Let's Talk about back stories...
Why is it important?
A character’s Back story is very important in animation. It gives your character some depth and makes a more well-rounded character. Character development in a back story forms a “blueprint” of your character’s past, present and future.
What’s a good way to start a backstory for my character?
A good way to start is to pull out some paper or notepad and brainstorm. Think in general. Simple terms first, the add details, using the research you have done and your resources. Toss out the things that might not fit. The genre can and will dictate some of these, but it’s good to see what you can come up with.
Ask yourself?
The Past:
1) Where were your character born and raised?
2) Who were your family or guardians? Siblings?
3) How did your “family” and upbringing influence your character’s childhood?
4) What had your character learned through education and childhood?
5) What major events and/or people growing up help shape your character?
6) What has your character done since growing up?
Recent Past/Present:
1) What has your character done recently prior to being “active” in the game?
2) What does your character actually “do” for a living?
3) How would your character explain it to a stranger if he/she had to?
4) What is your character’s present mental/emotional/physical state?
5) What is your character’s world view, beliefs and/or mindset?
6) What is your character’s morals or values?
7) What are your character’s quirks, merits, flaws and/or character traits?
8) What are your character’s likes/loves and dislikes/hates?
9) What does your character do well? Doesn’t do well?
10) What does your character do when “off the clock”?
11) How does your character speak (dialects, accents, etc.) to others?
12) Does your character use certain expressions or words, if any?
The Future:
1) What are your character’s short term goals?
2) What are your character’s long term goals?
3) What motivates or drives your character?
4) How “social” will your character be when interacting with others, if at all?
5) How would you like your character to be remembered? Does it matter?
Backstory Tips:
Back story Example
Name: Tatelyn (Tate)
Character Description: This young man is in his early twenties, sporting a short beard and grey eyes. A trace of a thin scar is evident on his left cheek. We is wearing green-dyed leather armor, black belt and high boots and has a short sword hung from his baldric.
Back story: “Tate” grew up near the village of Werth, not too far from the capitol. He’s fairly educated and came from a good family, although he’s had a taste for getting himself in over his head as a child. His Uncle Norhan told him stories of adventures and such, which got him “curious” about seeking fame and fortune.
When he was fifteen, he decided to explore the Blightwood Forest near his home, where he was grazed on his left cheek by a small bear. Since then he’s slowed down “a little” in his ways as part of the town militia, if there’s something exciting to do and he gets wind of it, he’ll definitely pitch in.
Now in his twenties, he’s a bit more respectful towards the wild. He doesn't like being called Tatelyn, his given name – and is first to correct someone using it, except his parents. In his belt pouch, he carries a locket he found with a drawing of a rather attractive young girl and the word “Anna” in styled calligraphy.
Perhaps he can find out who she is, who knows?
A character’s Back story is very important in animation. It gives your character some depth and makes a more well-rounded character. Character development in a back story forms a “blueprint” of your character’s past, present and future.
What’s a good way to start a backstory for my character?
A good way to start is to pull out some paper or notepad and brainstorm. Think in general. Simple terms first, the add details, using the research you have done and your resources. Toss out the things that might not fit. The genre can and will dictate some of these, but it’s good to see what you can come up with.
Ask yourself?
The Past:
1) Where were your character born and raised?
2) Who were your family or guardians? Siblings?
3) How did your “family” and upbringing influence your character’s childhood?
4) What had your character learned through education and childhood?
5) What major events and/or people growing up help shape your character?
6) What has your character done since growing up?
Recent Past/Present:
1) What has your character done recently prior to being “active” in the game?
2) What does your character actually “do” for a living?
3) How would your character explain it to a stranger if he/she had to?
4) What is your character’s present mental/emotional/physical state?
5) What is your character’s world view, beliefs and/or mindset?
6) What is your character’s morals or values?
7) What are your character’s quirks, merits, flaws and/or character traits?
8) What are your character’s likes/loves and dislikes/hates?
9) What does your character do well? Doesn’t do well?
10) What does your character do when “off the clock”?
11) How does your character speak (dialects, accents, etc.) to others?
12) Does your character use certain expressions or words, if any?
The Future:
1) What are your character’s short term goals?
2) What are your character’s long term goals?
3) What motivates or drives your character?
4) How “social” will your character be when interacting with others, if at all?
5) How would you like your character to be remembered? Does it matter?
Backstory Tips:
- Use the lore to help you with research and the details.
- If your game offers different races and/or nationalities, find out more about them. Doing so can really help with fleshing out your character’s details.
- For most games, keep your “brushes with fame” at a minimum.
- Same goes for relatives, friends and related. Being the “love child” of a main character or “close buds” with a major storyline character tends to be looked down upon.
- Forge your own path, not copy someone else’s. It’s ok to borrow and adapt a favorite character’s backstory from another source – but don’t “steal” it. Make your own unique character and use your imagination.
- Don’t go overboard, keep it simple. It’s like using spices: Sometimes a dash is better than a handful.
- Not everything will fit sometimes. That’s normal, so don’t feel discouraged.
- If you don’t know something that might be crucial, start digging and asking reliable sources/people to fill in the blanks.
- If you think your character’s backstory sounds weird, recheck your lore or get a second opinion. If it still sounds weird, it needs more work.
- Remember: Even “regular” folks can be great heroes.
Back story Example
Name: Tatelyn (Tate)
Character Description: This young man is in his early twenties, sporting a short beard and grey eyes. A trace of a thin scar is evident on his left cheek. We is wearing green-dyed leather armor, black belt and high boots and has a short sword hung from his baldric.
Back story: “Tate” grew up near the village of Werth, not too far from the capitol. He’s fairly educated and came from a good family, although he’s had a taste for getting himself in over his head as a child. His Uncle Norhan told him stories of adventures and such, which got him “curious” about seeking fame and fortune.
When he was fifteen, he decided to explore the Blightwood Forest near his home, where he was grazed on his left cheek by a small bear. Since then he’s slowed down “a little” in his ways as part of the town militia, if there’s something exciting to do and he gets wind of it, he’ll definitely pitch in.
Now in his twenties, he’s a bit more respectful towards the wild. He doesn't like being called Tatelyn, his given name – and is first to correct someone using it, except his parents. In his belt pouch, he carries a locket he found with a drawing of a rather attractive young girl and the word “Anna” in styled calligraphy.
Perhaps he can find out who she is, who knows?
Helpful links
Thanks RPmadesimple.com for some of the information...