Persona

[Union_Buff]

Just thought I would throw this out there, how detailed is the backstory for your Civil War reenacting persona? Being who I am, I have got everything down, right to the most minute detail. Do you do the same thing, only have a basic outline or somewhere in the middle?

~ James

 

[johan_steele]

I go as in depth as I can, I've had the public ask questions that if I hadn't that would have been difficult to answer.

 

[Diplogeek]

I think it depends on how often your unit does first person and how OCD you are (that's not a value judgement, because I'm pretty OCD, myself!). My unit doesn't often do first person when we do living histories, which in some ways is good in that it inspires conversations with spectators that would be difficult to have if I was maintaining a 19th century persona, but I'd like to try first person more, because I think it's also a great tool for educating people. I've written out a persona for myself using a really great worksheet that I found on some unit's website- I can't remember where off hand, but I'll try to look it up and post it here. It was a great template for creating a first person impression for people who haven't done it before and might not know where to start.

Based on my experiences with writing and things like D&D (I know, I know, just stick with me), even if you start with the basics, as you keep playing this character and being asked questions, you'll flesh out the character as you go along and do more events. It becomes an increasingly fully-formed persona with repetition, which makes "playing" this person more enjoyable, not less, because you have an increasing number of places you can go with the character. That, to me, is one of the most intriguing aspects of first person portrayals.

 

[Cumpston1862]

I have and haven't worked on a 1st person. I say that because I have kind of based it on one of my ancestors. The problem is the age difference.

Of course 1st person is not something a lot in the hobby want to do so it hasn't been an issue as yet for me.

 

[James B White]

I generally adapt my persona to whatever an event needs, and almost always portray a civilian, so that means it needs to change a lot, and sometimes I need to portray an actual historic person. As Johan Steele says, it's surprising sometimes what the public will ask and how they'll be interested in some oddball corner of your persona that you wouldn't expect.

One thing that helps is for typical/fictional portrayals, the same research can be recycled, so one doesn't have to start from scratch. The same information about a part of the country, a job, opinions on popular topics, etc., can be presented different ways. The older you get, the more background you need, but also, the more likely you haven't spent your whole life in one place doing one thing, so I'll set my earlier years in one of several places and professions I already know something about just in case that comes up and concentrate on any new research for the particular historic situation being portrayed.

 

[kealbo54]

I loosely portray special artist Frank Vizetelly.Its really fun when I can go to an event he was actually at,and when I go to one he wasnt,I am just more or less a generic version.I am forever grateful to the fine gentleman that pointed me in this direction,because it has opened up avenues of CW research previously un-explored by me.Yes,I am 30 years older than Vizetelly was,and yes,my British accent is tedious at best,but these are things I am up-front about when sharing my knowledge with others.The pit-falls in finding the most accurate art supplies from the period are really tough.I know about them,though,so that has become part of my sharing...how some stuff is just flat out impossible to get,and some stuff is remarkably the same.If the materials are no longer avaliable,then I strive to use companys that were in business at the time,like Canson Papers.
I will forever remember the day my avatar pic was taken on the "Waud" rock at Gettysburg.I thought I would climb up there,have the pic taken and be on my way.I sat there for an hour telling people about Civil War artists and how they worked.It was an incredible time.I always tell people that I am less than authentic,right out of the gate,because I have no mount.Thats the one thing I hope to do at at least one event! Somehow be mounted.
Anyway,Vizetellys story is a really fascinating tale,and if I interest just one person enough to look it up,my jobs done!

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

It all depends on the event. My portrayl with change based on the need. I have a couple that are very indepth, and will add elements of basic persona to others.

These will be based on the unit, time, and condition of the men and where they are from. I run the gambit, of different types, including bushwacker, lawman, highwayman, confederate volunteer, confederate conscript, Federal volunteer, homeguard, or draftee/draftdodger, not to mention other civilian roles. Without 1st person, your just missing out. It can make a mediocre event and turn it into a fun 1st class event.