Who are you? Why are you here? Where are you going? What do you want?
These three questions have been brought home very much to me over the last few days. Not in a bad or tragic real life way, but in an entertainment way that gave me some insights into these questions and character evolution.
My boyfriend Lloyd borrowed the first two season boxed-sets of "Babylon 5" to watch, and I can see why he loves the show so much. There is a definite sense of continuity and each episode feels like it is supposed to follow the previous one, and at the same time, lay groundwork for following episodes. Not even "Firefly" can make that claim as completely and thoroughly as "Babylon 5".
The signal episode, which is on disc 4 of the second season, "In the shadow of Z'Ha'Dum" brought these questions home to me. In this episode, Morden, who is in the employ of the Shadows (( read the BAD guys, and believe me, you need the capitals )) asks Vir Kotto (( wonderfully played by Stepehn Furst )) "what do you want?" Vir uses the question to challenge Morden, to grow into himself, and to point out that although the Centauri are building their empire again, some people question the price of empire, and the cost of secrets. This leads back for me to character development and evolution.
The best development of a character is with a rich tapestry and carefully paced revelation and background development. This can be presented in any way that feels right, but you must also be willing to take a few chances along the way. For my example here, we go back to StarWyng again. I like the character, a lot. In a way I identify with her and her problems with not knowing where she came from or what is changing in her. Her personality has shifted as we have gamed, and those that have put up with my experimentations with her I cannot thank enough for sticking with me as I try and explore who/why/what StarWyng is.
Pacing and revelation are the two important points I pulled from watching B-5. Allow things to flow and let the current dictate where the revelations come, and lt your friends share and enjoy them with you. You don't force them to experience, you let them choose to share, and that is what truly makes the magic in character growth. Be sure too, when you grow, leave room for the others to grow with you, as when their characters have these changes and revelations, they are sharing some precious part of themselves with you, because they trust you to share it, support it, and have fun with them.
But back to our original line of thought. Revelation and pacing is a two-headed beast. Writing out signal points in the development, like making a skeleton for a story, is a good thing to do in my mind. It keeps you focused on the character and keeps you within them, and part of the process. At the same time, spontaneity and improvisation are essential, as someone or some situation may hand you a true epiphany and if you are not willing to think on your feet and seize these opportunities, you may lose a wonderful chance to see your character grow in ways you never dreamed.
This is all very vague, as there is no ONE formula that works for everyone. It is a matter of experimentation and improvisation, and continual change. What might be a good idea early on may become unworkable as an idea as the character grows, so flexibility is essential. This is a story, one that is acted out as the character grows, rather than being written down. The result is the same though.
My boyfriend Lloyd borrowed the first two season boxed-sets of "Babylon 5" to watch, and I can see why he loves the show so much. There is a definite sense of continuity and each episode feels like it is supposed to follow the previous one, and at the same time, lay groundwork for following episodes. Not even "Firefly" can make that claim as completely and thoroughly as "Babylon 5".
The signal episode, which is on disc 4 of the second season, "In the shadow of Z'Ha'Dum" brought these questions home to me. In this episode, Morden, who is in the employ of the Shadows (( read the BAD guys, and believe me, you need the capitals )) asks Vir Kotto (( wonderfully played by Stepehn Furst )) "what do you want?" Vir uses the question to challenge Morden, to grow into himself, and to point out that although the Centauri are building their empire again, some people question the price of empire, and the cost of secrets. This leads back for me to character development and evolution.
The best development of a character is with a rich tapestry and carefully paced revelation and background development. This can be presented in any way that feels right, but you must also be willing to take a few chances along the way. For my example here, we go back to StarWyng again. I like the character, a lot. In a way I identify with her and her problems with not knowing where she came from or what is changing in her. Her personality has shifted as we have gamed, and those that have put up with my experimentations with her I cannot thank enough for sticking with me as I try and explore who/why/what StarWyng is.
Pacing and revelation are the two important points I pulled from watching B-5. Allow things to flow and let the current dictate where the revelations come, and lt your friends share and enjoy them with you. You don't force them to experience, you let them choose to share, and that is what truly makes the magic in character growth. Be sure too, when you grow, leave room for the others to grow with you, as when their characters have these changes and revelations, they are sharing some precious part of themselves with you, because they trust you to share it, support it, and have fun with them.
But back to our original line of thought. Revelation and pacing is a two-headed beast. Writing out signal points in the development, like making a skeleton for a story, is a good thing to do in my mind. It keeps you focused on the character and keeps you within them, and part of the process. At the same time, spontaneity and improvisation are essential, as someone or some situation may hand you a true epiphany and if you are not willing to think on your feet and seize these opportunities, you may lose a wonderful chance to see your character grow in ways you never dreamed.
This is all very vague, as there is no ONE formula that works for everyone. It is a matter of experimentation and improvisation, and continual change. What might be a good idea early on may become unworkable as an idea as the character grows, so flexibility is essential. This is a story, one that is acted out as the character grows, rather than being written down. The result is the same though.
posted by JD at
1:59:00 PM
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