Marilyn Atlas C 2002
“Who are My Characters?”
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Name:
Sex:
Age:
Physical Appearance:
How does this character feel about the way he or she looks?
Describe the characters childhood in terms of
a. Relationship to parents
b. Relationship to siblings
c. Relationship to other key people in his or her youth
d. Lifestyle while growing up
e. Education
f. Childhood activities (hobbies, interests)
g. Location (s) where he or she grew up
Describe the character’s education during and after high school, as well as any military service
Describe the character’s current relationship to:
a. Parents
b. Siblings
c. Other key people from his or her work
Describe the character’s romantic life (married? Involved?) and any relevant background (e.g.,
pervious marriage, affairs)
Describe the character’s sex life and moral beliefs.
Does the character have kids? If so, describe his or her relationship with them. If not, describe
their attitude toward children.
What is the character’s background and current religious beliefs?
What is the character’s occupation?
Describe the character’s relationship to his or her boss and coworkers.
How does the character fell about his or her job?
What are the character’s hobbies or non-work activities?
Describe the character’s philosophy on life.
Describe the character’s political views.
Sum up main aspects of the character’s personality, including whether he or she is an optimist or a
pessimist, an introvert or an extrovert, and so forth.
What is the character proud of?
What is the character ashamed of?
Describe the character’s state of health.
How intelligent is the character?
Summarize the character’s relationship to other major characters in the screenplay.
What is the character’s goal in the script?
Why does he or she want to achieve this goal?
Who or what is trying to stop this character form reaching the goal? Why?
What strengths of this character will help him or her to reach the goal? What weaknesses will hold
him or her back?
How articulate is this character?
Does the character have an accent or dialect? (If so, describe it.)
Does the character use slang or professional jargon? (If so, describe it.)
What does a stranger first notice about your character?
***What is your character afraid of? This could be anything from a minor humiliation to being
vaporized by Hostiles. (More people fear public speaking than death.)
What does your character like best about him/herself? What does your character like least?
If your character had to pursue a different occupation, what would it be?
What is the human quality that your character most admires?
What is your character’s dearest material possession?
Marilyn Atlas C 2002
38. ***What does you character want?
a. Money, power, respect, love, travel?
39. How far will your character go to get it?
a. Lie, cheat steal?
40. ***What does the character need?
a. Food, shelter, love, social status?
41. For whom would your character break the law?
a. Spouse, child, parents, lover, no one?
42. Does your character have a sense of humor?
a. Plays practical jokes, verbal wit, favorite comedian
43. List your character’s favorite leisure activity.
a. Drink, gamble, be friends with, museums, movies?
44. What accidents has your character had?
a. Any visible signs or limitations?
45. To what is your character most vulnerable?
a. Plight of loved ones, animals, strangers
46. About what does your character feel guilty? (even if it’s long in past)
a. A cruelty, serious lie, betrayal or infidelity
47. Has your character ever been the victim of a crime?
48. How does your character feel about his or her environment?
49. What are your character’s personal quirks?
50. What would his or her friends like to change about your character?
a. Stubborn, unreliable, impatient, swears to excess, temper
51. Who is the protagonist’s best friend, and why?
52. Who is the protagonist’s arch enemy?