Introduction
For this exercise, I will be using questions derived from a Masterclass on writing, but the information is still highly effective for an acting context.
Writing Character Development: 45 Questions to Ask Your Characters - 2024 - MasterClass
As I answer these questions, they will allow me to develop a greater understanding of my character, and thus display the things I learn about her in my performance.
The Questions
Physical Appearance (the parts of it that are not determined by the actor)
1. How do they style their hair?
Practical yet elegant, usually half up half down or fully down. (Claw Grip OR Simple White Bow)
2. What kind of clothing do they wear?
Smart casual leaning towards smart. 2000s fashion for Harvard region (Boston, Massachusetts)
3. Do they wear makeup? What sort?
Minimal but noticeable, adds definition to the face and colour to the lips/eyes.
4. Do they consider themselves fat or skinny?
She must maintain a healthy medium weight (firm and trimmed, masculine), and uses her clothing to flatter her. (Stress eater??)
Background and Lifestyle
1. Where were they born?
The wealthy uptown district of a town in Boston. As such, her family's accents are much more clipped than the downtown drawl.
2. Who are their parents?
Her mother is a doctor (surgeon) and her father a lawyer, same as his father and his father...
3. Where do they live?
In an expensive district, with clear finery, but nothing of lavishness or extravagance.
4. What do they do for a living?
After graduating from Harvard Law, she trains and works for the Peace Corps (in script).
5. What is their greatest achievement?
Championing the debate team in state competitions.
6. What's the most embarrassing thing that has happened to them?
Her mother caught her trying on a flowery dress once before they were going to a family gathering, when she was instructed to dress smart. She thought she had more time than was provided to get ready, so she thought she could try it on and get into her actual suit before her mother arrived... And, instead of making her change, or erupting in fury, her mother did something much worse... She dragged little Vivienne by the wrist and took her to the event as she was, letting everyone stare at her and chuckle behind their wine glasses.
7. When was the first time they fell in love?
Looking back, I don't think she's ever actually been in love... her relationship with Warner was more of a pairing of friendship and familial convenience.
8. What is their biggest secret?
9. What is their greatest regret?
Not standing up to her parents in her younger years, she had no true social life in her younger years because her parents forced her into their gatherings and all of her extracurriculars on top of her schoolwork.
10. Do they have any bad habits?
Just general stims to release excess tension and energy... which she has a lot of. Some of these habits can be self-destructive, but she never does anything in a place where it cannot be easily covered up. She paints her nails or wears false ones so that she can't bite or pick at them anymore etc.
Relationships
1. Who do they consider their closest friend or best friend?
While she had good friends, she didn't feel fully connected with any of them because of how much of herself she would hold back... However, I believe she ended up bonding quite strongly with Paulette after the events of the show, having reminded her so strongly of her aunt. Enid,too, heavily encouraged her to follow her aim of training for and joining the Peace Corps.
2. Do they have a romantic partner?
Nooooooope.
3. Which family members are they close with?
She has an aunt, her father's sister, that is relatively outcast from the rest of the family due to her more alternative fashion and lifestyle... but young Vivienne secretly idolised her freedom and her unabashed femininity.
4. Who do they share their deepest secrets with?
Same as before, her aunt was the only one who didn't look at her down their nose when she was more carefree and preferred the simpler aspects of life...
5. Do they have any co-workers they're close with? Any they can't stand?
6. Who do they trust? Who don't they trust?
7. Who would they turn to for help?
That isn't really an option, unless you mean scouring books and the Internet until she finds the answer.
8. What is their relationship like with their parents?
Her parents are heavy on success culture and valuing a more complicated lifestyle to show depth of character. these values, along with a rather dated view of toxic masculine traits, mean that an impression is made on her from an early age that distance and stoicism were things to be revered.
Thoughts and Emotions
1. What is their ''spirit animal''?
2. What are their biggest pet peeves?
3. Do they consider themselves an introvert or extrovert?
4. What does perfect happiness look like to them?
5. What is their greatest fear? What keeps them up at night?
6. Are they a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty kind of person?
The glass is evenly balanced, no biases are needed.
Other Development Methods
Music
Another way I get into the mindset and experiences of a character is by making them a playlist based on songs I think they would relate to. Here is a link to my work in progress!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OLexq6nFFDBhVq989yLW9?si=STG3ZuOrRVSmJ8slEQ_9pw
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