(04-15-2014, 06:50 PM)Zhavi Wrote:(04-15-2014, 06:32 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote: I pretty much completely feel the emotions my character has. I think that's what you need for really good rp. Emotions aren't logical, and the only way to figure out what they would be realistically, is to experience them. It has it's downsides obviously, I've been in some RPs that were so painful to my character and myself personally, that I almost couldn't finish them. Overall though it lends itself to really immersive RP. As people have said, much like actors, we are playing the role of our character, and like good actors we should get into character.
Just pointing out that I can write emotion without needing to feel it at the time of the writing. Case in point: your character breaks a bone. You are able to write the pain without experiencing it firsthand as it's happening. It's the same with any emotion -- you know what it's like, you've observed how other people deal with the same emotion, you alter it to fit the character. I can get that not everyone wants to rp that way (to each their own) but why are so many people insisting that without actively experiencing the emotions as they're happening for the character the rp becomes bad? I admit to a sense of puzzlement. I can understand what the character feels and desires without needing to feel it at that moment myself, without losing out on my sense of enjoyment and immersion. :s
(sometimes I even have a sense of unholy glee when putting my characters through awkward/embarrassing situations. heh heh heh)
I'm in the same boat as you Zhavi. I love RP where my characters go through a serious sense of conflict because the story, the dynamic between my character and other people's characters, is what gets me really excited. The added punch of being in my character's head to a certain extent, just makes it all the better for me - but I didn't need to feel exactly what Tiergan was feeling for it to be an intense, awesome, emotional moment for me.
For example, recently Tiergan's little cousin vanished in a way that seemed like he was accidentally killed by a friend. Tiergan was completely distraught, furious, and out of his mind with grief, even going as far as trying to attack the innocent man he thought might've taken his cousin's life.
Then Tiergan's cousin was found to be alive, and the flood of relief was so much for him that he pulled his cousin into a hug and wept.
All of that was really moving, fun, and intense for me - but I didn't need to *completely* feel Tiergan's feelings of despair, depression, fury and grief over the whole thing. That would have actually ruined the RP for me. I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. It's the intensity of the moment I love. You don't have to be a method actor to be a great actor.