There were a few posts today in the chat about what makes a good created character and I've a few views on this that I've brought up in the past in creative meetings. Good characterization and character development is one of the key facets of good drama and good television and as owner and head writer, I probably have a good perspective on this... so here goes, my two cents.
When VWWE started (as VWWF) it was very simple and very basic, plot depth was virtually none existent, same with characterization. What we basically looked for back then was somebody exciting, with something to say and a cool name, which was still far more than our rivals looked for who basically hired anybody, no matter how absurd. A wrestling monkey for instance.
Out of these days came VWWE characters such as Silent Assassin, Mr Showtime, Sphere and Nightmare and while Nightmare has evolved through the years, technical master to Ric Flairs protege to wrestling obsessed franchise ala Triple H and latterly the veteran of VWWE, some of those other characters did not. Mr Showtime has forever been "like RVD/Y2J" and that's the sum extent of his character and background.
One character that would never find a home in the VWWE of 2009 is Silent Assassin, one of the two characters I'll be using for this blog as two ends of a single spectrum. SA debuted in that simple world of 2002 and had little characterization. He had no history, his look was taken from Spike out of Buffy the Vampire slayer and personality laying like a cross between Sting and William Regal. Never was any of this explained and worst of all was that he was allowed to put himself over in promos and actions against his opponents with now giving back. Sadly, this was somewhat atypical in those days.
But lets look at each aspect and compare it with a modern created character - Michael Shane. I've picked simply because I know most about him and frankly, he's brilliant. History, look/moves, character development.
SA never had any history, like so many characters, he just seemingly arrived in FWC like magic. We knew he was English.. but that was it. No background. Later when he was in VWWE we managed, under protest from Jon (his handler, not OUR Jon), to construct a history where he'd started out in the Allstar Promotions in the UK in the 80's alongside the likes of Finlay and Regal and moved to the States when the NWA were looking for their answer to the WWF's British Bulldogs. Assassin then went to the WWF, WCW etc etc, I'm not reciting it all lol, but now he HAD a history, he had events that shaped him. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing. Look was never expanded on, he looked the same and wore the same stuff for 5 years and kept the same moves. Character development.... well that's difficult because I'm tempted to say fuck all. SA saw himself as top dog and always wanted to be it, he did NOT put people over or show ass, I really cannot honestly think how he changed a single bit in 5 years.
Characters don't need prearranged targets of where they're going to go as a character or a big master plan. What the need is the room for them to develop, they need places to potentially go.
Michael Shane was a character that was developed in the space between the "old VWWE" and the "new VWWE" in mid-2005 just before our comeback and I think he was genuinely one of the first characters that was thought about as WWE would think about a character. In the era of James Steele, John Cupbord and Michael Steven Northmore, he was a new thing. After that we saw great characters such as Ryan Simmons, Primal, Adan Reyes, Joey Nebraska and the new Suffering, plus the all new generation of Assassin and Sergio Griffon.
WWE always say that the best characters are the ones who are en extension of the real personality behind the character such as John Cena, Steve Austin, Badass Undertaker, The Rock, MVP, exaggerated forms of reality. Shane is no different, he is Mick in exaggerated form... some may even say not too exaggerated. He even started as a Republican and became a Democrat lol
Arrogant to the point of being obnoxious but deeply respectful of the business, he loves wrestling but loves being controversial. He loves being the center of attention and is clearly a genius. He knows it. Snappy dresser, ladies man. Sadistic streak.
That's a basic MO... then around that, you can fit a look. Would that gimmick and attitude fit a 7 foot Indian? no. It suits a smaller man, a good looking man, somebody akin to Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels or John Morrison. Again, his look is inspired by myself, long hair, unshaven.
Once you have a look, you have a move set. Again, power moves would never have suited... so why would he do them? the times ive seen requests that 7 footers do Luchadore moves or cruiserweights use Powerbombs etc is countless. Also, get a WELL ROUNDED move set, don't fill it with finishers.
In the beginning, Shane was far more influenced by Lucha-Libre than today where the Ric Flair influence is more paramount. I was a big fan at that point and it was about 6 or so months before Eddie passed, he was massive at the time and I was a huge Eddie mark. The moveset was heavily influenced by Eddie and HBK so from Eddie came the Mexican influence and the suggestion he'd worked in Mexico, been trained by Gory, the Gory Bomb finisher.
Once you have all that, you've a character, a history can be created from what you have by answering questions - whys he arrogant, what reason? whys he have the lucha moves? whys he get into wrestling?
Also, id suggest giving him backstage gimmicks. Shane, being an arrogant prick, was also said to be trouble backstage in those days... shitting in bags and taking drugs etc (now in 2009, long gone as he's grown up and is respected by his peers, having won that over the past 4 years). So on day one you have this drug taking prick who was arrogant... but he was hugely talented and had great potential, he'd been trained in Mexico and had friends high in WWE with the likes of HBK. He was a rebel and potentially trouble... but also potentially a future legend. Which way would he go? giving him the arrogance and the drug abuse, these are character flaws that are ESSENTIAL. SA never had a single flw, he m,ay as well have been an automation. Theres no need to make a character a failure or a loser, but having a few things in a characters life that are wrong or they're not proud of makes them human.
Now... this is the key thing for me - character development, both in terms of gimmick and emotion.
Shane started off there and started in the tag division, he developed from being a tag team wrestler into the singles star. He grew in confidence and stature, bringing in the whole hip-hop styling with the new Kanye West theme and attitude, being a bit of a playboy, obsessed with money and women. But that started to get old and he rediscovered his love of wrestling during his feud with Flair. It was really this feud that marked a change again. Shane started to "grow up" around WrestleMania 24. He became serious in his wrestling talent and desire to win championships, his feud with Flair led to the New Generation attitude, the hip-hop styling's starting to vanish as he found Ashley and became a one women man. The controversial nature of their relationship with the "Rated R" segments later becoming a genuine relationship between the characters, developing over time. In 2009, Shane had his belief in wrestling tested with the Suffering incident and will have his relationship with Ashley tested. Two weeks ago there was the darker Shane in the black with the leather jacket, this we'll see again, this is the consequence of the actions and scenarios he's been put in. His mental state one that's depressed, bitter and angry. It wouldn't work if he remained an arrogant pretty boy. Its the exact same principle WWE used for Triple H after Orton RKOd Stephanie, if Trips had feuded with Randy with his DX joker gimmick.. then would truly have been no buys.
A lot of where Shane had been and gone does come from myself and I really cant urge enough people to do likewise, insert yourself into the characters, change them as you change and grow. If you're a Goth... make a gothic character, emo? go emo. If you're a chav, create Ryan Simmons lol.
Characters need to develop and change to stop becoming stale, they need their beliefs tested as Shane has had his belief in wrestling tested and will have his relationships tested. These tests of character create drama and emotional growth, they allow the character to develop from one thing to another and become more multi-faceted and deep.
Three dimensional characters are what VWWE requires and in fact expects in 2009 and I think we have, the likes of Suffering, Joey Nebraska and Ryan Simmons have developed just as well and have just as deep histories, they are a world away from the likes of Plinny, Kohl and AWO that graced feds in 2002 when we started. In 2009 I think the majority of VWWE understand the fact that VWWE is about far more than winning and losing - its about the show. We all pull together to make a great show each week for each others enjoyment, we write promos for others to enjoy and collectively make absolute greatness. If we win... that's awesome, the titles being the highest achievement and also a fantastic feeling to win... but VWWE is so much more. Now in 2009 I think many realize that telling a story is what this game is really all about.... juts like with the WWE Superstars our job is to entertain, to tell a story. And nobody tells a story quite like VWWE :D
During VWWEs brief spat with IVW, this video was produced.
With apologies to those members now under VWWE contract lol
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