BIANCA DI ANGELO: Character Analysis & Acting Guide PROJECT OVERVIEW Project Type: TV Series Genre: Fantasy/Adventure Tone & Style: Grounded fantasy with emotional depth and coming-of-age themes Comparable Projects: "Stranger Things," "The Umbrella Academy," "His Dark Materials," "Shadow and Bone" Scene Context: This is from the Percy Jackson series, focusing on Bianca di Angelo, a 15-yearold demigod who's ercely protective of her younger brother Nico while struggling to nd her own place in the world. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN Who is Bianca? Bianca di Angelo is a 15-year-old girl caught between worlds – literally and guratively. Born in the 1930s but displaced in time (though she doesn't fully understand this yet), she's a protective older sister trying to navigate a new school environment while looking after her 12-year-old brother Nico. She's an outsider with vintage style (that "way out of style" oppy green hat and dress) who orbits social groups without truly belonging. Though she appears meek at rst glance, she reveals a erce protective instinct and surprising physical courage when standing up to bullies. How does Bianca see herself? Bianca likely sees herself primarily as her brother's protector and guardian. Her identity is wrapped up in being responsible for Nico, often at the expense of her own needs and desires. She's self-conscious about her outdated style (note her reaction to Annabeth's "vintage" comment) and aware that she doesn't quite t in. She feels caught between trying to make friends and ful lling her duty to watch over Nico. There's a weariness to her – she's been carrying this responsibility for so long that she barely knows who she is outside of being "Nico's sister." How do others see Bianca? fi fi fi fl fi fi fi fi • • • • fi Other teens: See her as an oddball or social mis t with her outdated clothes and hovering on the periphery of social groups Annabeth: Sees a kindred spirit, someone who might understand feeling displaced Zoë: Recognizes something special in her – a potential hunter of Artemis material Nico: Depends on her but may be starting to chafe under her protectiveness Authority gures: May view her with suspicion due to her protective nature being misinterpreted as aggression fi • • Authority gures: May view her with suspicion due to her protective nature being misinterpreted as aggression Entry points for the actor (similarities): • • • • • Have you ever felt like you didn't t in or were behind on social trends? Have you ever had to look out for a younger sibling or friend? Have you ever stood up for someone else, even when it made you unpopular? Have you experienced being the new kid at school? Do you know what it feels like to put someone else's needs before your own? Empathetic leaps (differences): • • • • Bianca has no parents and carries the full weight of responsibility for her brother She's been displaced in time (though she doesn't fully know it) She's discovering she has divine parentage She's had to be the "adult" in her relationship with her brother for a long time Character References: • • • • Susan Pevensie from "The Chronicles of Narnia" – responsible older sister Violet Baudelaire from "A Series of Unfortunate Events" – resourceful protector of siblings Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" – sacri ces for younger sibling Wednesday Addams – outsider with vintage style who doesn't care about tting in UTA HAGEN'S 9 QUESTIONS (CUSTOMIZED) Who am I? I am Bianca di Angelo, 15 years old, older sister to Nico, out of place and time. I was born in the 1930s but don't fully understand this yet. I have fuzzy memories of a previous life but can't quite place them. I've been caring for my brother for as long as I can remember. I'm a demigod, though I'm just discovering this. I'm quiet but brave when needed, preferring to observe rather than participate. I wear outdated clothes and have a serious, responsible demeanor that makes me seem older than my years. Where am I? In the rst scene, I'm in a school gymnasium at night during what appears to be a social gathering. I'm trailing on the edges of a group, not fully participating. Later scenes take place in different parts of the gymnasium and eventually in snowy woods outside what appears to be a camp. What time is it? fi fi fi fi fi It's nighttime during the school year, likely winter based on the later snow scene. For Bianca, time is confusing – she's actually from the 1930s but has been in the Lotus Casino where time moves differently. It's nighttime during the school year, likely winter based on the later snow scene. For Bianca, time is confusing – she's actually from the 1930s but has been in the Lotus Casino where time moves differently. What surrounds me? In the gym: other students, social groups, bleachers, a sense of being evaluated. Later: snow, cold, woods, uncertainty, but also the beginning of understanding my true nature. What are the relationships? • • • • • • Nico (brother): I am his protector, guardian, and only family. I love him deeply but sometimes resent the responsibility. Annabeth: A potential new friend who seems to understand what it's like to be different. Percy: Someone connected to Annabeth who seems to understand something about me and my brother that I don't yet. Zoë: A mysterious gure who sees something in me I don't fully recognize myself. The Bullies: Threats to my brother that bring out my protective instincts. Thorn/Authority Figures: Adults who don't understand or believe me. What are the circumstances? I've recently arrived at a new school with my brother. We have no parents and unclear origins. I'm trying to protect Nico while also nding my own place. I'm discovering that we're not normal teenagers but demigods with divine parentage, which explains why we've always felt different. There are supernatural threats emerging around us. What do I want? • • • • Scene 1: To protect Nico from bullies and maintain his dignity. Scene 2: To connect with a potential friend while navigating social awkwardness. Scene 3: To defend my brother against false accusations. Scene 4: To understand my true nature and parentage while keeping Nico safe. What's in my way? • • • • • My social awkwardness and outdated understanding of teen culture The responsibility of being Nico's sole protector My incomplete understanding of my own history and identity Bullies and authority gures who misunderstand my actions My hesitation to put myself rst or make connections How do I get what I want? • • • • • Direct confrontation with bullies when necessary Vulnerability with potential friends like Annabeth Standing my ground against authority gures Asking questions about my parentage and identity Physical action when words fail (shoving the bully) fi fi fi fi fi SCENE ACTION & PHYSICALITY SCENE ACTION & PHYSICALITY Bianca's physicality reveals her character in powerful ways: • • • • • • • Trailing vs. Beelining: Notice how she "trails on the periphery" of social groups but makes a "beeline" for Nico when he's in trouble. Her body language shows con dence only when protecting her brother. The Protective Stance: When confronting the bully, position yourself between them and your imaginary Nico. Make your body a shield. Your hands might be slightly raised, ready to act. Self-Conscious Moments: When Annabeth comments on your dress, look down at yourself with a mixture of embarrassment and resignation. This is a moment to physically shrink slightly. The Shove: This is a pivotal moment showing Bianca's surprising strength. Make it decisive and quick – not tentative. This isn't a girl who's uncertain when protecting her brother. Pulling Nico Close: In the snow scene, the physical act of pulling your brother close shows both protection and affection. Your body should curl slightly around his imaginary form. Eye Contact Patterns: Bianca likely maintains strong eye contact when defending Nico but may have more hesitant, darting eye contact in social situations with peers. The Floppy Hat Adjustment: Consider a small gesture of adjusting your imaginary hat when feeling self-conscious – a defensive mechanism that provides comfort. SUBTEXT & EMOTIONAL DEPTH Bianca's dialogue often carries deeper meaning: • • • • • • • • "Do we have a problem?" = "Back away from my brother or face consequences." "I was talking to the tough guy who took your cards." = "I see through your false bravado, and I'm not intimidated." "I think you think you are." = "You're not as tough as you pretend to be, and I'm calling your bluff." "I suppose..." (about her dress) = "I'm uncomfortable with attention on my appearance and don't know how to respond to compliments." "We've always had to look out for each other." = "We have no one else in the world but each other." "He doesn't remember our parents. I do." = "I carry memories and pain that he doesn't have to bear." "Neither mother nor father seemed like a..." = "I've been questioning the story of our parentage for some time." "So are we." = "I'm beginning to accept that I might be special too." Emotional Beats to Find: Resignation → Determination when leaving the social group to help Nico Controlled anger → Satisfaction when confronting the bullies fi 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 Controlled anger → Satisfaction when confronting the bullies Hurt → Isolation when the girls move away after the confrontation Awkward → Hopeful when connecting with Annabeth Defensive → Vulnerable when discussing your parents Skeptical → Awed in your nal interaction with Zoë CHARACTER POV & PERSONALIZATION Bianca views the world through a uniquely protective lens. She evaluates every situation rst by asking "Is Nico safe?" before considering her own needs or desires. This worldview comes from years of being the only constant in her brother's life. Her perspective is also colored by displacement – both cultural (from being in the Lotus Casino where time moved differently) and temporal (being from the 1930s). This gives her an oldfashioned sensibility that makes her seem mature beyond her years but socially awkward with contemporary teens. To personalize Bianca: • • • • Think about what it would be like to have hazy memories of a different era Consider how responsibility ages a person and creates a seriousness Explore what it feels like to want friendship but put duty rst Connect to the experience of being an outsider trying to protect someone you love BOLD ACTING CHOICES To avoid a one-note performance, nd opportunities for contrast and surprise: Vocal Choices: • • • • When addressing bullies, nd a lower, more commanding register than your normal speaking voice With Nico, allow moments of gentle sisterly warmth With Annabeth, show hesitation and social awkwardness With Zoë, mix wonder and defensiveness Physical Contrasts: • • • Create a distinction between "public Bianca" (stiff, self-conscious) and "protective Bianca" (decisive, powerful) Find moments where your fatigue with constant vigilance shows through Demonstrate both physical courage (shoving the bully) and emotional vulnerability (discussing parents) Surprising Elements: fi fi fi fi The line "I think you think you are" could have a touch of unexpected wit – Bianca isn't without humor fi • • • • The line "I think you think you are" could have a touch of unexpected wit – Bianca isn't without humor When Annabeth compliments your dress, try a moment of genuine pleasure before selfconsciousness takes over With Zoë, show a ash of curiosity and longing when she recognizes something special in you MOMENT BEFORE & BUTTON Moment Before (Scene 1): Imagine Bianca has spent the evening trying to blend in with a group of girls, making awkward attempts at conversation while keeping one eye on Nico. She's exhausted from the social effort but determined to make it work. When she spots the bullies targeting Nico, there's both frustration (her social efforts ruined again) and relief (returning to her comfort zone of protecting him). Button (Scene 1): After the confrontation, as everyone stares at her, consider a moment where Bianca straightens her outdated hat with dignity – a small gesture that says "I know I don't belong, but I stand by what I did." Moment Before (Scene 4): Before the snow scene, imagine Bianca has just learned about being a demigod. She's processing this revelation while still trying to protect Nico from this new reality. She's cold, confused, but also experiencing a strange sense of things nally making sense. Button (Scene 4): After saying "So are we," let a sense of wonder and possibility wash over you. This is Bianca glimpsing that she might be more than just "Nico's protector" – she might have an identity and destiny of her own. REHEARSAL & EXPERIMENTATION Run-Through Strategies: 3 fi 2 The Protector Run: Focus entirely on Bianca's protective instincts, making every choice about Nico's safety. The Outsider Run: Emphasize her social awkwardness and displacement, the feeling of being from another time. The Discovery Run: Play each scene as a step in discovering her true identity, with growing curiosity about her origins. fl 1 3 The Discovery Run: Play each scene as a step in discovering her true identity, with growing curiosity about her origins. The Tired Guardian Run: Show the weight of responsibility and how it has exhausted her over time. 4 Tactical Variations: • • • • Try one run where you use humor as a defense mechanism Try another where you're more physically imposing when confronting the bullies Experiment with different levels of social awkwardness with Annabeth Play with varying degrees of awe/skepticism toward Zoë Alternative Takes: For a second choice/alternative read, consider: • A more awkward, nervous Bianca who stands up to bullies through shaky determination rather than natural con dence A Bianca who uses sharp wit and verbal skills rather than physical confrontation A Bianca who shows more visible excitement about the possibility of divine parentage • • PREPARATION CHECKLIST • • • • • • • • • • Read through all scenes identifying Bianca's objectives and obstacles Create a quick character timeline (what happened before these scenes) Identify 3-5 speci c physical traits for Bianca Practice speaking in Bianca's voice, nding her unique rhythm Prepare "moment before" for each scene Run each scene 10+ times with different emotional approaches Record yourself and review for moments that feel authentic vs. forced Memorize sides completely so you can focus on emotional truth Create two distinct versions of the character for alternative takes Prepare questions about the character/context if you have a callback FINAL COACHING NOTES Bianca exists in a liminal space – between childhood and adulthood, between past and present, between duty and desire. The most compelling version of this character will show all these tensions without overplaying any of them. Remember that the most powerful moments often come in the silence between lines – when Bianca processes what she's learning about herself, when she makes the choice to confront bullies, when she realizes others see something special in her. Don't play her as a saint or a martyr – she loves her brother but likely resents the responsibility sometimes. Find those complex, contradictory human moments that make characters threedimensional. fi fi fi Most importantly, bring your unique understanding of feeling different, of caring for others, of wanting to belong while standing apart. That authentic emotional connection will make Bianca real, relatable, and memorable. Most importantly, bring your unique understanding of feeling different, of caring for others, of wanting to belong while standing apart. That authentic emotional connection will make Bianca real, relatable, and memorable. Now go show them what makes your Bianca impossible to forget.