bybren-llc Character Interview Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
- Creating new characters for a screenplay
- Deepening understanding of existing characters
- Building character backstory and motivation
- Developing character voice and mannerisms
Interview Philosophy
Grab a couple of drinks, maybe make dinner and get ready to interview the character you are about to create for your screenplay. These questions will help you get to know your characters on a one-to-one basis, even if the exact information never shows up in your script.
As the God of your world that you created in your script, these questions will help you build a foundation and develop the characters you've created.
Tip: Put the questions and answers on index cards or divide each character separately. This will help create a backstory for each character later.
The 80 Character Interview Questions
Background (Questions 1-10)
- What year were they born in and where?
- What is their favorite color?
- What type of birth did they have?
- What makes them laugh?
- What makes them sad?
- What makes them angry?
- What makes them cry?
- How do they make a living?
- How do they feel about their mother?
- How do they feel about their father?
Preferences (Questions 11-20)
- What sport(s) do they love to play?
- What sport(s) do they love to watch?
- What is their favorite movie?
- What is their favorite music?
- What is their favorite TV show?
- What is their favorite beverage?
- What is their favorite food?
- What is their political affiliation?
- Do they gamble?
- Do they have kids?
Relationships (Questions 21-30)
- Do they like kids?
- Are they married?
- Have they ever been married?
- Do they believe in marriage?
- What religion are they?
- The most exciting thing that happened to them?
- The most traumatic thing that happened to them?
- What type of house or apartment do they live in?
- How is their house or apartment furnished?
- Do they have any physical diseases?
Psychology (Questions 31-40)
- Do they have any physical disabilities?
- Have they ever been in love? With whom and when?
- Where and when was their first sexual encounter?
- What one thing about the world would you change?
- What was their most recent dream?
- Do they smoke or drink alcohol?
- Do they use drugs?
- What are three character flaws?
- What is their goal in life?
- What is their strongest physical attribute?
Self-Image (Questions 41-50)
- What do they like most about their body?
- What do they like least about themselves?
- Who in the world would they change places with?
- Who do they idolize?
- Who do they worship?
- Are they aggressive?
- Are they passive?
- Do they read the newspaper?
- Do they read books?
- Do they read magazines?
Personality (Questions 51-60)
- Who is their favorite actor and/or actress?
- What animal would they choose to be?
- How do they dress?
- How do they show or protect their feelings?
- How do they feel about death?
- How do they get along with other people?
- How did their father influence them?
- Their mother?
- Their siblings?
- Do they have a brother and/or sister?
History (Questions 61-70)
- Was their childhood strict? Lenient?
- Were they overprotected? Rejected? Loved?
- What was their family's economic status?
- Are they smart? Intelligent? Savvy? Slow-witted?
- Did they go to high school? College?
- Did they like school? Their teachers, classmates?
- Do they travel? Where? Why?
- Do they have friends? Who? Why? How'd they meet?
- What are their hobbies? Interests?
- Do they daydream? Worry? Stress?
Worldview (Questions 71-80)
- What is their outlook on life? Positive? Negative?
- How do they deal with hostility? Negativity? Ridicule?
- What is their health like?
- What is their self-image?
- How do they feel about their size? Looks? Weight?
- What's their voice like? Shrill? High? Low?
- How do they act? Impulsive or self-controlled?
- Are they energetic? Sluggish?
- Do they work out?
- How do they feel about the opposite sex? Same sex?
Character Dossier Template
# Character Dossier: [CHARACTER NAME]
## Basic Information
- **Full Name**:
- **Nickname**:
- **Age/DOB**:
- **Birthplace**:
- **Current Residence**:
- **Occupation**:
## Physical Description
- **Height/Build**:
- **Distinguishing Features**:
- **Voice Quality**:
- **Dress Style**:
## Background
- **Family**:
- **Education**:
- **Economic Status**:
- **Defining Childhood Experience**:
## Psychology
- **Greatest Fear**:
- **Deepest Desire**:
- **Core Belief**:
- **Fatal Flaw**:
- **Greatest Strength**:
## Relationships
- **Romantic History**:
- **Key Friendships**:
- **Family Dynamics**:
- **Enemies/Rivals**:
## Story Function
- **Role in Story**: (Protagonist/Antagonist/Supporting)
- **Want**: (External goal)
- **Need**: (Internal growth required)
- **Arc**: (How they change)
Theophrastus Character Types
Reference these 18 classical character archetypes (370-287 BC):
- The Ironical (Sarcastic) - Uses irony as defense
- The Flatterer - Excessive praise to gain favor
- The Chatterer - Cannot stop talking
- The Boor - Crude, uncultured behavior
- Anxious to Please - Desperate for approval
- Outcast - Outside of society
- Shameless - No sense of propriety
- Stingy Person - Excessive frugality
- Detestable Person - Universally disliked
- Untimely Person - Bad timing always
- Overdoing It - Excessive in all things
- Hostile Person - Combative nature
- The Boaster - Exaggerates accomplishments
- Arrogance Person - Believes superiority
- Cowardly Person - Avoids all conflict
- The Late Learner - Learns lessons too late
- Greedy Person - Never satisfied
- Authoritarian - Must control everything
Character Naming Guidelines
- Names contribute to individual personalities
- Names should be realistic for culture, beliefs, way of life
- Nicknames can hide embarrassing real names or project false bravado
- Avoid KILLER #1, KILLER#2 - use ONE EYED KILLER, FAT KILLER
- Don't use names hard to pronounce - it's distracting
- Don't give female characters male names - it confuses readers
Examples:
- MR. PAISLEY - kindly shoemaker
- JOEY - regular kind of guy
- NICKY - hard working guy
- ROCKO - tough guy image
- DOMINO - sexy in a dangerous way
Validation Checklist
- Answered core questions for each main character
- Backstory explains present motivations
- Character has clear want (external) and need (internal)
- Identified character's fatal flaw
- Name fits character's personality and culture
- Voice and mannerisms are distinct