Role Models - Not the movie.

2. Hillard talks about the importance of the characters in writing in chapter 10. When he talked about this, it made me realize that the character holds a lot more importance then I had given credit. The character is the person that we are supposed to identify with, and in a sense, keep us interested in the show. Also, they act as role models.


The media is ever changing the idea of what women should look like, and as these women are role models to young girls, this is what people believe to be true beauty. Characters are everywhere, and they all have traits. This got me to thinking about the different formats of writing, and where characters can be present. For example, in a TV show, we can see the character evolve, grow, mature, and succeed. In a play, we have a two hour period to watch that happen, so we have to get to know them fast, and we dont learn the details of their lives, just the necessary facts. In movies, it's the same way, thought it's easier in a movie to get an idea of who someone is because they have more to go off of.



I find this important, because everyone develops an emotional tie to the characters they watch every week. I know for me personally, a Grey's Anatomy fan, I often find myself trying to relate to the main character Meredith, sometimes successful, sometimes a failure. The relevance of this is, we need to make sure we are sending out positive characters because people will look up to them one way or another. If they are stereotypical, then that is just hurting society.

For example, Dora The Explorer was a real kick ass little girl, going on adventures, overcoming danger, all to get to her goal. This was a real good role model for young children. Now, Diego is the main character on the show, not Dora. Now a days, when you try to find Dora toys in stores, they no longer come with a backpack for her to take on her adventures, but make up, and a hair brush.

Well, there goes that role model...