I write this under the jam of Quantic Soul Orchestra. Even though i don't like traditional jazz. So I'm writing about a 5 episode script for a show I named "Frenetic Hyper" or FH. I take a long time to create a show, usually it takes about a year for it to fully develop. I have to create these meaningfull characters. Its hard to convey their feeling on paper than when voice acting. So I have to write in extra dialogue to explain whats happening, which I feel is inefficient and boring. So we come up to Character Development. A previous post explains what characters to avoid, so now I'll show examples of characters made. Realistic vs Stereotype We had a good discussion on this in the animation board about characters being stereotypical. I have written a script where I try to make the characters as realistic as possible but its not the greatest for entertainment. It works well in Gilmore Girls. So I'd usually recommend characters to avoid the stereotype but we still need it to define a character. EMO: In FH, I used this lifestyle for a character. So Its generally a lanky sort of tall guy with puffy curly hair and constantly looking down(sterotype). Who is easily startled (realistic?) when things don't go his way, and the world changes from what he's used to... Then he often gets fustrated at this problem, but he doesn't show it publically (realistic) So this is a brief short description on how he acts. Using EMO as the basis for his actions, and shyness and fustration and stress to make him more realistic. Now not many cartoons have joined in on this character type, since its fairly new (cartoons get a 3-4 years in development so they don't catch up as quickly) Notes: My Gym Partner is A Monkey has one character that can be stereotypically considered emo, but not realistically emo.
Wild Crazy Guy: In FH, Frenetic, is a character who generally acts unpredictable (realistic) and will do things without thinking (cliché?). He has a mysterious past, which will probably not be uncovered much (cliché). He will flirt with anything that walks (realistic/stereotype) and often times thinks he's the best looking in the room (stereotype). He doesn't act concieted or cocky though(realistic), just confident. Now almost every cartoon/anime has this type of character. Its really the wild ones who are generally dumb, or have one set stereotype that they must follow. Notes: Eddy from Ed,Edd,Eddy, typically isn't considered the crazy guy but sometimes is wild enough to do anything for a profit.(stereotype) His whole purpose for money in every episode is to buy jawbreakers.( overused plot element) Inuyasha, from Inuyasha, is pretty spontaneous and gets jealous quick (realistic) but is torn between two lovers (realistic). He often does things out of impulse and gets into fights really quick (stereotype) then fights often (stereotype), then is often seen as the dumb one in the group (stereotype) because he will just go into a battle without analyzing the situation. (overused plot element)
So from these two examples, its better to mix stereotype with realistic elements. If you leave a character in one stereotype all the time, you will get one plot element they must fulfill in every episode (ed edd & eddy) that can get redundant. In Any case If your working on a original script for cartoon/anime send me a episode.
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