— What are the shifting allegiances in your character’s life?
— Does he feel pressured by other people or circumstances?
What are your character’s hard choices? Crises? Urgent decisions? How does he
react differently from the norm?
— Values. What’s important to your character?
— How does he feel about the past? What in past situations have specifically affected
the important choices he is making in this story?
— What are your character’s current circumstances (rich/poor, good luck/bad luck)?
What effect do these things have?
What current threats exist in your character’s life?
What opportunities does he have?
— How does your character feel about the future?- Situation
— How did your character get involved in this situation?
— What about his background or personality made him get involved?
— What kinds of changes has your character been going through?
Birth of a child? New brother or sister?
Marriage? New stepmother or stepfather?
Death in the family?
A major move?A major school or job change?
— What external or internal stresses is your character facing?- Birthplace
- Ethnic background (when needed, research for authenticity) and any cultural
baggage? - Social/economic/political/cultural background and current status (research)
- Education
- Occupation—research well if he has one. Values derived from the work (an
accountant vs. an actress)
— Pace, stress factors, other characteristics of the job - Lifestyle
- Family
64 Animation Writing and Development