Sunday, February 21, 2021

Chapter 9: The Road to Character

I decided to try to develop my main character, I really had to examine what type of character would get followed by a personification of their own anxiety. So, in order to try to get inside their head, I had a few ideas based on my own experience and some extra research. 

First, I wanted this character to have more of an identity. That's why they FINALLY have a name! Everyone, meet the teenage protagonist, Cassandra! She goes by Cassie, but her name reflects her identity. In Greek mythology, Cassandra was cursed to be unheard by those around her, which reflects Cassie. Cassie feels unheard and unseen in her life, which is the reason her anxiety is so heightened that it actually follows her around. 

Next, I wanted this character to have some underlying reason as to WHY their anxiety is personified. Cassie feels unheard and unseen in her life, which gives reason as to see her anxiety that heightened. Cassie deals with social anxiety, which is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as feeling "symptoms of anxiety or fear in certain or all social situations". Having scenes that can explain her inner thoughts will be instrumental in explaining why she feels this way

Finally, I wanted this character to be relatable. Many people suffer from anxiety, and may be able to see themselves in Cassie. USC Amberg has found that "few characters across popular film and TV series exhibit mental health conditions", so having representation will be both beneficial to the film and to the audience, As well as representing anxiety, I would like Cassie to be going through struggles that are typical of a teenager in 2021, such as quarantine or having a social life. This would also make her relatable as teenagers can see their struggles reflected in her

Next week I intend to further craft this character and create the story around her.

References:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cassandra-Greek-mythology 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness/index.shtml 

https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/media-misses-mark-mental-health-conditions

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