Character Outlines for Thriller

To help us understand the characters featured in the opening of our thriller better, we made descriptions of them, outlining their personalities and traits. This helps us to understand the characters better, allowing us to adapt how they would act or move in our thriller opening.

Characters

The Parents

The parents - Nigel and Janet Taylor - are the only ones that are completely seen in our opening sequence. They have a somewhat unsteady relationship and they are often the cause of each other's anger.

Nigel Taylor

Nigel Taylor is an intelligent man committed to his work - so much so that he is rarely seen in casual clothing and often sports a shirt and tie. He is 48 years old and always wears glasses. Although he is relaxed and laid back at work, at home he is often hot headed and short tempered due to frustration caused by his family, in particular his wife. Nigel’s one release from the stresses of day to day life is fishing as he enjoys being alone in the outdoors - in the peace and quiet away from home. He is a cautious and suspicious man, often fearing the worst and taking precise care in everything he does.

Janet Taylor

 Janet Taylor is 44 years old, outgoing and somewhat louder that her introvert husband, Nigel. Janet doesn’t have a job and is perfectly happy staying at home whilst taking care of her husband and children – even if they don’t always appreciate it. Janet can sometimes be ignorant to things going on around her and is often referred to as careless, although in her head she knows what she is doing and everything that goes on - she just chooses to ignore a majority of her critics. 

The Children

Neither of Janet and Nigel's children are seen completely in our opening sequence, as we chose to conceal the mystery person in the Taylor household so that only their legs, hands and feet were seen. As it is not revealed whether this person is Eliza or Paul Taylor, I have provided character outlines for both characters. 

Alice Taylor

  Alice Taylor is 16 years old and has been horse riding since the age of five. Alice is quiet, polite and friendly although she is scared of getting too close to anyone. Alice doesn’t trust anyone and comes across as a shy and neurotic young girl because of this. Alice doesn't trust anyone because she is scared the dark thoughts in her head will somehow get out and ruin her plans. Alice keeps herself to herself, and like her father and avoids confrontation at any cost and is somewhat precise and careful.

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor is 18 years of age and is the most relaxed and carefree in the family. He is somewhat dimwitted and dropped out of college after one year due to laziness and poor results. He now has an apprenticeship in building and spends most of his time on a building site near the Taylor household. Despite his short attention span and lazy attitude, he passed his driving test with flying colours on his first attempt and shares his mother's car with her. He is loud and outgoing when compared to his sister Alice and is told that he takes after his mother more so than his father.