Character Development

Phase 1

I’m sitting on the first floor of Alice Lloyd people watching. I typically see this person sitting down here at the computer multiple hours during the day (not to be creepy). He is a black male who appears to be about 19 years old. He is about six feet tall and very muscular. From listening to his conversation with two girls, he played football at Michigan at one point, but was injured and is no longer able to play. He has one earring in and thick, black-framed glasses. He has a slight stubble, but then again most of the males here do.

The girls he is talking to are being very flirty. They tease him and ask, “can you still wear the football swag if you’re not on the team?” He tells them to shut up. He has an assertive, yet playful way about him. He seems like the funny goofball who still holds everything together.

Phase 2

This character I have created is Brandon White from a medium sized town in Virginia. I imagine him coming from a supportive yet football oriented family. He is very smart, as I can tell by the homework he is always doing every time I see him.  Now that he is unable to play football he is focusing all of his energy on getting into the Ross School of Business. Losing football allowed him the ability to explore other passions that he had never contemplated before. However, he faces the risk of losing his scholarship. He does not have the money to own a computer unlike many students and he must use the computers at the school. His undiscovered learning disability, something he has struggled with his entire life, seems to be more noticeable than ever. His pride prevents him from getting help. He is also struggling with the love he has for his ex-girlfriend, the girl he left behind in his hometown. His father who was the football coach in his hometown did not approve of their relationship because he thought that she was a distraction. His father was insistent that he get a scholarship to play football somewhere.

Brandon is at a turning point in his life. He can feel the pressure boiling up around him. This is a moment in his life where he can decide where to take his life. The choice is up to him, but the stakes are high.