Resources

Book List Revised – August 2005

Movie List Revised – July 2004

Books are often our first introduction to the world of fantasy. They provide detailed descriptions of settings, people, and events that are outside our generally-available experience. We become immersed in the author’s vision, sometimes finding a character or setting that strongly appeals to us, and other times feeling that it didn’t quite capture the true essence of how that character would behave or the culture of that type of town. While we do not recommend portraying a specific character from a book (or a movie), often there are traits that can be incorporated or combined to create a unique personae for you to bring to E’atara and our events. Reference books can help pinpoint the type of character you wish to portray, or define aspects of your character’s background that will reflect your individual creativity.

Movies, while they provide a less in-depth look into the character and his/her world, still offer a valuable resource: a visual interpretation of the story. Movies are a source of ideas for costume and other visual effects, as well as presenting avenues for future research for a character's history or cultural customs. In addition, character portrayals may suggest personality or behavioral traits that help you create the finer details of your character - the ones that distinguish your character from others sharing the same race or profession.

Many of our members have conducted extensive research to develop their characters. We encourage you to talk to members about their characters, and find out who might be able to help you develop your own character. If you’re not sure who would be a good starting point, speak to the elders. They are familiar with the character development of each member and can point you toward someone knowledgeable in your area of interest.