What does/doesn't go in a character description?

Hey all,

As part of entering a script competition I have to submit character descriptions. The rules state 'Short description of your continuing characters'.

But what does this meeeeean? How short is short? I'm thinking about 1/4 of page...

What kind of info do you include? I've already written pretty comprehensive character descriptions of about 700 words each for my own reference which include appearance, childhood, relationships, romantic life & morals, occupation and hobbies & lifestyle but I'm not sure which points to pick out.

My understanding is that the descriptions should get across who the person is by detailing their looks, attitudes and relationship to the main character. Is that right?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I think it may mean you have to sum them up in a few sentences. Characters should be fully formed through the script and not require any back story for the audience.

I would guess they require this for casting? Man, 27, handsome, well dressed and smart.

Would be how they'd cast me

Oh, ok wow, that's super short. I guess it's better to err on the 'look I've told you a a bit about them' side rather than the 'look, now you have to read all this AND this AND this too' side.

Re your casting. Yes, I've always presumed that people who use an animal as their Avatar are probably the most attractive people. And those that have none, like me, just erm don't want to make others feel aesthetically intimidated..

I don't know if the competition is the BAFTA Rocliffe one, but if so they tweeted yesterday "think of it as a few lines about personalities, as well as physicality and the way they relate to others. if you can use the character descriptions as a way of showing your own humour, style and tone but don't get hung up on this". If that's any help to you!

Quote: Chickenellie @ July 22 2012, 4:17 PM BST

Oh, ok wow, that's super short. I guess it's better to err on the 'look I've told you a a bit about them' side rather than the 'look, now you have to read all this AND this AND this too' side.

Re your casting. Yes, I've always presumed that people who use an animal as their Avatar are probably the most attractive people. And those that have none, like me, just erm don't want to make others feel aesthetically intimidated..

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I don't know though, I'm just guessing. And yes, you sound smart!

Quote: Chickenellie @ July 21 2012, 5:40 PM BST

Hey all,

As part of entering a script competition I have to submit character descriptions. The rules state 'Short description of your continuing characters'.

But what does this meeeeean? How short is short? I'm thinking about 1/4 of page...

What kind of info do you include? I've already written pretty comprehensive character descriptions of about 700 words each for my own reference which include appearance, childhood, relationships, romantic life & morals, occupation and hobbies & lifestyle but I'm not sure which points to pick out.

My understanding is that the descriptions should get across who the person is by detailing their looks, attitudes and relationship to the main character. Is that right?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

View original

As it is a competition, I guess that they want to see if you can define a character and then follow it through properly in the script.

When you submit scripts to producers, mostly what they are looking for is whether or not you can write. The chances of them actually producing your script is slim, but if they are impressed with your writing you might get contracted to co-write with other scriptwriters, in which case you might have to write actions and dialogue for characters that other people defined.

But this is just guesswork on my part.