_________________________________________
     /     -RP: Start of Character Seminar-    \
     |           -September 19, 1998-          |
     |  Recorded & Edited by Aubrey McMichaels |
     \___http://pages.prodigy.net/aubreymcm/___/

         Modus Operandi - The Third Degree
                  Forum Listings

 Date          Host(s)        Topic
---------------------------------------------------------

 9.19 at 1:00 Eastern
               Siri Macallan  The Start of Character


[The Portmanteau Club, Sitting Room]
The scent of gardenias lingers in this room, pushing away the odors of the
 street outside.  A brace of wide, chintz covered couches face each other
 across the narrow bounds of a ring-marked coffee table, and armchairs
 gather around a many-branched reading lamp.  You also see an archway, an
 ashcan and a swinging door.
Also in the room: People
Obvious exits: none.


Siri Macallan came through an archway.
Siri Macallan exclaims, "Morning!"
Siri Macallan says, "For the purpose of today's discussion this room will be
 OOC."
Siri Macallan says, "It's too hard to talk about building character when
 you're in a character."
Siri Macallan says, "Let me drag my blackboard in, and we can start."
Siri Macallan drags in a large blackboard and sets up in front of the radio.

[The Portmanteau Club, Sitting Room]
The scent of gardenias lingers in this room, pushing away the odors of the
 street outside.  A brace of wide, chintz covered couches face each other
 across the narrow bounds of a ring-marked coffee table, and armchairs
 gather around a many-branched reading lamp.  You also see a large
 blackboard, an archway, an ashcan and a swinging door.
Also in the room: More People
Obvious exits: none.

This large black board has notes scribbled all over it.  Why don't you READ
 it?
It reads...
Character Development:

The basics -
(Visible Traits)
  Name
  Age
  Habits and Patterns
  Talents and Abilities/Profession and Skills
  Physicality - Appearance and Demeanor

(Non-Visible Traits)
  History
  Past Reputation
  Stereotypes
  Past and Present Network
  Ideologies
  Education

Questions to Ask Yourself:
  Why??
  Yes or No??

Questions others will ask about your character:
  So what?
  Oh yeah?
  Huh?

NB: Most info given in the first two seminars has been taken from Orson
 Scott Card's book, "Character and Viewpoint", or from Erick Wujcik and
 Roger Zelazny's book Amber Diceless Role-Playing(tm)".

Siri Macallan says, "This is my favorite topic..."
Siri Macallan says, "I spent half of my college education trying to learn
 how Character Creation works, both through English and through Theatre."
Siri Macallan says, "Since that time, I've always been involved in some sort
 of RPing... whether it was tabletop, or online."
Siri Macallan says, "And occassionally I still do theatre."
Siri Macallan says, "But acting and directing is a jungle, so I sort of
 avoid it."
Siri Macallan says, "I'd much rather write."
Siri Macallan says, "For the last month, the staff has been trying to come
 up with ways to decide what good RPing is."
Siri Macallan says, "And I think we all -know- what it is..."
Siri Macallan says, "The trick is how to get there."
Siri Macallan says, "It doesn't have to be flashy, wild or outrageous. 
 Mostly RPing has to do with consistency and growth."
Siri Macallan says, "In Theatre, the character is defined by the playwright
 in the form of the lines given, the director's vision of the play and the
 actor's own sense of subplot, physicality and personal life."
Siri Macallan says, "In writing, it's pretty much the same... but the author
 plays all the roles."
Siri Macallan says, "In Role-playing, development is a daily experience.  As
 in life, the more you interact with others, the more your character grows,
 expands, fleshes out."
Siri Macallan says, "Just like in life."
Siri Macallan asks, "So, how to start building a character?"
Siri Macallan says, "I know of two methods... there are probably more, but
 these are the ones I've had experience with."
Siri Macallan says, "The first one is much more freeform."
Siri Macallan says, "Start with a kernel of an idea.  A snippit of
 information that you like."
Siri Macallan says, "Then come into your game, whether it is a tabletop,
 play-by-mail or online RPG, and go throught the game's character gen
 process... just sort of picking out what you think sounds good."
Siri Macallan says, "Then you just play for a while and see how things
 settle.  If you concentrate on what the -character- says, does and thinks,
 eventually the mosaic of your character will be filled in."
Siri Macallan says, "That's the really loose way of doing it."
Siri Macallan says, "And I have to say, it's not my favorite, though I've
 done it."
Siri Macallan says, "My favorite way is to create a head."
Siri Macallan says, "Ahead."
Blaize Parker cackles gleefully.
Ichiko Daiumi giggles.
Joy Nalewi chuckles.
Siri Macallan grins.
(Jess Whiterose thinks "method")
Siri Macallan laughs!
Jess Whiterose grins.
(Armand Chascour holds up a jack o lantern with a hopeful look.)
Joy Nalewi grins.
Siri Macallan says, "So let's talk about the bits and pieces of what goes
 into a character."
Siri Macallan says, "These can be applied anywhere in the process... before
 you come into a game, after you've played for a while... whenever you want
 to dig down."
Siri Macallan says, "And you can get as detailed as you want.  Or not."
Siri Macallan says, "The point is for you to come up with a character YOU
 enjoy playing."
Siri Macallan says, "And that's my first point..."
Siri Macallan says, "LOVE your character."
Siri Macallan says, "There is no point in creating a character that has no
 redeeming feature for you."
Siri Macallan says, "You'll hate him or her, and you won't play."
Siri Macallan says, "Even rotten characters are loveable in some fashion."
Siri Macallan says, "You have to at least care about your character, or you
 wouldn't go through the efforts to build, expand, and care for what you
 create."
Siri Macallan says, "And this IS a creation process.  Building a substantial
 character is an art."
Siri Macallan says, "By the way, if you have questions that come up, go head
 and ask."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "I'm not meaning to soapbox."
Allison McGuire grins at Siri Macallan.
Kya Talure grins.
Jess Whiterose smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "The next think I do for all my characters is keep a
 bible for them."
Siri Macallan says, "Everything I've decided on from their past, and
 future... their likes, dislikes, date of birth, everything goes into the
 bible."
Siri Macallan says, "It can be as elaborate as you want, or just some notes
 to help you remember the bits and pieces."
Siri Macallan says, "This is extremely helpful if you are like me and have
 at least a dozen charcters going at any one time."
Siri Macallan says, "It also help when someone says, "Gee, what's your
 birthstone?""
Siri Macallan says, "Uh....."
Siri Macallan says, "And for the purpose of these seminars, I hope you will
 keep a bible on whatever character you create or expand on."
Siri Macallan says, "Okay... so, let's get into the nitty and gritty."
Joy Nalewi asks, "Question, but I think you might get to it later... want me
 to wait?"
Siri Macallan says, "Go ahead, Joy."
Joy Nalewi nods.
Joy Nalewi asks, "Any suggestions on how to integrate a new story into an
 existing character?"
Joy Nalewi says, "Joy really hasn't been developed, and I have a idea for a
 story, but it seems odd just to start"
Siri Macallan says, "Actually, I wasn't going to get to that... but I can. 
 If we don't have time this week, I'll put it onto next weeks session."
Joy Nalewi nods.
Joy Nalewi says, "Okay, great"
Siri Macallan scribbles a note on her paper.
Siri Macallan taps a large blackboard.

Character Development:

The basics -
(Visible Traits)
  Name
  Age
  Habits and Patterns
  Talents and Abilities/Profession and Skills
  Physicality - Appearance and Demeanor
...

Siri Macallan says, "Let's talk about Visible Traits first."
Siri Macallan says, "For me (not for everyone), the name is the cornerstone
 of the character."
Siri Macallan says, "For some people the name is like the giftwrapping... it
 just sort of adds the final polish."
Siri Macallan says, "To me, all my characters take their names pretty
 seriously."
Siri Macallan says, "And that's the first thing anyone in here will see
 about you.  Your name."
(Jess Whiterose has a hard time taking Yura Piccle seriously etc.)
Siri Macallan says, "On the basis of your name, you will be catagorized."
Siri Macallan says, "We all do it.  We listen for ethnicity, or flow, or
 silliness."
Siri Macallan says, "And often we will decide (sub)conciously who we want to
 avoid."
Siri Macallan says, "I'd avoide Yura Piccle."
Siri Macallan says, "Avoid, even."
Siri Macallan says, "So... even if you're not an avid name person, like me,
 realize that it is the first aspect which will represent you to others."
Siri Macallan says, "Names represent family ties... the name Corleone will
 give a different idea than Kennedy."
Siri Macallan says, "Names often show where you're from... Pavlova - Russia,
 Martinez - Latin/South America (possibly)..."
Siri Macallan says, "At the very least they show ethnicity, which is often a
 very powerful piece of the character puzzle."
Siri Macallan says, "They sometimes show hierarchy... Daniel ThompsonIII. 
 Billy BlakneyJr."
Jess Whiterose raises his hand.
Siri Macallan says, "Personally, those types of names drive me crazy... but
 if your family lineage is really important to your character, and you PLAY
 it that way, I wouldn't mind so much."
Siri Macallan asks, "Jess?"
Jess Whiterose says, "just a comment, ethnicity is hard to pull off for
 beginners and for long time rpers"
Siri Macallan says, "It opens a whole can of worms.  If it's not your
 personal ethnicity, then you had better do a lot of research."
Joy Nalewi says, "It drives me crazy when people try it, and don't know what
 they're talking about"
Joy Nalewi nods to Siri Macallan.
Jess Whiterose nods.
Nina Perrson chuckles.
Siri Macallan says, "Or have personal experience with the group you are
 trying to be a part of."
Siri Macallan says, "It can be very insulting to others if you don't honor
 their ethnicity by at least trying to get it right."
Siri Macallan says, "Research, research, research."
Siri Macallan says, "Sometimes names show profession... John Smith used to
 be the blacksmith of a village or town..."
Siri Macallan says, "This is very infrequent now, but it's still a nice
 character hook."
Siri Macallan says, "Jason Carver, Will Carpenter."
Siri Macallan whistles a cheerful tune.
Siri Macallan says, "I know Will isn't... but I often think that."
Joy Nalewi grins at Siri Macallan.
Siri Macallan says, "The last thing about names is their "meaning"."
Siri Macallan says, "Every baby book will give you the meanings of names."
Siri Macallan says, "And I often find them to be a nice source for over all
 character feeling... Someone named John, meaning "beloved" (I think), may
 act differently than a character named Catherine, which means "pure one"."
Siri Macallan says, "People used to live up to their names."
Siri Macallan says, "And names used to be given so the child would have
 something to live up to."
Ciannait Murphy says, "There's websites too, that let you search for names
 by ethnicity and meaning."
Siri Macallan says, "Rather like giving a child the name of their Saint, so
 they'd follow that Saint's path in their life."
Siri Macallan says, "So... that's some of the aspects of naming."
Siri Macallan says, "My grammar is horrible this morning.  Sorry."
Siri Macallan says, "Not enough coffee yet."
Kya Talure grins.
Jess Whiterose agrees with Siri Macallan.
Kya Talure says, "Maybe an IV drip of pure caffine would do the trick..."
(Blaize Parker recommends youga instead.)
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "Then we have Age."
Siri Macallan asks, "How old do you want to be?"
Siri Macallan says, "Teenagers will usually have, not always, a lot less
 life experience than someone who is in their 60's."
Siri Macallan says, "It's always easier to play younger than you are in
 reality."
Siri Macallan says, "Or about the same age."
Siri Macallan says, "If you want to play older, I'd take a close look at
 your grandparents, or other people you know who are in their later years."
Siri Macallan says, "They WILL think about things in a different way than
 those who are in their 20's or 30's."
Siri Macallan says, "Because the world was a different place when they were
 growing up."
Siri Macallan says, "There is no getting around that."
Siri Macallan says, "In Modus, the age of your character will also determine
 how much of each skill you have been able to master."
Siri Macallan says, "My best advice is to pick an age you're comfortable
 with playing."
Siri Macallan says, "And then just deal with the skill thing later.  Skills
 are technical, not creative."
Siri Macallan says, "And for this discussion, there's a big difference."
Siri Macallan says, "Habits and Patterns..."
Siri Macallan asks, "What does your character do every morning?  Do they
 drink tea or coffee?  Do they always say "Hello world!" as they greet the
 sun?"
Siri Macallan says, "Do they always wear a certain scarf, or make sure their
 gun is put in a certain place."
Siri Macallan says, "These are things people will see, and they'll
 remember."
Siri Macallan says, "Everyone has habits and ways of doing things which are
 in our comfort zones."
Siri Macallan asks, "What are your character's habits?"
Siri Macallan says, "What are their comfort zones."
Siri Macallan says, "Talents and Abilities..."
Siri Macallan says, "These are not always the same things as skills and our
 chosen "professions"."
Siri Macallan says, "A Secret Agent can also know how to sing opera..."
Siri Macallan says, "An investigative reporter can also write haiku."
Siri Macallan says, "A PI can be a chef."
Siri Macallan asks, "What does your character do WELL outside of the Modus
 skill base?"
Siri Macallan says, "Sometimes what you do well is what your profession is."
Siri Macallan says, "You can play a character who is terrific at all the
 things a PI would do..."
Siri Macallan says, "Criminology, marksmanship, etc."
Siri Macallan says, "And if that's your focus, then concentrate on playing
 those things."
Siri Macallan says, "But most of us are more than just our professions, and
 we all have things we do which we are good at."
Siri Macallan says, "And so should our characters."
Siri Macallan says, "I'll add something here which is my own way of
 thinking..."
Siri Macallan says, "When you are training your character, think about what
 s/he would actually train in..."
Siri Macallan says, "Would your IR train in marksmanship?  Maybe..."
Siri Macallan says, "If that really interested her."
Siri Macallan says, "But in reality we all take classes we like, are
 interested in, or feel will help us later on in life."
Siri Macallan says, "We don't usually do it because that's the way to get
 around the system."
Siri Macallan says, "Okay, some people do."
Siri Macallan chuckles.
Siri Macallan says, "My point is, train in what your character LIKES."
Siri Macallan says, "So what if he's not the best at bandaging a wound?  Not
 everyone is good at that.  Some faint at the sight of blood."
Siri Macallan says, "Build your character the way you believe he or she
 should be built to suit the character."
Siri Macallan says, "Now, like I said, that's just my view."
Siri Macallan says, "It's also why my characters are no where close to 20th
 level."
Siri Macallan says, "So you have to figure out what you want to play for."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "Tastes and Preferences..."
Siri Macallan says, "I like blue, and hate orange."
Siri Macallan says, "I drink a double tall ristretto latte."
Siri Macallan says, "I happen to think beets are God's gift for the dinner
 table."
Kya Talure just made a funny face.
Jess Whiterose's face went chalk white.
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "Garlic too."
Crimson Beauregarde applauds.
Jess Whiterose says, "they are god awful beets"
Siri Macallan says, "I prefer to get up at 10 in the morning."
Allison McGuire chuckles.
Kya Talure says, "That one I can definately buy into"
Joy Nalewi says, "The next Forum I bet we're getting beets instead of
 brownies..."
Joy Nalewi grins.
Jess gawks at Joy.
Siri Macallan grins at Joy Nalewi.
Siri Macallan says, "I prefer to dress casually."
Siri Macallan asks, "All these things will help define your character.  What
 do they like and not like?"
Siri Macallan asks, "What do they prefer to do, be, have around them?"
Siri Macallan says, "Some of these things will come out of their history."
Siri Macallan says, "We tend to like a lot of the things we grew up with, in
 some fashion or the other."
Siri Macallan says, "I have no idea why I like blue... I just do."
Siri Macallan says, "But I can tell you why I hate green peppers."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan asks, "That's the flipside... what does your character
 dislike?"
Siri Macallan asks, "What will they avoid?"
(Jess Whiterose is petrified of water.)
Joy Nalewi asks, "You hate water, but you love fishing?"
Joy Nalewi turns to look at Jess Whiterose and furrows her brow.
Siri Macallan says, "Fishing is done on the bank, or the pier."
Siri Macallan grins.
Joy Nalewi says, "Or in a boat."
Joy Nalewi grins.
Siri Macallan nods.
Jess Whiterose says, "getting in it, Jess about drowned as a kid"
Jess Whiterose shrugs.
Siri Macallan says, "Those are the things that will be seen by others."
Siri Macallan says, "Eventually."
Siri Macallan says, "IF you work them into your character."
Siri Macallan says, "Let's look at the non-visible attibutes."

...
(Non-Visible Traits)
  History
  Past Reputation
  Stereotypes
  Past and Present Network
  Ideologies
  Education
...
Siri Macallan says, "These are the things that are as much a part of your
 character as the ones we've just talked about..."
Siri Macallan says, "But they're harder to determine by action.  We mostly
 find out about them through dialogue... which isn't something we do a lot
 of here."
Siri Macallan says, "Not just sitting around getting to know each other
 dialogue."
Siri Macallan says, "The first biggie is History."
Siri Macallan says, "This encompasses both immediate and extended family..."
Siri Macallan says, "What our grandparents did affects what we are, just
 because of how they raised our parents."
Siri Macallan says, "A lack of a family is still a family history.  No one
 was born in a testtube... well not regularly at any rate."
Siri Macallan asks, "History is our childhood... what happened?  Did you
 move a lot?  Do you remember going out to eat all the time because your mom
 never learned how to cook?  Do you remember having one bestest-best friend
 who you were with until highschool?"
Siri Macallan asks, "What happened while you were growing up?"
Siri Macallan asks, "What has happened in the recent past?  Get fired from a
 job?  Divorce?  Recently married?  Finish school?"
Siri Macallan asks, "You're family moved to NJ, but you stayed in Calif?"
Siri Macallan asks, "What has happened just recently to your character.  How
 do they feel about those things?"
Siri Macallan says, "As a note... a character's history doesn't have to be
 dark and tragic to be interesting."
Siri Macallan says, "We all are different, just by what we do on a daily
 basis, and those differences are in themselves interesting."
Siri Macallan says, "The point isn't to make a wild and outrageous
 character, unless you really, truly want to..."
Siri Macallan says, "It's to make a -real- one."
Siri Macallan says, "Everyone has tragedies in their lives... but they don't
 always have to be the big ones."
Siri Macallan says, "Even one small ones... like your favorite dog getting
 hit by a car will impact a character in some way."
Siri Macallan says, "Or even just moving away from a home you had grown up
 in."
Siri Macallan says, "If its the first time you've moved, it's going to be a
 BIG thing."
Siri Macallan says, "Choose your histories with care.  They are the basis
 for all the other stuff."
Siri Macallan says, "Let's talk Past Reputation."
Siri Macallan asks, "What sort of rep did your character have in the past? 
 Was she on the cheerleading team, and just because of that she was seen as
 a snobby little... um, witch?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Did your character save someone from drowning, and so
 became a hero in others eyes?"
Siri Macallan asks, "How true is this reputation?  Maybe the cheerleader
 really just loved cheering... and was a sweet, lovely person.  No one would
 trust that though because of the stereotype.  How would she feel about
 that?"
Siri Macallan asks, "How does that affect her now?"
Siri Macallan says, "What about the Hero?  Maybe he saved the person because
 he actually was the one who pushed him in out of spite."
Siri Macallan says, "Maybe others were around, and he didn't want to be
 blamed."
Siri Macallan asks, "How does the reputation of hero affect someone like
 that?"
s>Siri Macallan says, "Stereotypes..."
Siri Macallan says, "As soon as you give an age, sex, sexual preference,
 ethnicity, ideology or strong opinion you will be stereotyped."
Siri Macallan asks, "How does your character fit into that preconceived
 catagory?"
Siri Macallan asks, "How does he or she feel about being labeled?"
Siri Macallan asks, "How is the character distinctly different than the
 stereotype?"
Siri Macallan says, "Past and present network..."
Siri Macallan asks, "Who are your friends?  Who is your boss?  Who are your
 employees?  Who is/are your lover(s), or partner?"
Siri Macallan says, "Who you choose to associate with either professionally,
 academically or personally will define character."
Siri Macallan says, "We don't often have the employer/employee relationship
 in here... Mostly it's friends and family."
Siri Macallan says, "But there is no reason why we can't have all of them."
Siri Macallan says, "Two more, and then we'll close up the basics..."
Siri Macallan says, "Ideology..."
Siri Macallan asks, "What does your character believe in?  What is their
 philosophy of life?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Are they religious?  What set of thoughts govern their
 universe?"
Siri Macallan says, "And lastly there is Education."
Siri Macallan asks, "How well educated is your character?"
Siri Macallan says, "This gets tricky.  If you don't know the things your
 character should know, you'll be called on it."
Siri Macallan says, "This is where some research is a nice thing."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "If you don't know... find out."
Siri Macallan says, "Or stick to an education level close to your own."
Siri Macallan says, "It's hard to play a truly "dumb" person."
Siri Macallan says, "At least, not without being obnoxious."
Siri Macallan says, "It's a little easier to play someone who just doesn't
 have much of an education, but still has a lot of native "wit"."
Siri Macallan says, "It's even easier to play someone at your own education
 level."
Siri Macallan says, "It becomes hard when you play someone extremely well
 educated or who is a genius, when you're not."
Siri Macallan says, "I try to stay away from those characters."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan says, "I just don't know enough."
Siri Macallan says, "So... all of those things are parts of a character..."
Siri Macallan says, "You can use some, all, none.  Some will be more
 important to you than others.  Some will be useless."
Siri Macallan says, "Some you will fill in as time goes on and you have a
 chance to settle into your character more."

...
Questions to Ask Yourself:
  Why??
  Yes or No??
...
Siri Macallan says, "Here are some questions to ask yourself as you make
 character choices..."
Siri Macallan asks, "Why?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Why does your character like the color blue?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Why did he decide to go to Med school?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Why does he hate bell peppers?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Why Mexican-American rather than Caucasian or Latino or
 Mexican?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Why?"
Siri Macallan says, "If you don't know, then maybe you need to dig deeper."
Siri Macallan says, "While you're playing, the big question is Yes or No."
Siri Macallan asks, "Will I go perping?  Yes or no?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Will I drink scotch?  Yes or no?"
Siri Macallan asks, "Would I talk to this person who just said "hi" and then
 smooched me?  Yes or no?"
Siri Macallan says, "Think like your character would think.  You have built
 the history and personality... now use it."
Siri Macallan says, "Once you do that you'll be acting IN CHARACTER."
Siri Macallan says, "And thems da basics."
Siri Macallan grins.
Siri Macallan asks, "Any questions that you want to go over?"
Armand Chascour raises his hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Armand?"
Armand Chascour says, "this is kinda peripheral"
Siri Macallan grins.
Armand Chascour asks, "what about props? will merchants be more likely to
 make items that aid RP in an obvious way?"
Siri Macallan says, "We have done so in the past."
Siri Macallan nods.
Armand Chascour says, "ok good"
Armand Chascour smiles.
Joy Nalewi raises her hand.
Siri Macallan asks, "Joy?"
Joy Nalewi asks, "Got time for the question I asked before...?"
Joy Nalewi asks, "Or is that for another time?"
Siri Macallan says, "I'd actually like to cover that next week."
Joy Nalewi nods.
Joy Nalewi says, "A cliffhanger"
Joy Nalewi grins.
Siri Macallan says, "It's part and parcel of expanding an character."
Jess Whiterose raises his hand.
Siri Macallan says, "Next week we'll go over how to add extra dimension, and
 how to keep things IC when you've started the plunge."
Siri Macallan says, "We'll also do some improvisations with character."
Siri Macallan asks, "Jess?"
Jess Whiterose says, "I think some characters work and some don't, part of
 it is knowing when it isn't working too"
Siri Macallan nods to Jess Whiterose.
Siri Macallan says, "I've ditched a few characters in my lifetime."
Jess Whiterose says, "I've tossed out a few that just didn't have a good
 feel"
Siri Macallan says, "But then I've also just done some rearranging."
Siri Macallan says, "There are also characters which are just out and out
 harder to play."
Jess Whiterose says, "and I like to think of Meryl Streep, she methods, and
 boy do I method with Jess off isle"
Siri Macallan says, "I have one which is very easy for me, and one that is a
 stretch."
Jess Whiterose says, "it's work to get into the character head, but
 rewarding when you actually are that guy on isle"
Siri Macallan says, "If you're interested in how actors "get into character"
 I can suggest Stanislavski's treatise on Method Acting."
Jess Whiterose says, "thanks carry on"
Siri Macallan says, "It's like the "bible" of modern acting."
Siri Macallan says, "There are all sorts of offshoots of that now, but that
 was the start of "realistic" acting."
Siri Macallan says, "Before him it was stylized... or external instead of
 internal."
Siri Macallan isn't sure she wants to get into that.
Siri Macallan asks, "Would anyone mind if we started at 1:30 or 2:00 next
 week?"
Allison McGuire says, "Not at all."
Allison McGuire grins.
Ichiko Daiumi shakes her head.
Kya Talure shakes her head.
(Armand Chascour counts on his fingers.)
Siri Macallan asks, "Or would Sunday be better?"
Blaize Parker smiles.
Armand Chascour says, "ok that would be 11 am pdt? "
Siri Macallan nods to Armand Chascour.
Jess Whiterose says, "please do"
Jess Whiterose falls to his knees in front of Siri Macallan and begs
 shamelessly.
Siri Macallan grins at Jess Whiterose.
Jess Whiterose sits down.
Jess Whiterose grins.
Kendra Rourke asks, "Actually...do you think 3pm EST is okay?"
Siri Macallan says, "Yeah 10 was too early."
Armand Chascour gets a distant look on his face as he ponders.
Siri Macallan says, "On Sunday, yes."
Jean Jameison nods.
Siri Macallan says, "On Saturday I have to head out by 4 EST."
Armand Chascour says, "Noon on Sunday? ok i guess"
Armand Chascour says, "noo pdt i mean"
Allison McGuire pokes Armand Chascour in the ribs.
Allison McGuire says, "Stop confusing me,."
Ichiko Daiumi glances around.
Armand Chascour says, "sorry, I almost showed up 3 hrs late for today"
Armand Chascour blushes a nice shade of off-pink.
Allison McGuire chuckles.
Siri Macallan says, "How is 3 eastern on Sunday?  That would be noon for
 Pacific, and 2 for Central."
Armand Chascour says, "ok..."
Allison McGuire says, "Sounds fine."
Siri Macallan grins.

Siri Macallan says, "Okay.  Now, as an added bonus..."
Siri Macallan says, "For those of you who want to take a current character,
 or start on a new character..."
Siri Macallan says, "If you write up a character sheet with most of these
 aspects..."
Siri Macallan taps a large blackboard.
Siri Macallan says, "And send them to me, I'll give you each 2000 noto
 points for the time spent."
Siri Macallan says, "But they have to be logical."
Kendra Rourke asks, "Per character?"
Siri Macallan says, "If I think that you're just writing bladerdash, I'll
 roundfile 'em."
(Jess Whiterose ponders that this is not as easy as it may appear on the
 surface.)
Armand Chascour nods to Jess Whiterose.
Allison McGuire says, "Hey... can't beat that.  I love to research. "
Siri Macallan says, "Let's say a limit of 2 characters each."
Joy Nalewi says, "I have around a million yes or no's."
Joy Nalewi grins.
Armand Chascour asks, "what address?"
Allison McGuire says, "Of course I tend to ramble.  I promise to try and
 keep it sweet and short for you, Siri."
Allison McGuire chuckles.
Siri Macallan says, "mo-siri@play.net"
(Jess Whiterose suspects Siri is has a tinge of schoolteacher in her.)
Siri Macallan says, "I love teaching."
Siri Macallan grins.
Jess Whiterose chuckles.
Jean Jameison grins at Jess Whiterose.
Kya Talure grins.
Blaize Parker smiles.
Siri Macallan says, "Make sure I have your Webaccount name, a good Email
 address and your character's names."
Siri Macallan says, "Otherwise I won't know who to give stuff to."
Kendra Rourke smiles.
Jess Whiterose says, "thanks for your time Siri, and effort in aiding us in
 the rp skills"
Allison McGuire nods.
Joy Nalewi agrees with Jess Whiterose.
Siri Macallan says, "My pleasure."
Armand Chascour just applauded Siri Macallan.
Allison McGuire says, "I'm glad you decided to do this."
Siri Macallan says, "Like I said, this is my favorite thing in the world."
Siri Macallan smiles.
Jean Jameison smiles at Siri Macallan.
Blaize Parker agrees with Allison McGuire.
Jean Jameison exclaims, "Thanks!"
Jess Whiterose says, "it's a lot of fun to rp with other rpers"
Allison McGuire nods to Jess Whiterose.
Siri Macallan says, "I'll keep the blackboard up for a while."
Joy Nalewi exclaims, "Thanks, Siri!"
Joy Nalewi grins.
s>Siri Macallan waves.
Siri Macallan slips quietly into the shadows.

Character Development:

The basics -
(Visible Traits)
  Name
  Age
  Habits and Patterns
  Talents and Abilities/Profession and Skills
  Physicality - Appearance and Demeanor

(Non-Visible Traits)
  History
  Past Reputation
  Stereotypes
  Past and Present Network
  Ideologies
  Education

Questions to Ask Yourself:
  Why??
  Yes or No??

Questions others will ask about your character:
  So what?
  Oh yeah?
  Huh?