(Before we start, I'd like to request that you don't re-distribute this stuff anywhere else. They took me a lot of time to make, so please just leave 'em alone, kk? Thanks!)

 

My favorite part about putting on a costume is becoming someone else. Now, how do you build a different- well, person?

First, you're going to need a name. (duh) If you going with a character that already exists and has a pretty good background already (i.e. Harry Potter, Chauvelin, Sir Percy, etc) you're set. If you're like me and like to either a) take a character with no real set background (i.e any of the 'CATS' characters) and give them a background, b) take an already existing minor character (i.e. Marie, Angelina Johnson, Penelope Clearwater, etc) and give them a background, or c) to create totally new people and give them a background, here's some easy steps to follow.


1. Name. If you're creating someone new and don't know a good name, I fully suggest www.behindthename.com They've got hundreds upon hundreds of name, meanings, twin names, English names, French names, Irish names, and on and on. I use this site constantly for rpg characters and fanfic characters.
2. Physical appearance. Figure out what color hair they have is pretty much all this is if you're going to be dressing up as a character, but for rpgs and the like, figure out what color their eyes are, fat/thin (hooray for the 25 Pounders!!) tall/short, etc, etc, etc.. :0)
3. Personality. Usually, I'll take one of those e-mail personality quizzes and answer it in character. Here's the one I did for Katie Bell. Figure out what you character's like. My characters are usually based in part on me, so they're all theater nuts. Give em a quirk! Mary Sues are tiring and overdone. Give them some faults.
4. Family. Is your character married/dating? Who are their parents? Do they know who their parents are? Do they have siblings? (For the sake of mankind, don't make them like my siblings)
5. How to they move? I know it's a weird question, but how do they walk? Do they throw out their chest? Do they swing their hips? Have fun with it!

6. Occupation. What do they do? What do they like to do? Write? Sing? Fingerpaint on the wall? Make it fun!

Most important of all, make them YOUR character.

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This page © by Shannon Murray, July 2002