I posted this question in the screenwriting lounge, but I thought this would be a good place to.
I finished the first draft of a script which has in it a 17 year-old-girl with DID (multiple personalities disorder). I'm getting ready to do my first revision and I was thinking about whether or not I should add some mannerism to hint at what alt-personality might be present. (Four of the seven personalities manifest themselves in the script). If you remember the red color in Sixth Sense - something like that but with character. Then I wondered if it might be better just to let the actress (if it ever gets made) to do her own thing with the different characters. Producers, directors, actors, other screenwriters, any thoughts?Acting : Characterization question by Steven M. Cross
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Steven M. Cross I'm no expert but personal opinion would be to write it in just to have something to go off of. In some cases really good actors who love the script will perform traits that you didn't know your character had. It's a neat symbiosis of talents collaborating to reveal the truth of your characters.
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Hi, Steven,
As an actress by trade and a side scriptwriter, I am in two minds about your question. As an actress, I like a little guidance in the script in order to develop the character but as a scriptwriter, I do find that sometimes I put too much description in how to deliver lines etc or the actions of the characters as they speaking their lines.
I would discuss in general thoughts on character together with asking actors what they think of spoken dialogue, is what they say how character really feels? Could there be any physical action subtext/opposite to what they say? Etc etc. I’m in favour of actors using imagination, their lateral thinking may produce spontaneous non cliche gems BUT mine the script well before going free flow improvisation. Key words are useful for creating general umbrella Eg Quirky academic, Psychotic loner, Depressed new mum etc. Eg A quirky academic may finger/foot tap in tourette mode on furniture or themselves, psychotic loner may hide in corner and peer ominously at others, depressed new mum may cry and hide under table. I enjoy both guiding and allowing actors space if there’s time to do so on the set.
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You need to talk with Sarah G. Baron - she's been studying this subject and could really help you! https://www.stage32.com/SarahGabrielleBaronAlso, I feel like unless the mannerism is pivotal to the story/plot (like Verbal's walk for The Usual Suspects), then let the actor figure that out for themselves.
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I think it is a goid idea to add a hint or two about what might be coming, is a good idea. It builds up suspense towards the climax without giving away too much prematurity. Leave the rest to the actress. Let us know how it goes.
Rohit, I kind of start with character too.
I pose this question some time ago regarding my own script. It is a difficult one! Personally, as an actor, I love to put my own spin on my characters but it does help to get some guidance from the script as well. With mental disorders especially DID, it is useful to have guidance on which personalities the character have as this removes any confusion and also ensures that the character is played to the scriptwriter's intentions. Hope this helps!