Character Personality Script

Introduction (with Slide 1-2)

"Good morning, future animators! Today, we're going to unlock the secret behind creating characters that truly pop off the screen. You know those characters you never forget, the ones that feel alive? We're going to explore what makes them so special.

Take a moment to think about your favorite animated character. What makes them memorable? Shout out some ideas!"

"Great ideas! We're talking about characters like… (mention a few examples based on student responses or popular characters like Spongebob, Pikachu, Elsa). These characters are more than just drawings; they have personality, they have life!"

Core Principles of Dynamic Design (with Slide 3-7)

"Let's dive into the core principles that animators use to make their characters unforgettable.

Principle 1: Silhouette (with Slide 3)

"First up is Silhouette. Imagine your character as a dark shadow. Can you still tell who they are? A strong silhouette makes a character instantly recognizable, even without any details. Think about Mickey Mouse, Batman, or even a specific Pokémon. You know them just from their outline! Why do you think this is important?"

"Exactly! It helps them stand out and be unique. When you're designing, always check your character's silhouette."

Principle 2: Expression (with Slide 4)

"Next, we have Expression. Our faces are incredibly expressive, and animated characters are no different! Animators often exaggerate expressions to clearly show emotions – happiness, sadness, surprise, anger. How does an exaggerated expression help us understand a character better?"

"Right! It communicates quickly and powerfully, often adding humor or drama. A tiny smirk or a wide-eyed gasp can tell us so much."

Principle 3: Pose (with Slide 5)

"Then there's Pose. How a character stands, sits, or moves tells us a lot about their personality and mood. A character slouched over might seem tired or shy, while one with their chest puffed out might be confident or arrogant. What kind of pose would you give a super energetic character? How about a sneaky one?"

"Fantastic! Dynamic poses, with clear lines of action, make characters feel alive and in motion, even in a still drawing."

Principle 4: Personality (with Slide 6)

"Now, for the heart of it all: Personality. Who is your character? Are they goofy, brave, grumpy, curious? Their personality should influence every aspect of their design, from their body shape to their clothing choices. How might a shy character look different from a boisterous one?"

"Yes! Every design choice should reinforce who they are. Their design is a window into their soul!"

Principle 5: Movement (with Slide 7)

"Finally, let's talk about Movement. Even if a character isn't actively running, you can suggest movement. Think about flowing capes, bouncing hair, or a body leaning forward as if about to leap. These subtle cues add a sense of life and anticipation. How can you make a character look like they're about to jump, even if they're standing still?"

"Excellent! These principles work together to create characters that are not just seen, but felt and remembered. Now, you're going to put some of these ideas into practice!"

Character Sketch Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Instructions:

Choose ONE of the character design principles we discussed (Silhouette, Expression, Pose, Personality, or Movement). Your task is to create a new character sketch OR redesign an existing character focusing on exaggerating and applying that chosen principle.

My Chosen Principle:

My Character Idea:

What kind of character are you creating/redesigning? What is their basic personality or role?

Sketch Area:

Use the space below to sketch your character. Focus on making your chosen principle really stand out! Don't worry about perfection, focus on the idea.

Reflection:

*Briefly describe how you applied your chosen principle to make your character

Character Design Rubric

Character Sketch Activity

Character Warm-Up

Instructions: Think about your favorite animated character. In 1-2 sentences, describe what makes them instantly recognizable and full of personality. What makes them pop in your mind?

Character Reflection

Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson and your character sketch activity.

1. What was one new idea you learned about character design today?

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What was the most challenging part of trying to make your character pop using the principles we discussed?