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Introducing A Speaking Character (currently 638 views)
Takeshi
Posted: July 20th, 2006, 5:18am
Guest User
I know when you introduce a speaking character, you're supposed to capitalize their name, the first time it appears.
However, what if someone introduced them self under a false name and then revealed their true identity later in the story, would both names need to be in capitals the first time they appear in the script?
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dogglebe
Posted: July 20th, 2006, 5:27am
Guest User
If the character's real name is revealed at the end of the story, you continue using the false name and don't refer to him by his real name at all, except in dialogue.
would both names need to be in capitals the first time they appear in the script?
You don't need to capitalize both names. Only the first (false) one, when the character is introduced along with his age and a brief description. New characters are capitalized, not new names.
In the undercover cop example, once the character flashes his badge and tells his real name, from there on you can call him by his the new name without need to "reintroduce" him in capitals.
Is it your intent to deceive the audience (reader) into thinking a character is one thing -- only to reveal later he is something else?
Then treat it as one character -- buy into it completely in terms of description and dialogue -- until the reveal -- then buy into the second character.
You are really introducing two characters at two different points in the story. A plug -- but a relevant exerpt -- from SimplyNoir. This is how George and I did it, and if George was involved, it is probably safe to do it this way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Security bends down and lifts one of the heavy cases used for transporting film reels.
SECURITY (a different voice now) But you made one big mistake, Wesley...
Now Wesley watches in shocked disbelief as Security reaches with his free hand and rips his face off -- A MASK -- to reveal the grinning visage of KEVIN REVIE.
KEVIN ...you forgot that things are not always as they appear!