Shades of red can work well for an evil costume too because it’s a color usually associated with the Devil. Opt for a bold bright red if your character is outgoing, or a deep maroon or brick red for a more reserved evil look. Think about the fabrics that you choose for your clothing too. Leather tends to work well for evil characters, so consider incorporating a leather jacket, blazer, or vest in your costume. You can also opt for leather pants or a leather skirt. If your character’s evilness is a surprise that comes out during a climactic moment, you shouldn’t go with an obvious costume of head to toe black. Instead, give subtle cues with your clothing that your character might be evil, such as a black t-shirt with a basic pair of jeans.
If you’re not entirely sure what’s appropriate for your costume, consult movies or TV shows from the same genre for inspiration. If the play takes place in a specific historical period, you can also do an online search for information about clothing from the era so your costume is historically accurate.
Your character may require a specialty accessory, such as an eye patch, that can help add to the villainous persona. Don’t forget weapons, such as a gun or knife, that your character might use to cause harm to others.
With short hair, you’ll get a more intense look by slicking it straight back rather than parting it to the side. Pomades work best for slicking back short hair. A clay-based formula gives you a matte finish, while an oil- or water-based pomade provides some shine, which is usually a good look if you’re on stage. For women with long hair, start by applying mousse to the roots of your hair before blowing it back and away from your face. When you’re pulling your hair into a ponytail or bun, make sure that you brush all of it back and pull it as tightly as you comfortably can. Add some gel to the sides for a wet appearance. Whether you have short or long hair, give your slicked back style a final spritz with hairspray to ensure that it stays in place. Don’t overlook facial hair. A mustache or goatee can help give you a more evil look.
For a simple smoky eye, apply a dark shade, such as black, navy, plum, brown, or charcoal, over your entire lid, blending upward toward the crease. Next, apply a light shade under your brow and blend it into your lid shade. Finish off with black liner and mascara. [6] X Research source Pair your smoky eye with a mean red or dark colored lipstick for a more dramatic look.
Make sure to choose a brown contour shade that has gray undertones so it mimics the look of shadows. Use a small brush to apply the contour powder, so you keep the line defined.
Avoid looking away and blinking. Try to imagine that you’re having a staring contest with your co-stars – that can give you a more threatening look. Practicing your evil stare in front of a mirror can help you perfect it. You may also want to try it out on friends and family, so they can provide feedback on how to make your look even more sinister.
Identify your chest register by saying the word “whoa” in as deep a voice as you can. Keep your hand on your chest as you speak to feel the vibrations. Repeat the exercise several times. It may help to record yourself, so you can listen back to what your voice sounds like. If you’re having trouble connecting with your chest register, get down on the floor on all fours with your head down. Say “whoa” in as deep as voice as you can without straining yourself, and concentrate on the vibrations in your chest so you know how you should speak for a deeper sound. Practice your lines in your deeper voice to get used to speaking that way. You may also want to record yourself saying the lines so you can listen back and make improvements.
It often helps to start with a low laugh and have it become louder and deeper as it progresses. The pace of your laugh can help it sound more sinister too. For example, slowing down your normal laugh may be enough to give it an evil feel. Consider the context of the laugh when determining what it should sound like. For example, a light hearted, joyful laugh in a scene where your character has just witnessed the death of an innocent person can sound very evil.
Read your lines out loud so you can hear can hear which words you should stress. Highlight them in your script to help you when you practice. If you’re not sure which words to emphasize, talk to your director to see what they works best for your character.
Make sure that you understand what the character is angry about in every scene. It’s important to be able to justify it in your own mind. The amount of anger that you display should relate to what’s at stake. For example, if your character is about to lose all of his power, you should probably play full-on rage. On the other hand, if the character’s only been insulted, you may opt for more controlled anger.
If your back is to the audience for a certain scene, laughing at another character’s misfortune is an effective alternative to smiling. In some cases, simply continuing to watch while another character suffers physical or emotional abuse can indicate that your character enjoys their misery.
If you’re sitting down, lean back in your chair so you look as relaxed as possible. When you’re moving, do so in a slow, steady manner so you appear more purposeful.
Your evil character may be a sociopath or a psychopath. If that’s the case, it’s important to understand what that means. A sociopath typically has a weak conscience that may make them feel a little guilt after an evil act, but not enough to stop them from committing the act. A psychopath usually doesn’t have any conscience and feels no remorse for the evil acts they commit. [17] X Research source Sociopaths are typically a product of their environment and experiences, while psychopaths usually have their evil ingrained in them.
Some evil characters are motivated by the desire for power, while others are motivated by revenge. In some cases, it may simply be the misery of others that motivates a villain.
In some cases, evil characters may only be able to feel for themselves, but that’s okay – fear and self-pity are still emotions that can make a character seem human.
