Right from the start I had trouble identifying a character as my alter ego for this assignment as most of my shortlisted characters/figures from each category only had small aspects which I felt an affinity to. I was stuck between choosing characters that were public figures at first – Mostly celebrities. Realised it was quite a challenge unlike fictional/literature characters that originally had a story to backup their personality and qualities.
My chosen character for the project is Sandra Riley Tang from local band, The Sam Willows. More about her, the qualities of hers I have an affinity with and also how I eventually got to choosing her as my alter ego in the final post coming up! (it’s a long story)
1. SONG LYRICS
Roar by Katy Perry
“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar’
I identified my character as a fighter, one who always challenges herself to break her own boundaries and come out successful and confident.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
” Don’t you know that
there ain’t no mountain high enough.
Ain’t no valley low enough,
ain’t no river wide enough.
To keep me from getting to you, baby.”
For this song, as literal as the lyrics are it shows that no matter how hard obstacles and circumstances may be, never give up as continuing is the only way to get to the end point. I feel that this song reflected my identified character’s personality well, very driven and motivated to get to the end point.
Survivor by Destiny’s Child
“I’m a survivor
I’m not gonna give up
I’m not gonna stop
I’m gonna work harder.”
2. POEMS
Dreams by Langston Hughes
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
A Time To Believe by B.J. Morbitzer (excerpt)
To believe is to know that
every day is a new beginning.
Is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.…
To believe is to know
that wonderful surprises are just
waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.If only we believe.
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (excerpt)
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;…
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The above three poems inspires me to come up with the monologue for my alter ego as my character’s all about pursuing her dreams, determined to succeed. She takes on challenges and is optimistic about life. To which I feel that all these poems have same message in common –to never give up on chasing your dreams and not miss out on golden opportunities as once they are gone, they are gone forever and it’s hard to come by.
3. ARTICLES/SPEECHES/QUOTES
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney
“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton
10 Success Tips from Today’s Most Inspirational Women
These pieces I believe would serve as inspiration for my character to push herself even further, knowing that there are women figures out there who’ve done it/made it possible. Especially with the speeches/quotes by Walt Disney and Conrad Hilton, they speak on behalf of her spirit.
4. PICTURES
Finishing a marathon
Yoga practice
Concert scenario
The three pictures chosen reminded me of my character’s accomplishments in life. Especially the first picture, I felt it portrays one accomplishing something in life – the finishing point being a metaphorical representation and pretty much like my character’s personality, making sure to see that she work on her dreams until their fulfilled. It inspires me to write about my character and her accomplishments. For her story, it was reaching a milestone in her music career, venturing into her newfound passion and also learning more about herself (self-discovery).
5. HEADLINES
These are the headlines I chanced upon while researching and below are my reasons for choosing them and the stories I’m able to come up with based on them.
“Ups and downs of actor-directors”
Being a public figure, what you see of my character may not always be the truth. More often than not it may be all facade/a front my character is putting up to the public. So it can be a story to show the life she lives behind all the glitz and glamour.
“Seven tips to organise your closet”
My character is an avid DIYist, used to run her own YouTube channel project (The DIY Project) and this headline inspires me to write a story based on how this creative side of her came about and how this idea started and branched out into her pre-existent art collective business RileyArt.
“Chameleon of a performer”
This particular headline helps me in coming up with a story riding on the fact that my character is creative and very much all-rounded in different areas not only musically. She’s also a fitness inspiration, takes up BJJ and practices yoga. Plus she’s dabbled in acting, theatre and business ventures too. The headline works as a supporting title.
6. PERSONAL CREDO
I firmly believe that every individual is able to attain success and it’s possible so long you have a never say die attitude.
7. EMOTIONS
- Optimistic
- Eager
- Short-tempered
- Intrigued
- Stubborn
- Bubbly
- Challenged
- Confident
- Spirited
- Timid
Favourite: Spirited
I feel this particular emotion encompasses the qualities of my identified character really well. She’s full of energy, enthusiasm and determination and that trait of hers is very much evident in everything she does in life. She dares to take risks, venturing into a businesses and pursuing her interests.
Least Favourite: Timid
It’s the total opposite of my identified character’s personality. She’s one who never shy away from challenges and strongly believes in challenging herself.
8. SENTENCE STARTERS
- I love a good challenge.
- I have always wanted to do martial arts.
- I know what it’s like to have many interests and the struggle to stay committed to them.
- I remember my first failure.
- I would like to try out new things.
9. FOCUS OBJECTS
Bronze & Gold Medals
Medals signify a milestone in my character’s life, when she won her very first competition in something she was passionate about. It served as her motivation.
Yoga Wear
Yoga wear is important to my character as it’s a representation of a passion she found a few years back that led her to where is she currently, at another milestone/success in her life, the co-founder of a home-concept yoga studio.
Nike Shoes
A pair of Nike shoes. My character’s a strong advocate of the brand and she lives by their slogan – ‘Just Do It’. The brand is something iconic of my character. You’ll find her often dressed in sportswear, sporting a pair of Nike shoes.
Accessories – Gold Rings
Rings are another iconic look of my character. Aside from her sportwear fashion, she would usually accessorize herself with unique looking rings, often in the colour gold.
Percussion Set
The final object that is important to my character is a percussion set, something I believe my character holds close to her heart. It reminds her of how everything started, her beginnings in music. In the band that she is in, she plays the percussion.
