Even before we begin writing a show or a movie, we do a lot of prelim writing work in churning out what is called the ‘show bible’. It contains the detailed concept, character sketches and the story. In some cases it even contains the budget, casting options and options for various talent – director, cameraman, stylist, set designer.
It is blueprint of the show and on which our screenplays are based. I have already covered some aspects of a TV show in some of my earlier posts.
What I haven’t covered is how we develop characters. Contrary to what people think, a lot of work goes into developing engaging, believable and quirky characters. It involves answering a lot of questions in as much detail as possible. Good character biographies can run into thirty page or more.
There are many formats available on the net, but here’s one:
SOCIAL ASPECTS
*Occupation
*Education
*Religion
*Hobbies
*Political views
*Ethnicity
*Marital status
*Birthplace
*Social status
*Affiliations
PHYSICAL ASPECTS
*Men or Female
*Height/weight
*Physical Build
*Appearance
*Complexion
*Health
*Athletic
*Defects (scars, or limps)
*Voice
PSYCHOLOGY ASPECTS
*Fears (Do not create cheap Freudian back story as motivation for your characters. For example, “she was once sexually abused by her stepfather and so hates all men.” People are more complex than this. If such a traumatic event happened in her life, if anything, it would make her promiscuous. She may hate sex, fear men, but hate men? Do some research for plausible cause-effect scenarios.)
*Values
*Addictions
*Habits
*Intelligence
*Morality
*Temperament
*Beliefs
*Secrets.
You can of course, embellish it with more details, for example, what clothing does your character favour? Or what motto defines her world view, i.e., “A successful person is one who can fake sincerity.” Does she have a nickname? Does she like it? Hate it?
All the detail you create may or may not be revealed during the story, but it doesn’t mean that it’s work that’s been wasted. The more detail you create, the deeper you can make your character, and this rich history will be such a rich source of information that it may even change and evolve your story itself.
When tall, suave, handsome Kaustav Kapoor walks into her office, ditzy private investigator Kasthuri (aka Katie) Kumar has anything but detection on her mind. He is, after all, a scion of Bollywood’s first family—perhaps he has a role for her? Perhaps she will, at last, get to sashay down the red carpet in a designer gown, with flash bulbs following her every move?
But Kapoor’s intentions are much more prosaic: he wishes Katie to trace the heroine of his new blockbuster (and, if Katie’s read the glossies correctly, his life) who is mysteriously AWOL. Despite her misgivings, Katie finds herself unable to refuse the task entrusted to her, and thereon follows a bewildering hunt for the film star across a trail of corpses.
And if that isn’t excitement enough, she has to contend with the maddening and mysterious, but, oh-so-hot, Tejas Deshpande.
The first in a brand new detective series.
IN BOOKSTORES NOW.
Smita Jain's Weblog 
Thank you very much for sharing this information.. this is indeed useful.
Do u recommend studying screenplay writing tips on web or books on same before barging into write something?
This is very interesting and thanks a million for posting this info. But as usual, I have a query 🙂
Will this characterization change over the course of the project? Given the running length of some dramas, will you rework on the characters psycological aspects once the serial reaches maturity? For example some life altering experiences that the characters’ face would definitely have some effects on sanity right? If so, should characters’ details be revisited from time to time to update? If so, then whats generally the industry standards?
~Sookie
@Gourav, check out my earlier posts where i’ve talked about screenwriting books by Lajos Egri and Syd Field. also try and read as many screenplays as you can.
@Sookie, of course the characters change…that is what a story is all about…but we usually chart out the journey in the beginning itslef.
Actually, thanks for pointing it out. What I forgot to mention was that this the what the character is like at the beginning.
“Do not create cheap Freudian backstory…”
This times a hundred thousand. Thank you so much for including this gem of wisdom. Many amateur writers tend to miss it entirely.