For Theater class at Sheridan we were assigned the creation of a character. We had to describe the character and their history and then create an image to represent them.
So here is Lulu Davies:
And this is her story:
The year is 1937 and Lulu Davies is
47 years old. She is a fading starlet of the silent pictures. When she was
young she was a stunner - and was wanted by every millionaire in Hollywood and
fiercely envied by every girl. Those days however, have turned to dust.
HISTORY
Lulu Davies, born Sally Moore, is the daughter of a Mormon pastor from Utah. Being
born with raven black hair and piercing pale blue eyes, her stunning beauty
attracted the attention of many local young men, to the great displeasure of
her father. Raised in a house with extremely austere moral values, going to the
pictures was strictly forbidden. Lulu managed, with the help of one of her many
admirers, to sneak out one night and go to the movies. Enthralled with the
glamour of the heroine on screen, Lulu decided at once that she would become a
movie star. Wishing to escape the tyranny of her father, and the poverty of her
rural life, she ran away from home at age 16 and hitchhiked to Los Angeles. Changing
her name to Lulu Davies, she fought (or rather slept) her way the top of the
biggest Hollywood productions. She became an icon, and was adored, envied and
filthy rich. Her success was hard won, and she would not under torture reveal
the truth of her upbringing and childhood.
CHARACTER
Though not by nature bad or
insensitive, Lulu's life has turned her into a rather cold and self-centered diva.
Trying hard to erase all traces of the young Sally Moore, she was forced all
her life to play a part. She would never open up to anybody for fear of
detection, and her Hollywood life was spun around lies. Her every day persona
is a role she plays. She wishes to portray a clever, urban, woman of the world,
used to endless luxury and a life of ease and pleasure. She has played this
role for so long, that Lulu herself no longer knows if any part of her
personality is quite her own.
As films started turning into the
"talkies" Lulu began to see herself passed over in favor of young and
fresh upstart actresses - of which there was an abundance. This was a great
blow to her ego and self confidence. Having always lived in fear of her past,
this new fear of aging took its toll on her personality.
Lulu is extremely ego centric and
vain. She flies into rages at the smallest provocation. She speaks loudly in a
theatrical and dramatic fashion. She treats people of lower class with distain
and venom - her fear of ever being associated with them being the driving force
in her hatred. Lulu is conversely extremely determined and focused. Her lack of
education was balanced out by a instinctual understanding as to the weakness of
others - a clear path to getting the upper hand.
She believes that happiness lies in
riches, awards and continued success. She will not admit to herself that the
two things that are lacking in her life - acceptance and real love - are what
she secretly longs for. Constantly dissatisfied, Lulu continues to lie to herself
and the world around her clinging desperately to her dying career.
