in character
Not breaking role
In character describes behavior, speech, or actions consistent with a role someone is playing or a persona they've adopted.
An actor stays in character between takes; a cosplayer remains in character at a convention.
The phrase also applies to actions fitting someone's known personality: It would be in character for her to show up late.
The opposite is out of character.
Horizontal furniture surface
- LARPIn-person character embodiment game
- D&DFantasy tabletop roleplaying game
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- NPCUncontrolled game character
PC · dungeon master · game master · voice · accent · mannerisms · improvisation · session
Written words for performance
- linesStrokes connecting two points
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
blocking · cue · rehearsal · audition · director · cast · ensemble · costume
Character's past narrative
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- empathySharing another's emotions
research · authenticity · believability · consistency · depth · nuance · embodiment · inhabiting
Distinguishing personal features
- arcCurved line segment
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- growthIncrease in size
- complexityState of being complicated
protagonist · antagonist · hero · villain · supporting · dynamic · static · round
Acting technique innovator
- emotional memoryRecollection shaped by feelings
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- internalizationAbsorbing ideas as one's own
- transformationThorough change in form
tabletop
Horizontal furniture surface
- LARPIn-person character embodiment game
- D&DFantasy tabletop roleplaying game
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
NPC · PC · dungeon master · game master · voice · accent · mannerisms · improvisation · session · interaction
script
Written words for performance
- linesStrokes connecting two points
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
scene · blocking · cue · rehearsal · audition · director · cast · ensemble · costume · makeup
backstory
Character's past narrative
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
empathy · research · authenticity · believability · consistency · depth · nuance · embodiment · inhabiting · becoming
traits
Distinguishing personal features
- arcCurved line segment
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- growthIncrease in size
complexity · protagonist · antagonist · hero · villain · supporting · dynamic · static · round · flat
Stanislavski
Acting technique innovator
- emotional memoryRecollection shaped by feelings
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- internalizationAbsorbing ideas as one's own
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- theater jargonbackstage, center stage, curtain call, downstage, dress rehearsal
in characterout of character
Contrary to typical behavior
breaking character · oneself · unmasked · off the record · backstage
in characterout of character
Contrary to typical behavior
uncharacteristic · atypical · inconsistent · untypical · unexpected
in characterout of character
Contrary to typical behavior
breaking character · off script · unmasked · behind the scenes · offstage
character, characters, characteristic, in-character, characterization, characterized, characterizing, characterizes, mischaracterize