Looks

An actor brings his/her features and personality to your hero. But you will choose the type of the make-up, hair length and style… If it’s a man, does he have a mustache or stubble? And if it’s a woman, how do you imagine her? It’s your decision.

For all exercises related to creating the characters, we suggest you use the character cards in the “Project” module

Example Louis is short and fat. His chubby-fingered hands are often crossed across his stomach, as if to protect it. A black lock of hair is brushed across his otherwise bald head. Around his waist, on a cord, hangs a large bunch of keys. He is the monastery intendant!

EXERCISE 10 Precisely describe how your hero looks.

Nothing in a film is left to chance. Every little element plays a part in the account you give of a story. The way your character looks says a lot about his/her life, experience, origins, personality, social class and tastes. A wise man has a beard or he isn’t wise, a pirate always has a tan, stubble and a scar across his face!

HELP When in doubt, proceed by trial and error.

With or without a mustache? Why a mustache? What was the fashion in those days? Who had a mustache in those days? Does it make him look more serious? Or does it make him look more severe?

With or without hair? What is the significance of cutting hair short or letting it grow in your character’s world?

With or without a scar? A war wound can disfigure a character and make it frightening, or to the contrary, if it is in the right place, a scar can make the character look heroic and reveal his/her fighting experience, or maybe even vulnerability.