Wrong Ways to Research a Role or Historical Protagonist. {Plus 2 Checklists}
And How You Can Support Your Talent as an Agent, Producer or Director?
1. Over-Relying on Wikipedia
Many start by browsing Wikipedia—understandable as a first step. But when they use it as the sole source, things can quickly go wrong. Wikipedia is a secondary source that’s often missing nuance or, worse, has up to 20% inaccuracies. The question is: which 20%? Without verifying with academic or primary sources, key details may be misrepresented.
2. Focusing on Historical Dramatisations
Watching films or TV shows based on historical events is tempting for research. However, these works often condense, dramatise, or exaggerate for entertainment, straying from factual accuracy. Mimicking these portrayals without a thorough fact-check can lead to portraying fiction, not history.
3. Mimicking Other Actors' Portrayals
That being said: Recreating another actor’s interpretation of a historical figure is a risky move. Every performance carries its own lens and bias, making it vital to create an original portrayal. Independent research ensures the character is built from actual historical context, not secondhand creative choices.
4. Assuming Modern Values
Projecting today’s moral and political views onto historical figures is a common mistake. It’s crucial to avoid assuming characters held modern perspectives on topics like gender roles, race, or social justice. Context matters—without it, characters risk feeling out of place for the period.
5. Relying on Unverified Online Sources
Google searches often lead to questionable websites or blogs with inaccuracies. While some content might be helpful, unverified sources can misinform more than they enlighten. Actors and filmmakers must prioritise credible academic articles, archives, or expert interviews to ground their work.
6. Overemphasizing Secondary Sources
Non-expert writers or older books might have incomplete views or outdated information. Even well-researched texts are limited by the material available at the time of writing. Balancing these with modern, peer-reviewed research and original documents ensures a more accurate depiction.
7. Neglecting Primary Sources
Firsthand accounts, or primary sources—diaries, letters, official documents—are essential for grounding characters in historical reality. Bypassing these rich resources can leave characters feeling hollow. These sources reveal personal nuances and lived experiences that bring depth to portrayals.
8. Using Outdated Research
Historical research evolves. New discoveries, better analysis and access to previously unavailable archives can change the narrative. Relying on outdated research risks missing important developments that could significantly alter a character’s historical context.
9. Assuming (Uniform) Political Views
Historical figures’ political or social beliefs often shifted over time. Whether it’s due to personal experiences or broader societal changes, these evolutions are critical for authenticity. Sticking to a single snapshot of a person’s views limits the complexity of their story.
10. Neglecting Historical Bias
Just as contemporary sources carry bias, older historians often wrote with limited perspectives or clear agendas. Not questioning these biases can lead to replicating skewed versions of history, especially when it comes to marginalised groups.
11. Simplifying Historical Context
History is rarely black and white. Oversimplifying an era’s complexities can reduce characters to caricatures. Actors and filmmakers need to grasp the intricate social, political, and economic forces that shaped the time period to avoid shallow portrayals.
12. Forgetting Emotional Context
Emotions change based on cultural norms, beliefs and historical experiences. People in past centuries reacted differently to fear, anger, love and ambition. Assuming emotions stay constant through time overlooks these contextual shifts and can lead to anachronistic acting.
13. Failing to Engage with Experts
Going it alone is tempting, but consulting historians, archivists or cultural experts can offer invaluable insights. Many actors or directors don’t recognise the depth they’re missing until they speak with someone immersed in the field.
14. Overlooking Social Norms
Customs, mannerisms and etiquette were very different in past centuries. Failing to learn these nuances—how someone dressed, greeted others, or ate—can lead to anachronistic performances. These small details add to a character’s authenticity.
Also try to change your view of these social norms: Today, in a world where everyone wants to be “individual” and full of “onlyness,” we view social norms from the past as constraining. In the past, they were often seen as guidelines or scaffolding that held a fragile society or group together.
15. Underestimating Research Time
Research takes longer than anticipated, and rushing the process risks overlooking crucial details. Starting late or skimping on in-depth study means missed opportunities to understand the nuances of a character, making the role feel shallow.
Checklist 2: How Can You Support Your Talent as an Agent, Producer or Director?
✅Encourage Early Research
Remind your talent to start researching early. The more time they have to dive into primary sources and consult with experts, the richer their performance will be. Early preparation leads to more nuanced portrayals.
✅Pay for Research Trips
Consider funding trips for your actors or scriptwriters to visit key locations, archives or museums. There’s nothing like seeing the environment or touching the documents that a historical figure once did to bring them to life. If that’s not possible, point them towards digital sources.
✅Bring in Professionals
Hiring a historical consultant can save your team weeks—if not months—of research. Experts provide valuable insight, verify details, and ensure accuracy. This collaboration enhances authenticity in the final product.
✅Check In on Progress
Regularly ask your actors or writers how their research is going. This keeps them accountable and motivated to stay on track. Checking in also offers an opportunity to address questions or challenges that come up during the process.
✅Promote Open Dialogue
Let your team talk through their research discoveries or creative choices.
Discussing ideas aloud helps actors, scriptwriters and directors solidify their understanding of the historical context, deepening their connection to the material.
✅Keep Them Focused
Help your team stay on topic by reminding them to avoid rabbit holes. Too much irrelevant research can derail the creative process. Offer guidance on where to direct their focus based on the needs of the story or character.
✅Support Collaboration
Encourage your actors and scriptwriters to collaborate on their research. Sharing insights with each other enriches their understanding of the historical context and fosters creativity, helping them build a more cohesive narrative.
✅Fund Expert Interviews
Sometimes, the best way to understand a character is by talking to experts in the field. Consider bringing someone in to conduct and compile interviews with experts, historians, archivists or eyewitnesses to add depth to the portrayal.
✅Be Mindful of Burnout
Research can be overwhelming. Keep an eye out for signs of burnout in your actors or team. Suggest breaks or lighter assignments to maintain balance and keep the creative process enjoyable.
✅Hold Them Accountable
If you notice your talent straying from historical accuracy, kindly steer them back. It’s easy to get caught up in creative interpretations, but authenticity should remain the foundation of the portrayal.
All best,
Barbara
Dr. Barbara = historian with German precision. Unreasonably fast reader 📚. 800 pages before lunch ☕. Helps actors & writers prepare biopics 🎬 and historical roles using forgotten archives, letters, and diaries 📜. More at https://withdrbarbara.com/ 👉 Start The Free Email Course