Characters

It seems that after the COD period, focused on trigger happy killing, more and more games have started to focus on a story driven element.

Some games, such as Heavy Rain, have even gone so far as to have a completely story driven game where you control multiple characters actions. The game is basically like watching a film but the player gets to decide upon the outcome, resulting in multiple endings and fair amount of replay value. Except for the start however where you’re just responsible for hauling the guys arse out of bed and brushing his teeth.

Characters are what drives a story forward, whether in books, TV or films. The personalities created can make the viewer feel all kinds of emotion towards them.

Some of my favourite characters I’ve encountered come from the film ‘This is England’ and 86’ the mini TV series which followed. The plot tells the story of a 12 year old boy Shaun, raised alone by his mother during the Thatcher period. Having a hard time at school, Shaun joins Woody and his skin head friends and is essentially adopted by them.

All is going well until Combo, the darker, more political side to the gang returns from jail and re assumes his place.

Woody represents the happier side of the skinhead movement, up for having a laugh and listening to SKA. Compared to combo who is the grim underbelly representing all the negatives of the skinhead movement.

Shaun looks up to combo, idolising his strength and power as he quickly becomes a figure of authority due to his sudden & dramatic entrance. Soon Shaun starts to follow in his footsteps. Mimicking his every move, spray painting racist slogans, attending political rallies and issuing threats to Pakistani shop keepers. Totally unaware of his actions and events which would later unfold.

Milkyyyyyy noooooooooo :’(

The film is mainly a story of coming of age and a great depiction of right wing nationalism which emerged from the Thatcher years.

Great characters don’t always have to be nice. One of my all-time favourites is Jules Winnfield played by Samuel Jackson in the movie pulp Fiction. Killing shouldn’t be cool, especially not whilst quoting the bible . Actually no this scene was on scale of epic proportions.

Each character in this film represents a different way of viewing the world. Jules’s perspective is from spirituality. He make decisions based on his innate feelings, causing a lot of arguments with his parter Vince who takes a more logical approach.

When a hiding gunman emerges from a door, fires at them and misses all 6 shots, Jules disagrees with Vince’s logic, arguing this is an act of god, divine intervention. Causing him to leave this lifestyle and seek redemption.

So what makes a good character? Script, acting, appearance?

Well I think I combination of all 3. How’s that for sitting on the fence. I’m actually surrounded by 3 fences and don’t know which one to jump over.

Well If an actor’s appearance suits the part they play, not necessarily acting like the stereotype of what the media expects them to be… but can adapt to the role they have been given and act realistically to the situation, then a believable character can come from it.

And decent characters don’t even have to have that many lines… Let’s take The Terminator for example. His script is so small and yet an amazing character has come from it. Making the Terminator utterly terrifying and seemingly invincible.

Just if youd like to know, Mr Schwarzenegger for fact made $7.1 million per word! throughout the terminator series. Not bad ay.

I think that stories from real situations makes for better story telling. Creating believable characters from events which once took place can make the audience relate to them and make them think, what would I do in that situation. Or WWJD ahaha. But yeah this doesn’t necessarily just mean dramas, but can include thrillers, action and war films. Band of Brothers - I’ll say no more.