Ronnie is, after all, a real character! Or – maybe rather a type of character? Here it is worth taking a closer look and switching from colloquial to technical language.

A character is a figure if it has individual characteristics and is complex or even contradictory. Characters can surprise the viewer and their actions are not always predictable.
A type of character is someone without this individual imprint. These characters can often be described in just one sentence, can be easily recognised by the viewer and often correspond to stereotypes that do not need further explanation. Whether we perceive a figure as a character or a type therefore does not only depend on their role in the film, but our interpretation is also shaped by our own media experience.

1. Divide the people shown below into the categories character and/or type. Which people are you able to describe with only one term or a short sentence? Use the note cards to do this.
2. Are there also people where you find it difficult to distinguish between character and type? Write down your thoughts on the note cards and compare your results with other members of your class.

1. You should also decide with Ms Jäger, the bank employee, and Mike, the cyclist, whether they are a character or a type or both, using the photo stories of their portrayal in Lola’s different runs.
2. Give a brief justification for your decision in the respective writing area.

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