines. What thoughts lie behind your character’s lines? What body language, gestures, poses and mannerisms, for example, will you use to communicate the character’s subtext?
" My mother fell ill. Fits. Sometimes she hid in the attic, sometimes she went into the garden. Sometimes she never even came back at night." During this line i feel like my character is trying to hint that her mother was not actually ill. She used to pretend to be ill so she could go out to meet her 'lover'.
Are there any pauses in the character’s dialogue? If so, what thoughts lie behind the pauses? How long should the pauses be held? Why? What impact do the pauses have on the mood and atmosphere of the dramatic meaning?
My script does not clearly indicate many pauses, however there is one section where my character stops to drink. However, I have changed that and made it so that she is drinking at often intervals to change the pace of the monologue a bit.
What does the character say about themselves? What information do they give away about their relationship with other characters? What does this say about your character?
My script is about my character describing her childhood and her beliefs. She is telling Jean, who is her love interest int his play about how her conniving mother took everything away form her father. She does however put it in a way which shows respect towards her mother in a certain way. She believes in the strong ideals of being a woman however she also craves attention from the opposite sex.
What is your character’s status in relation to the other characters? What evidence from the script can you find to support your opinion?
My character is superior to Jean in this play as he is her valet. However, she falls in love with him and does not see herself as greater than him. She sees them as equals which is why it is hard to distinguish the character difference in this scene.
Complete these questions:

Who am I?

My name is Julie and I am the main protagonist in this play.
I am 25 years old
Slightly tipsy

Where am I?

I am in my living room
It is summer but the air conditioning in my house is turned on

When is it ?

It is night time after I have come back from work
Current time period

What do I want?

Main objective: To educate Jean about my life and let him know that my life has not always been a luxury.
Tactics: I make myself seem strong and powerful. With the help of the alcohol I gain a little too much confidence and do not hold back feelings.

What obstacles do I face?

Throughout the play Julie is misunderstood is finally sent to her death.
In this particular scene: Julie is struggling to relive her childhood memories however the alcohol is helping her gain some confidence and courage.

What is at stake?