Sudden "change" in your thinking

lalyil · Apr 29, 2013

I've been writing this script for many months now, I can't write too much at a time normally because of.. well, life. Uni/work etc.

When I write I often imagine certain actors for the roles, I don't really describe my characters' physically, except for major trademarks. But I do see one actor in mind for a character and it influences the way the character comes across, behaves, talks... but only to some extent of course (since the character is still an individual and completely independent from said actor).

Lately the weirdest thing happened to me, and the way I always imagined my MC has changed. More so, I now imagine him as another actor. Halfway trough the script. I'm going to go back and add/change things that seem right, I want to let this idea of him influence me too since now this actor seems more fitting.

But I do wonder if others work the same way and if such a change ever occurred to any of you.

ricetalks · May 26, 2013

My character will change sometimes as I am writing and as I get to "know" him or her better. But, for the most part, I will write a character profile until I see them or know who they are clearly in my mind.

I never think of an actor doing the part. I always think of the person I am creating; who they are, what type of person they are, etc.

lalyil · May 26, 2013

I always imagine an actor. FYI, it can be a deceased actor or an actor who's much older than my character but I imagine his younger version. I suppose it helps me bring more into the character since that actor already has some way of expressing himself and suits my needs.
And when that image changes to another actor - that character changes for me fully. I'm still planning on actually going back and editing the character a little to fit with how I see it now.

I also wrote character pages - But since then I've changed two of the characters completely. One was actually merged with another character (and I'm actually keeping both names for it) and another had that actor change.

It's weird how they literally have a life of their own and I feel like I have no say in it.

PaulyWally · May 26, 2013

Sometimes I envision specific actors, sometimes I create characters out of thin air. But I've always experienced a morphing throughout the process - both in plot and in characters.

IMO, a story is a living thing while you're writing it. It moves, grows, and changes as you write it. It's usually a necessity, and shouldn't be fought; but it's never a bad idea to continue evaluating as you go. If a character is changing before your eyes, that's normal. Just make sure he/she is staying in harmony with the story.

gambit924 · May 26, 2013

I actually do that quite often, but I don't let it get in the way of the actual character creation. The way I figure is, I'm the writer, I have to create the character the way I see fit. He's the actor, he has to meld to the role, not meld the role to his personality. The character is an individual of his own. It is certainly alright to imagine an actor, as I said, I do it. It is not however okay to make that character into the actor. If that makes any sense, lol.

Cornelius Gault · May 26, 2013

I posted this idea in another thread already, but I pick one or two actors that represent my main characters. I include a picture in their "bio" sheet to keep their personalities in mind. I also pick traits from those actors (in specific roles) and create a list of traits, which also enables me to remember my character.

lalyil · May 27, 2013

Honestly, I'm happy to see characters change during the process for others too lol it felt a little like a burden at first, since I know I have to edit things I've already written too that don't suit his persona anymore. But yeah in a way, I guess the character wanted that change

Cornelius, adding pictures for later on is a great idea. I actually got a picture of said actor now that is exactly how I pictured my character which helped me envision some more scenes so I guess I'll save it for later. Interesting that you pick two actors at times..

Sudden "change" in your thinking

lalyil

The Lukewarm

ricetalks

lalyil

The Lukewarm

PaulyWally

gambit924

Cornelius Gault

New writer since 07/2012.

lalyil

The Lukewarm