As a noob, I don't know what the best option is with placing character bios. Are they expected to be in-line as action elements? Or do you place in in a separate cast sheet? Is it enough to just describe them physically or do you need the back story as well? I attached an example of both options on my pilot. And I'm fully expecting the answer is "neither." :D Thanks in advance for your help!
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The way that I was taught is to keep the description of characters vague in-line. You don't want to crowd up the action with too much description, especially because a director and casting agent may change the look for the production. Only include what is needed to distinguish the characters, then move on. I think;)
That's how I've always done it. Then I do Character Break-downs in a separate document that is part of my "Series Bible" when I'm creating my TV Series.
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Not quite 'neither', but close. Use the detailed character bio as a writer's tool to help you get to know & understand 'em better. In the script a brief visual is all that's needed so that the reader, Casting & Director know how to visualize the character. The character's true being will become evident to the audience as the storyline plays out.
I like the example with the blocky text... I'd do that if I was sure I wasn't going to be fired off the project. (lol, Michael Mann writes that way). Otherwise, no for both, especially spec writing.
The page format looks like a stage play with CAP words and wide dialogue margins.
thanks for the advice!
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Hi David, Something as simple as "Leroy, the truck stop handyman and Oklahoma born and raised, is peering through an open wall panel. He's Unbothered by the fact that his butt crack peeks over his dirt stained pants". Sometimes action can give us an indication of what type of person they are. Remember, only write what people can see. Like Doug said, use their background history as a guide to help you create dialogue and action. That is what I've learned.
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I just did what I should have done before even posting this... i went and read finished pilots, specifically Newsradio (IMO, one of the better multi-cam pilots out there) and 30 Rock. (The BEST sitcom pilot IMO) Caught my formatting mistakes as well.
Thanks Barry! He had a lot to work with!
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The second option. You do not want to clog up the script with blocks of character description. You can give some hints, and a brief physical description, but the rest has to come naturally from what happens and the dialogue.
As an example, the first meeting with my two main characters:
Panos, quietly good-looking and obviously fit, but not hip like the others, enters and looks around, a bit uncomfortable and shy.
He spots NIKOS [mid-30s], who is talking animatedly with someone and laughing.