National theatre connections – character research and development

 I'm Production for the National Theatre Connections Project that we're doing, however, I've decided that if I were to be any character, I'd probably go for Tom Joy, so for Task One and Task Two I'll be doing them as if I was that character.

Task One

Dear Future Me, I wonder what we're doing. I know that we'll still be with the same friends. I finally feel like I have a place I belong. I wonder if you still feel the same. I'm sure you do. I got nothing to worry about, wonder what to do tomorrow. OOO I KNOW!! We can go to Stefi's dad's shop to get some food and then we can go to a hill and roll down and then I dunno maybe throw some stones at windows..I hope dad's back, to stay, not just show up and then disappear, I hope mum feels better too. It's not like she's sick or anything I just want her to trust me. I'm not as bad as everyone says,  I just want to be liked, I mean doesn't everyone else? Ah well, I'll continue to do what I want because It's fun! Might try playing Bulldogs with the crew tomorrow too, who knows, maybe Kobi will run back to his nan hahaha

Task 2

Basic

● Full name):Thomas Joy 

● Nicknames: Tom

● Date of birth: 23rd June 2010

● Age: 13

● Place of birth: Hospital 

Personality

● Favorite (or overused) phrases: Don't be a Wuss!

● Optimist or pessimist: Both, depending on the situation

● Describe their sense of humor: Massively immature, will suite their humour to their friends, they'll do what they think will make their friends laugh

● How do they display affection? by making things even, if they accidentally hurt someone they'd try and put themself in the same position without actual injury, and attempt to cheer them up by trying to make them laugh.

● How do they see themselves? Insecure, a facade

● How are they seen by others? How do they want to be seen by others? They want to be seen as confident, as a leader and brave, the generic knight in shining armour.

● What would they change about themselves and why? Their Insecurties

● Strongest character trait: Courage

● Weakest character trait: Fragility

● What are their ambitions? To become close and keep the friends they have for life, to have fun

● What are their dreams? To be a protector of the weak

● Are they competitive? Very

● Do they rush to conclusions? A little

● Do they make quick decisions and act on them? Do they take time out to think about actions and consequences? They make quick decisions without thinking about the repercussions 

● How do they react to praise? To criticism? They respond very well to praise but poorly to criticism, having take it to heart and dwell on it

● What is their greatest fear? To be alone

● What are their biggest secrets? That they just want to be liked

● What is their philosophy of life? To make people laugh and enjoy themselves, the more they have fun the more they like you, so keep doing it

● When was the last time they cried? When their mum yelled at them

● Do they cry openly/in front of others? No

● What haunts them? The Memory of their dad leaving

● What will they stand up for? Their friends, everytime

● Are they indoorsy or outdoorsy? Night owl or morning lark? Very outdoorsy, and a mixture of the two, they want to prove they can do anything, so they'd be willing to go out of their comfort zone if it would please others

● What sense do they most rely on? Sight

● How do they treat others? Without respect, they only treat their friends with respect, otherwise they will do what they like

● What quality do they most value in a friend? Loyalty

● What do they consider an overrated virtue? Honesty

● What are their views on religion? Politics? Sex? They don't care, they'll make jokes but they don't really care about what you are. 

● Under what circumstances would they be able to kill someone? Out of Fear

● Do they prefer routine or spontaneity? Spontaneity

● Describe their pet peeves: When people don't listen to him or go against what they said/their word. 

● What is their view of freedom? What is freedom? Being able to do what you want to do when you want to do it, the ability to spontaneously do anything without having to think of the consequences

● When did they last lie and what’s their view of lying? That morning, they do it regularly, It's okay as long as It's not to them

Friends and Family:

● How big is their immediate family? single parent, very small

● Who is their family? Their mum

● Do they have siblings? Older or younger? They're an only child

● Do they get along with the parents and siblings? Not really, they have issues with bonding with their mum, especially since their dad left

● How big is their extended family? Also pretty small, they only have a grandparent left, but they're out of contact

● Describe their parents. Their mum is pretty young, taking out their frustrations from having to look after them out on them, including with blaming the dad leaving on them. I firmly believe they do not have a strong relationship with their mum at all, but despite it all, they still love their mum.

● Describe their best friend. Stefi, the daughter of Mr Emre and sister to Zafer

● Describe their attitude towards family. The same to everyone else, cheeky, disobedient and rude.

● Describe their other friends. They don't have any other friends than the Ansten crew.

● Describe their acquaintances. Just random people they meet on the street, otherwise they don't have any other lasting friendships.

● What is their family’s history? Think back several generations. I believe they used to be kind people, in previous generations, the type to help others and be sweet, and I believe that was passed down to Tom in a sense that he has the need to protect his friends and the unnecessary urge to be liked

● Do they have pets? No

Daily Life

● Describe their house. It's in a poor condition, run down but not abandoned, barely liveable.

● Are they a minimalist or is their house cluttered? It's cluttered

● What are their eating habits? They eat well enough, but they do it in their own means

● Are they allergic to anything? No

● What is the first thing they do in the morning? Get dressed and try and get their friends to play

● What do they do on a Sunday afternoon? Lying around, avoiding homework and daydreaming about being with friends

● What do they do on a Friday night? Play around with their friends, doing anything that comes to mind

● Describe their diet: Junk food, they eat for enjoyment, not just because they have too

● Describe their workout routine: They don't have a set one, they're just active enough that it's healthy for them

Past and Future

● Describe your character like as a child? As a teenager? As a young adult? They were an impressionable child, as a teenager they were better, less impressionable but seeked approval from everyone, they needed praise and people to like them. As a young adult it had all gone, Tom was changed due to what had happened to him, the boy he used to be was practically dead at that point.

● What is their earliest memory? Their family bonding and being whole

● What is their best childhood memory? Before their dad left, the time spent 

● What is their worst childhood memory? When their dad left, the family falling apart and breaking

● What did they want to be when they grew up? A Protector, perhaps a fireman, or more ironically a policeman 

● Did they grow up rich or poor? Poor

● Did they grow up nurtured or neglected? Neglected

● Were they popular growing up? Yeah, simply because by seeking approval he did things to make others like him, and thus became popular by that.

● What is the most offensive thing they ever said? Something insensitive to someone in a difficult situation because they were overwhelmed, it wasn't said on purpose.

● What is the most offensive thing ever said to them? About their dad

● What is their greatest achievement? Getting all the friends they have now

● Describe their first kiss and romance. They've never had one yet

● What is the worst thing they did to someone they loved? Lash out, insult out of rage and spite

● What is the best thing they did to someone they loved? Comfort and provide company

● Who had a great influence on them? Who shaped them as a person? Their Parents and grandparent

● What are their plans for the future? Continue to have the most fun they possibly can

● What advice would they give their younger self? To not get attached to their dad considering he was only going to leave

● What smells remind them of their childhood? Cinnamon 

● When was the last time they were crushed with disappointment? When their mum yelled at them, and blamed her problems on him

● What past act are they most ashamed of? Most proud of? They are most ashamed of the time they accidentally upset their friends, and they're most proud of being able to get people to like them

● Has anyone ever saved their life? Have they ever saved someone else’s life? No but they like to imagine they're in a scenario like that where they save someones life

Love

● Do they believe in love at first sight? No they don't

● Are they in a relationship? No they are not

● How do they behave in relationships? They're a people pleaser, they'll do anything to keep it

● Have they ever broken someone’s heart? No they haven't 

● Have they ever had their heart broken? Yes, but not by a significant other 

● What do they look for in a potential lover or partner? Someone who's loyal and won't leave him, someone who will listen to him

● Do they have their own family? How old are their children? No they don't 

● What are their views on marriage? They think It's gross

Relationships with Others

● Do they trust other people to protect them? Why? Why? They do not trust other people to protect them, they believe they're the only person who can truly look after themself

● Who do they trust the most? Themselves

● Who do they love the most? Their Friends

● Who do they hate the most? Who do they despise? They resent their dad but still love them unconditionally to where they miss him

● Do they tend to take on leadership roles in group situations? Yes they do, they'll go out of their way to do so

● Do they like being around large groups of people? Why or why not? They like to make themselves the centre of attention to bring joy to the others, to be more likeable

● What are their views on social media? They don't really know much about it, other than youtube

● Have they ever been bullied? Once, and then never after

● Have they ever been the bully? Not intentionally

● Who are their enemies and why?People who won't listen to him, he craves the respect his parents didn't give him, so he seeks it elsewhere, such as in his crew

Conflict

● How do they respond to threat or dangerous situations? By taking charge and trying to protect everyone, if they are unable too then self preservation kicks in and they protect themselves, either by fighting or running away and hiding

● Are they most likely to fight with their fists or their words? Their Fists

● What is your character’s kryptonite? Family issues

● How do they perceive strangers? Just people that don't matter

● Do they have phobias? Of what? They're scared of being left alone, of being abandoned again

● What do they love to hate? Vegetables

● What is their weapon of choice? Their bare fists

● Where do they go when they’re angry? Away from their friends, anywhere except the place they just were

Work, Education and Hobbies

● Describe their current job: Unemployed

● Do they like or dislike their job? N/A

● Describe their hobbies: Hanging out with their friends, or playing on their phone/getting lost in daydreams

● Educational background: Bounced around the education system, jumping from school to school

● Work experience/background: N/A

Favorites

● List their favorites of each: color; food; animal; place; person; book: Blue, Doritos, Wolves, Their regular hangout spot, the Ansten house, Stefi

● List their least favorites of each: color; food; animal; place; person; book: Pink, Peas, Cats, Home, Dad

● What place would they love to visit? Hollywood

● What is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen? A Sunset above the park

● What is their favorite song? They don't tend to listen to music

● Who is their favorite artist? N/A

● What is their favorite work of art? N/A

● What is their favorite day of the week? Why? Anyday except weekends, as they spend everyday with their friends but is mainly home on weekends

● Do they have a favorite saying or proverb? What is it? They don't have a favourite saying, instead they say what's most likely to get people to laugh or like him

Spirituality

● What are their religious views? They aren't sure

● Who or what is your character’s guardian angel? It used to be their grandparent 

● Do they believe in an afterlife? They aren't sure

● What do they think heaven is? Their family being whole again with no issues, and their friends loving him

● What do they think hell is? Everyone abandoning him

● Are they superstitious? No

● What would they like to be reincarnated as? A wolf