McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Cure for Writer's Block: Character casting

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LizW65:
Unfortunately all the people in models.com are too modern looking for my story, which is set shortly after WW2, but I did find a Vargas illustration and an image from an old Sears catalogue which almost perfectly embody my protagonist.

Does anyone else "cast" their characters with living actors?  I cast Jack Black and Dean Stockwell as a couple of secondary characters, but I'm afraid to do that with my protagonists as I feel it will be too limiting.

THETA:

--- Quote from: LizW65 on August 04, 2008, 11:53:04 AM ---Does anyone else "cast" their characters with living actors?  I cast Jack Black and Dean Stockwell as a couple of secondary characters, but I'm afraid to do that with my protagonists as I feel it will be too limiting.

--- End quote ---

I haven't yet gone for an A-list actor, but for my most current work i've chosen two smaller, somewhat known TV actors.  Hell, by doing so i solidified who my characters were.  Before i choose names i call my characters by a certain archetype or their plot function like "goofey boyfriend" or "chatty bad guy", but when you associate a face or an actor with your character its more easy to go, "Oh yes, they're like this person, but this is what makes them mine".  They can never be copies.  Their motivations will be different and backgrounds, so i don't find it limiting.

Starbeam:

--- Quote from: LizW65 on August 04, 2008, 11:53:04 AM ---Unfortunately all the people in models.com are too modern looking for my story, which is set shortly after WW2, but I did find a Vargas illustration and an image from an old Sears catalogue which almost perfectly embody my protagonist.

Does anyone else "cast" their characters with living actors?  I cast Jack Black and Dean Stockwell as a couple of secondary characters, but I'm afraid to do that with my protagonists as I feel it will be too limiting.

--- End quote ---

I don't exactly cast my characters, but more I take notice of actors that fit the description in either looks/attitude, and keep that in mind.  It helps me get a better visual, and  then if I can't figure out how to describe something, I can look online or at movies they were in.



--- Quote from: konstantine23 on August 01, 2008, 07:44:18 AM ---I have had a few friends over the past few years that are aspiring writers. All but one use role play in breaking their block. Seems to work quite nicely for them.
...Most of them being highschool boys writing about exploisons and gun fights though...

--- End quote ---

Don't know if you mean role play as in table gaming/mmos, or as in acting out the action they're trying to write, but the latter seems to be a common thing.  Patricia Briggs and a few other authors have said they do that, and at the panel, they asked the audience, and a large number of em raised their hands.  It's a real good way to get an idea of how well something will work out.  Which reminds me, I need to get my sword outta my car for that kinda thing.

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