Getting into character...

[fusangite]

I, for one, work exactly like fusangite, and have played very varied characters.

The thing to remember is that I (and probably fusangite) don't make up everything as we go. I do have a basic framework (human rogue, 23 years old, untrusting of authorities, maybe a couple more things). But then through the first few sessions, I -react- a bit more then I act. That shapes my character.

Thanks for this barak. We have much in common.

All I will add is that this process may sometimes cause you to junk something you thought was just part of the framework but doesn't fit anymore now that your character has taken on more definition. The advantage of not stating this in writing or out loud initially is that you leave yourself more room to do this.

 

[wayne62682]

Oh yeah, and what does "dominant" mean to you? Self-assured or something else?

I'll have to check that stuff out.. thanks!

To me, "dominant" is a personality type that makes others do something even if they may not want to... forcefully persuading them so they don't or can't fight back.

 

[DungeonMaester]

> I have lots ideas for getting into character, but one rule which more often then not, really gets every into playing there character- Dont be afriad to LARP! Yeah, thats right. I said it. Act your your characters in the game, rather then just explaining what they are doing, this gets really fun in battle, (provided that you are not at a game store or somehting to that like.) Acting and responding in real time can be a little difficult, but is always rewarding for the role playinng.

Sorry for any typos in adavance.

---Rusty

 

[Moon-Lancer]

this may seem strange, but I actually practice my character in the car when driving places. None can hear me, and i feel like I am in a security bubble, so I don’t feel awkward. In order to be able to role-play well though, You have to free yourself of what others think of you. I normally don’t like over the top characters, i tend to like role-playing by over emphasizing emotion and practice my old English accents, However to get the group into role-playing, you may want to play a extreme character. Something that really lets you do all kinds of wacky with your voice. If you make the character fun enough, others wont beable to help but join in. Also if they wont role-play, have your character make fun of their out of character talking. Role-play your combat as well. I find it really gets people in the mood if you describe your attacks with alot of enthusiasm. Its importent to get the group in a role-playing mood, or it becomes hard on yourself and is a strain to stay in character. How the dm sets up the game also can effect how you role-play. Some dms just don’t know how to set up a good atmosphere or ample time to role-play.

the larp idea is a really good one as well. you dont need all the time, but doing so when your charicter does is awsome of awsome attacks, it can energize everyone around you.

 

[Barak]

I don't agree at all, fusangite, although I appreciate your input and views on the subject.

To me, the art of roleplaying IS like acting in a play; I come up with a concept and a personality.. something that I feel I can act out at the gaming table, and work it from there as though it was a real person; I adapt as I see the character adapting to life situations (i.e. the adventures and campaign), but there has to be the framework to start. Otherwise it's like being told to act a character that you know nothing about.. how can you play someone who has no motivation, nothing to distinguish exactly who they are?

A character without a backstory or personality may as well be a two-dimensional videogame persona.

It's not like in a play, though, and you shouldn't approach your PC like it's a character in one.

Say you are preparing to play Hamlet in.. Hamlet. You can get in the character, know how he thinks, get into how he reacts to different things that happen into the play, like meeting the ghost of your father.

Say you did all that, then, the night of the performance, all the other actors played a slightly different play, and rather than meet the ghost of your dad. you learn that your dad wasn't really your dad, and that Othello (from a totally different play!) really sired you. Oh boy.

All your preparation was for nothing. Worse, it worked you up to something that didn't actually happened. That's what RPing is like. Instead of concentrating so much on backstory, concentrate on personality, and leave room for the first few game sessions to put in their own. You can have a basic backstory your character believes, but that isn't that important.

 

[Ranger REG]

I'm wondering what you do to help get into character and roleplay, because I sure need all the help I can get to do it effectively.

Honestly?

Join a drama club (high school or college) or a drama workshop in your area.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

d&d is drama without a script. You still have a charicter to play, but you can have that charicter be rewrten as the game goes on.

no absolutes. Its about half and half.

 

[DungeonMaester]

the larp idea is a really good one as well. you dont need all the time, but doing so when your charicter does is awsome of awsome attacks, it can energize everyone around you.

Doing a live action, real time (ish) D&D was the best for our group. When you have a long weekend, and bit of booze and a good camping area, it cant be beat! Doing (larp) In the park is also acceptable.

Sorry for any typos in adavance.

---Rusty

 

[Aus_Snow]

I don't agree at all, fusangite, although I appreciate your input and views on the subject.

Neither do I and same here, respectively.

The most useful thing that I've done, with regards to being in character for roleplaying games, is theatre training. Things like theatre sports, 'roleplaying' (funnily enough) and so on - just having done this kind of activity has helped a great deal.

Or in other words, what Ranger REG said. But wherever it happens to be, through any kind of group, it might just be the thing.

 

[Glyfair]

One thing to consider is that perhaps you are delving too far into the "improvisation acting" area of roleplaying. You may feel that's the "proper" way to roleplay, but if you are having issues with it in practice, then maybe it's not quite right for you. See if you can tone your expectations down a bit, without abandoning the general idea.

There was an article in Dragon years ago that described the "Vicarious Participator" school of roleplaying. Basically, it dealt with a style of play where you treatithe character more as an extension of yourself than a completely different personality. While I doubt you want exactly this, maybe move closer on the scale to this. Don't be so ambitious with your character's personalities. Put more of yourself into the character, so you can focus on the differences without everything being a difference.

After all, athletes don't start their training by stretching to the full limits they want to reach. They start small and work up to it. Skills like acting should be similiar. You'll develop them better by not overreaching.

Try using the KISS principle. Find a few simple hooks for your character that you use that are simple. When you start using them then you'll find yourself falling into character more easily, rather than trying to jump into complete character immediately. Maybe you gesture with a wand in character, and use your pen or pencil as a prop regularly. Maybe you have a catchphrase you use a lot (for a recent example in the news, "Crikey!"). Maybe you have an affectation like always repeating part of a sentence ("I am running for my life, I am").