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When developing characters, it is important to understand (or create) the background story for your character. This information may be found during script analysis (in what we refer to as ‘the given circumstances’) or through context investigation research you undertake. However, if this information is not available you may need to use your imagination and create a background for your character/s based on what they say or do, as well as what the other characters say about them.
As an actor, you need to understand your characters TRAITS (Internal and External), OBJECTIVES, MOTIVATION AND STATUS. Once you understand these aspects, you will be able to apply ACTING SKILLS to appropriately convey the INTENDED MEANING. Creating a character profile helps you to do this as it requires you to think about why your character behaves in particular ways.
TRAITS
Distinguishing features or qualities of a character in a play are referred to as traits. These can be EXTERNAL (physical appearance, such as how the character looks or how the character is dressed), or INTERNAL (such as the character's thoughts, temperament, disposition, emotions, and feeling).
OBJECTIVES
A character's objective is sometimes referred to as the 'wants' of the character the 'goal' - meaning what the character wants to happen or achieve. Another way to think of objectives is to consider the character's goal. Characters may not always achieve their objective, but watching if they will is what holds the audience's interest.
MOTIVATION
A character's motivation is linked to their objective. Where the objective is the 'what do they want', the motivation is the 'why do they want it'. Usually a character has an overriding motive which drives their actions throughout the play or a particular scene. A character can have more than one motive within a play and often they may have varying motives depending on the different situations within it.
STATUS
Status refers to the position of power one character has in relation to another/others within the general cultural world of the play. Status can be determined by factors including rank, personality traits, education and intelligence, physical strength, wealth, and physical traits. The two broad terms often used to define status are:
high status - meaning the character has power or control over others
low status - meaning that character is subservient to one or more characters
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