Planning - Characterisation vs. Character

Creating a complex and diverse character is essential in the success of any film. There are two important aspects:

Characterisation: This refers to how the character behaves externally.
E.g:

• What they wear
• How they talk
• Do they have a twitch? etc

All of these little characterisations can contribute to the character's perseption.

Character: This refers to the character's internal bahaviour. Such as their true beliefs and opinions and how they would act in pressurised situations.

This is outlined in Robert Mckee's book 'Story' as he explains that Characterisation is "the sum of all observable qualities of a human being". He also goes on to say that "TRUE CHARACTER is revealed in the choices a human being makes under pressure - the greater the pressure the deeper the reveation the truer the choice to the character's essential nature."

Therefore within my Character design I need to concentrate on the "TRUE CHARACTER" which allows my film to be more sophisticated rather than just the Characterisations.

Another thing which Robert Mckee outlined in his book was the "Character Arc". This describes how the character's perception is changed through the revelation of the person's "TRUE CHARACTER". For example in 'The Vedrdict' protagonist Frank Galvin appears as a Boston attorney dressed in a three-piece suit. Unfairly handsome. These characterisations imply he's an upper-class/well off businesses man. However throughout the screenplay the characterisations are peeled back to reveal a corrupt bankrupt self-destructive irretrievable drunk who hasn't won a case in years. The character has not changed it is just how the film has developed out understandiong of him through his actions that has allowed us to see further into his character.