Character development

Ali completed the following character development profile on how we wanted our character to be:


CHARACTER NAME: Simon Green
AGE: 22
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Clumsy, well-meaning Simon can’t seem to find the right girl for him, but is it something to do with his overenthusiastic romantic gestures?

What do you know about this character now that s/he doesn’t yet know? Hattie, who he thinks is his girlfriend, and who he plans to propose to, isn’t his girlfriend at all.
What is this character’s greatest flaw? Serial hopeless romantic. Freaks girls out with what comes across as weird, obsessive behaviour.
What do you know about this character that s/he would never admit? Believes every girl he meets is “the one”, but forgets as soon as he meets another girl.
What is this character’s greatest asset? Affectionate and caring to those around him.
If this character could choose a different identity, who would s/he be? He kind of wishes he was James Bond, but in reality he’d be far too scared to do such a dangerous job.
What music does this character sing to when no one else is around? The soundtracks from the Shrek movies are the most played songs on his iTunes.
In what or whom does this character have the greatest faith? Cookie Crisp cereal.
What is this character’s favourite movie? It’s a tie between Love Actually and The Notebook, but if his mates ask, it’s Saving Private Ryan.
Does this character have a favourite article of clothing? Favourite shoes? He very rarely takes off his hat.
Does this character have a vice? Name it. He drinks far too much coffee, so most of the time he’s buzzing with energy.
Name this character’s favourite person (living or dead). Brian Badonde.
What is this character’s secret wish? That he was shorter.
What is this character’s proudest achievement? Finding all the golden eggs on Angry Birds.
Describe this character’s most embarrassing moment. When he was 16, he called his headteacher “mum” during an awards ceremony in front of the whole school.
What is this character’s deepest regret? He wishes he’d taken History A Level instead of French. He hated French, but his form tutor convinced him to study it.
What is this character’s greatest fear? Pigeons.
Describe this character’s most devastating moment. All the moments in which girls have rejected his advances. He soon becomes distracted by another girl though.
What is this character’s greatest achievement? So far, none of the girls who have been the focus of his obsessive affection have ever slapped him.
What is this character’s greatest hope? That his parents will get on – but he knows it won’t happen.
Does this character have an obsession? Name it. Girls. Usually girls who don’t like him back.
What is this character’s greatest disappointment? His cooking ability. The first thing he tried to cook in his new flat was instant noodles, and he burnt them.
What is this character’s worst nightmare? Being dumped by a girl in front of all his mates.
Whom does this character most wish to please? Why? The majority of the attractive female population, so he can find a pretty girl to show off to the world.
Describe this character’s mother. Fiery-tempered, she spends a lot of time shouting at her husband. She runs her house like an angry tornado, but it’s always spotless.
Describe this character’s father. A quiet, repressed, short man who tries to stay out of his wife’s way, he doesn’t talk to Simon often, just to ask him to pass the ketchup.
If s/he had to choose, with whom would this character prefer to live? He lives on his own currently, and he likes it that way (although he wouldn’t say no to some company).
Where does this character fall in birth order? What effect does this have? He is an only child, conceived out of wedlock, and the cause of his parents’ marriage. He serves as a constant reminder of their loveless marriage so they avoid him the majority of the time.
Describe this character’s siblings or other close relatives. Simon’s best friend is his cousin, Alex. Alex is very shy though, so they usually just play Halo 3 together on his xbox while Simon’s auntie knocks on the door every five seconds to offer them more orange squash.
Describe this character’s bedroom. Include three cherished items. He has a shoebox under his bed filled with romantic mementoes (like phone numbers scribbled on napkins and forgotten underpants) which he adds to frequently, a goldfish called Kevin who lives on his bedside table, and all the Desperate Housewives box sets (hidden in the bottom of his wardrobe).
What is this character’s birth date? 3rd June 1989.
If this character had to live in seclusion for six months, what six items would s/he bring? If you asked him, he would tell you “five girls and an 8th”, but in reality he really wouldn’t know what to do with five girls: he’d smoke the 8th, then sit in a corner and cry.
Why is this character angry? His 32-inch flat screen TV blew up and he can’t afford a new one.
What calms this character? Weed, and raspberry jelly.
Describe a recurring dream or nightmare this character might have. He has a nightmare where he is an ice-cream man in a world where everyone is fatally allergic to ice-cream.
List the choices (not circumstances) that led this character to his/her current predicament. He met Hattie at a party, and has been obsessing about her ever since.
List the circumstances over which this character has no control. He hopes his landlord won’t find out he has Kevin the goldfish living in his flat.
What wakes this character in the middle of the night? His next-door neighbours having extremely loud sexual intercourse to Barry White.
How would a stranger describe this character? Full of energy, looks younger than he is, outgoing and friendly.
What does this character resolve to do differently every morning? His hair, but he always ends up wearing his hat.
Who depends on this character? Why? His neighbour from across the hall, Dave, is always borrowing his milk. Simon is sceptical as to whether Dave ever actually buys any milk.
If this character knew s/he had exactly one month to live, what would s/he do? He’d like to think that he’d go clubbing every night to try and pick up as many girls as he can, but he’d probably spend most of it getting high in his room and watching nature documentaries.
How would a dear friend or relative describe this character? What is this character’s most noticeable physical attribute? His cheeky smile, which never leaves his face.
What is this character hiding from him/herself? He is secretly scared that he will never find the right girl to settle down with.
Write one additional thing about your character. His favourite animal is a shark.