Acting : Characterization question by Steven M. Cross

Steven M. Cross I'm no expert but personal opinion would be to write it in just to have something to go off of. In some cases really good actors who love the script will perform traits that you didn't know your character had. It's a neat symbiosis of talents collaborating to reveal the truth of your characters.

Hi, Steven,

As an actress by trade and a side scriptwriter, I am in two minds about your question. As an actress, I like a little guidance in the script in order to develop the character but as a scriptwriter, I do find that sometimes I put too much description in how to deliver lines etc or the actions of the characters as they speaking their lines.

I would discuss in general thoughts on character together with asking actors what they think of spoken dialogue, is what they say how character really feels? Could there be any physical action subtext/opposite to what they say? Etc etc. I’m in favour of actors using imagination, their lateral thinking may produce spontaneous non cliche gems BUT mine the script well before going free flow improvisation. Key words are useful for creating general umbrella Eg Quirky academic, Psychotic loner, Depressed new mum etc. Eg A quirky academic may finger/foot tap in tourette mode on furniture or themselves, psychotic loner may hide in corner and peer ominously at others, depressed new mum may cry and hide under table. I enjoy both guiding and allowing actors space if there’s time to do so on the set.

You need to talk with Sarah G. Baron - she's been studying this subject and could really help you! https://www.stage32.com/SarahGabrielleBaronAlso, I feel like unless the mannerism is pivotal to the story/plot (like Verbal's walk for The Usual Suspects), then let the actor figure that out for themselves.

I think it is a goid idea to add a hint or two about what might be coming, is a good idea. It builds up suspense towards the climax without giving away too much prematurity. Leave the rest to the actress. Let us know how it goes.

For me, I often try to first think about the character and then write a story around that character. Everyone is different. But my approach is first see story through the eyes of character, study how they are, what's their inner behavior compared to the visual/outwardly behaviour they build experiencing the life's situation. Now because of the experiences they are facing they carry around a physical personality traits which slowly builds because of the present moment or something not healthy situation.

Now in your case, you already built a script, so to refine your draft to bring back the character nuances, I would say, try to make a list of mannerism DID patients have in common and see where the inciting incident , midpoint, or those areas you can represent those character constraints.

Make sure the character changes mannerism suiting the right mood for the story and character arc you are writing. hope that helps. And Karen "Kay" Ross already referred a person, so I think she can give you more insights into DID personality.

Hope my inputs helped a tiny bit.

Rohit, I kind of start with character too.

Steven M. Cross I saw a documentary of DID long time ago. May be you can pick up the traits suitable to your story if it matches. Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iHJfIH20TY

I pose this question some time ago regarding my own script. It is a difficult one! Personally, as an actor, I love to put my own spin on my characters but it does help to get some guidance from the script as well. With mental disorders especially DID, it is useful to have guidance on which personalities the character have as this removes any confusion and also ensures that the character is played to the scriptwriter's intentions. Hope this helps!