I have a question. I'm writing a biography based on a memoir. It follows the lead character from age 4 all the way to age 60. Is there a rule of thumb on what ages each actor would play the character from and to? Age 4 through 8? Then 9 through 12? I don't know! Also, how do you name them in the script? YOUNG JAN, (let's say Jan is her name), TEEN JAN, YOUNG ADULT JAN, and the just JAN when she's at her oldest age? Just curious how you would approach it. Thanks!
Screenwriting : Tracking a Lead Character from Young to Older by Maureen Mahon
Tracking a Lead Character from Young to Older
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
2 people like this
Hi, Maureen Mahon. I don't know the answer to your first question, but I'd probably label the characters as JAN (AGE 4), JAN (AGE 5), and so on.
1 person likes this
Maurice Vaughan thanks! The only problem with that is that it needs to be clear to the casting director, and everyone else, how many actresses will be portraying Jan, so we need to specify that "YOUNG JAN" (for instance is Jan from age 4 to 8), maybe "TWEEN JAN"? from 9 to 12, "TEEN JAN" from 13 to 18?...I don't know. Hahaha!
You're welcome, Maureen Mahon. I think the way you wrote it will be fine.
4 people like this
I think YOUNG JAN, TEEN JAN, YOUNG ADULT JAN, then just JAN also works. Either your way or Maurice's way could work fine. Would make sure to try to add some visual texture to the character in all their iterations along the way so the audience can see physically and understand more deeply who she is as she grows up
3 people like this
Thank you for posting this question. I have two screenplays I'm working on that have a similar situation and the answer you got helps out a lot.
Good luck on your writing. :)
1 person likes this
Adrian Long thanks! I'm still waiting for a more definitive answer - if there is one. :-)
2 people like this
Great question Maureen Mahon
3 people like this
Hi Maureen Mahon. You don't have to worry about the actors and what ages they would play. That's up to the producer, director and casting director. Just write the script as you see it in your mind. That problem will be solved when you sell it.
1 person likes this
The actors have to know which age the character they are playing and you have to give them different names like you posted. I think reading Back to the Future screenplay is a good example of that type of senerial.
Dan Guardino thank you. I agree it needs to be defined in the script. I'll check out that script and some others that have characters at different ages.