Thanks for being a part of Your SitCom Coach - Maggie Reed. Here's your first free gift. Please enjoy
The Character & Script Analysis Worksheet in the preparation of your next role.
CHARACTER & SCRIPT ANALYSIS WORKSHEET
Be extremely specific in your answers, using your imagination if clues from the script are insufficient.
Explore how your character FEELS about each answer.
Keep asking questions from the moment of your first audition until you have wrapped the project.
"You" = your character.
WHO are you? (Name, age, etc. Answer the more detailed WHO questions below.)
WHOM do you know in this scene and how are you related?
WHERE were you before this scene?
WHERE does the scene take place? Draw a floor plan of the furniture, lighting, props, etc.
How does your character feel about everything in this space?
WHERE are you going after this scene?
WHEN - What time of year/day is it?
How long have you had an association with this place?
How long does your character expect to be there?
WHAT is the EVENT of the scene? What literally happens in the scene?
WHAT specifically were you doing right before this scene (Moment Before)?
Are you expecting this scene to happen?
WHAT is your action in the scene/what are you doing?
WHAT is keeping you here in this scene?
HOW do you feel about what you’re doing/where you are?
WHY are you there?
Detailed WHO questions
(Answer from your character's perspective)
What is your profession?
Have you always wanted to be in this profession, in this position, making the salary you make?
How did you get this job?
Do you do it well?
Where do you excel?
Where do you fall short?
How long have you been doing it?
Do you enjoy doing it?
Why are you still doing it, if you do not enjoy it?
What did you think this job would be?
What did it turn out to be?
If money were no object, what would be the ideal profession and dream life for you?
Where do you do this job?
How do you get to work and how long does it take to get there?
What kind of car do you have?
What does your home look like?
What's your style in clothing, home decorating, traveling, etc.?
What kind of music do you like?
Do you have hobbies?
What matters to you?
What is your morning routine?
What is your evening routine?
What is your home life like?
Who are your family members?
Do you have pets?
What animal would you be?
What is your sex life like? Are you happy with it? If not, how would you like it to be different?
Who are your friends?
What is your social life like?
What is your greatest desire or dream for your life?
What is your greatest fear?
What is your greatest joy?
Are you living a life you love, i.e. where you want to be in relation to career, relationships, etc. and if not,
what's holding you back from having that life?
What are the secrets that you keep to yourself?
What makes you gain a feeling of importance?
What triggers the following emotions in you:
1. Happiness
2. Sadness
3. Fear
4. Anger
5. Loneliness
TWO IMPORTANT TASKS:
1. After EACH of your character's scripted lines, write down what your character WISHES the other character would SAY or DO, after EACH of your lines. Not what s/he EXPECTS them to say or do, but, rather, what s/he WISHES they would say or do.
2. Always ask yourself at the end of each line, "Why doesn't my character leave? What's keeping her/him there?"
Thanks to Constantin Stanislavski, Michael Kahn, Stephen Book, Stephen Tobolowsky, & Michael J. Marlowe for their inspiration & contributions to these questions.