Post by Hush, it's K-Krush on Sept 1, 2010 12:44:51 GMT -5
Quick Role-Playing Tips
By: HidamariBread
By: HidamariBread
I've role-played on the internet as various characters since my freshmen year of high school and throughout the years I've sort of developed habits into helping me create a persona for the character I'm trying to portray, as well as trying to make the role-play seem as professional as possible. In this thread, I will provide a list of some quick role-playing tips that could hopefully help you become an even better role-player. Now these aren't set in stone, if along the way you find better ways in which help you develop your character that is fine! No two-people think alike.
- 1. Try to make sure you have the correct word usage and spelling.
I personally use dictionary.reference.com/ as a reference tool to make sure I'm using a word correctly both in usage and spelling. You can avoid embarrassing situations by doing this, such using the word "desert" instead of "dessert" while role-playing a restaurant scene. - 2. Put effort into your grammar!
Your grammar doesn't have to be perfect. Just make sure the message you're trying to convey can easily be translated by your fellow role-players. It avoids confusion for all parties involved. - 3. Colors are pretty, use them to your advantage.
On the old AWWE forum, I didn't know how to color text. However, it's easy to do on a Proboards forum. Colors can help ease confusion when fellow role-players are reading your role-play. You can provide a different color for your characters' dialog and actions. For instance lets say you role-play as the Bella Twins. You can make Nikki's dialog hot pink while making Brie's dialog red, making it easy for your fellow role-players to see who exactly is speaking.
Example:
"Hola." Brie says with her perfect smile.
"We're the Bella Twins." Nikki chimed in.
"And we're twin-tacular!" exclaims Brie as she and her sister do their trademark pose.
In code this looks like:[color=red]"Hola."[/color] Brie says with her perfect smile.
[color=hotpink]"We're the Bella Twins."[/color] Nikki chimed in.
[color=red]"And we're twin-tacular!"[/color] exclaims Brie as she and her sister do their trademark pose. - 4. Think of them as characters first before you apply their gender.
From experience, it can be difficult to role-play as the opposite sex. So, instead of allowing the character's gender to get in the way, think of them as characters first. Example, Maryse is a self-centered character who strives to be the center of anyone's attention. Because of this, I try to reflect her self-centered tendencies in her role-plays. It's easier to come up with their dialog first, and then type out their actions, and then edit that dialog to coincide with those actions. Read this role-play for an example of this. - 5. Longer doesn't always mean better.
This is a common misconception. While the initial post in a thread might be longer, your posts don't have to increase in length as the role-play continues. Just post enough meat in your role-play so that it helps your partner and continues the flow of the story. - 6. Don't feel intimidated.
It's harder to role-play with someone when you're intimidated by their post length or character style. Go in with confidence and role-play to the best your abilities, not theirs. You're two different people, it's common sense that your role-playing styles are going to differ. If anything, befriend that role-player and learn from his/her methods. - 7. Unless you have permission, don't control the actions of another person's character, or hurt them.
This is personally one of my biggest pet peeves. You're role-playing as your character, not the other person's. Focus only on your own character's actions, don't bother yourself with your partner's, that's putting too much work on yourself. Some role-players do get annoyed when this happens, and may even complain. Avoid this. - 8. Personal shots are a big no-no.
What's a personal shot? Deliberately going out of your way to make sure your opponent's handler feels bad. A handler is the person behind the character. For instance, Leon is Edge's handler, and WFK is Triple H's. It's okay to taunt each others' characters, it's not okay to taunt each other personally. We all want to have fun, and we can achieve that by not taking personal shots at each other within our role-plays. - 9. Don't forget your audience!
Especially when you're doing a promo in front of the camera, keep in mind that your character is doing this in front of the AWWE audience. Make them chant, make them hate your character, or make them cheer for your character, give the AWWE Universe personality. Just imagine yourself in the crowd while your character is doing his or her promo and describe their reactions. It will help develop your heel or face tendencies. - 10. Know your role.
If you're a face try and make your actions reflect that. If you're a heel do the same. Try and maintain that role for at least a month, role-playing your character as a face one week, then role-playing them as a heel the next and then repeating that process just causes confusion for your fellow role-players. They wouldn't know how to handle your character as a face or heel because you would be switching constantly! Not everyone's a tweener. If you're having trouble deciding which role you want to take, just go with what comes naturally when you role-play. It's much easier and doesn't feel as forced.
Well, that's all the tips for now. I may update this as the forums expand and become more popular, but for now these 10 tips will do. Enjoy role-playing! It can be a lot of fun if you allow it too. Always keep an open mind and use your imagination. You'll be amazed on what you can come up with.