2. What is characterisation?
• Characterisation is where the film can reveal the personality of a character
involved (can be revealed through direct or indirect characterisation).
• Direct - tells the audience the personality of a character
• Indirect – shows the audience things that can reveal the personality of the
character, usually through these five things:
Speech What does the say? How does the character talk (eg high pitch
voice)?
Thoughts What information can be revealed through the characters
thoughts?
Effect on others How do other characters feel when they're with them? How do
other characters behave?
Actions What does the character do? How do they behave?
Looks How do they look? How do they dress?
3. Example ONE – Se7en
This film is an example of Indirect characterisation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEq-4fua3lM
The opening sequence to this film explores characterisation in an indirect way by slowly revealing some attributes of the
character in subtle ways by showing his actions. His actions (such as the image of books and him writing) suggest to the
audience that this may be crucial part in the film. This is an effective way of characterisation.
4. Example TWO – Mean girls
This is an example of both direct and indirect characterisation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o12xm3q38TA
This scene in the movie Mean girls also has an effective way of characterisation. It involves both indirect and
direct characterisation. The two characters are discussing the plastics (which also reveals information about their
character) whilst camera shots are being shown of the plastics showing their physical attributes.
5. Example THREE – Mean girls opening
An example of indirect characterisation
This films opening sequence involves an example of indirect characterisation. This means that as an audience we
are being told information about that character (such as her being home schooled) which may be an important
part of the film to come.
CLICK TO WATCH
https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=5Q
TXzM3wPRw
6. Protagonists – Sky Fall
A protagonist is the main character in films. In many films the protagonist is usually the known as the ‘good guy’.
Protagonists play and important role in all films and all genres of films. They are usually established the beginning
of films through characterisation. Examples of protagonists in popular movies are James Bond, Superman, Harry
Potter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDXdhA-Z3-o
7. Antagonists – The Goonies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Gu5klAlo
An antagonist is commonly known as the ‘bad guy’ in many movies.
In this opening sequence the antagonist is shown in one of the first shots, to give the audience an understand of who is good
and who is bad. The antagonist is shown to be ‘the bad guy’ immediately through the mise-en-scene of the police station. The
other antagonists are also show through the indirect characterisation of their actions, voices, looks and effect on others.
Famous antagonists include, the joker, Voldemort and Darth Vader .
8. Our film’s characterisation
The characterisation in our film is portrayed in a subtle and indirect way. We chose to show it indirectly to create the
sense of mystery, as they do not know all of the information about what may happen through the character –
however they are still getting the connection through the character by knowing his setting (bedroom and bathroom)
and also his routine when he wakes up.
