Guided Schizophrenia

Here is a nifty little tool for living historians, contributed by Nick Korolev:

GUIDED SCHIZOPHRENIA
FOR WWII LIVING HISTORIANS

This little guide has been adapted from one used at Camp Verde AZ for Indian
Wars personas for those who wish to join or already are in the world of WWII
living historians.
To do things right and create a living breathing historical figure you will find
yourself multitasking in the same way an actor or actress must in order to
convincingly portray a character on the screen. It goes way beyond just putting on
a uniform or fashionable dress and parading around. You must know everything
possible about your persona from family and friends, likes and dislikes, schooling,
what you were doing before the war and the list goes on to include clothing and
social etiquette of the time. Answers may be found in biographies, histories and
on the net. Your new friends in the hobby will be glad to help you. If a person in
the audience asks a question you can not answer – admit it and tell them you will
find out. There is nothing worse than “faking it” in this hobby. We are in it to
teach WWII history as it happened. You must know your persona so well that you
will almost feel schizophrenic as the title implies.
The following list of questions you should know answers to apply to politicians,
military and civilian with room for your notes. There are probably even more
questions out there but these are the core basics you must be able to answer. For
living historians of other eras, all answers can be adjusted accordingly but the
same general accuracy should apply.

EARLY LIFE:
Where and what year were you born?
Mother’s name:
Father’s name:
List Siblings if any:
How was it growing up? Rich or poor? Farm or City? Did you move a lot?
What did you want to be when you grew up?

2
Military – Did you want a military career early on?
What was your early schooling?
Did you have a job?
PREWAR YEARS:
Did you go to a college or finishing school? What subjects were your specialty?
Did you go to a military academy? If so who appointed you? What years did you
attend?
Did you graduate? What was your placement?
Did you enjoy your school years?
Who were your best friends there?
Where did you go after graduation?
If a military academy graduate where were you assigned and for how long?

3
Were you in any conflicts pre-WWII? If so what were your experiences?
If not in the military what job did you have before the war and where was it?
What kind of housing did you have? Were you comfortable?
When and to whom did you marry? Where did you meet them?
Were there any children? List them with date of their birth.
Describe your clothing and who provides it.

4
Have you ever committed a crime? Were you ever arrested and for what?
Are you still in contact with family members and if so who?
WWII:
What made you get involved in the war?
In what capacity are you involved?
If you went to a military academy what do you think of your classmates (list them)
who are involved in the war?
What engagements have you been in? List battle and date. You will research these
later.

5
Were you in command at any of the battles listed above? If so list them and what
was your strategy in brief. If you were not in command, what was your part? Use
more paper if needed and attach.
Were you ever wounded, captured or killed. Explain below.
If you are the wife of an officer or soldier how do you feel about his involvement
in the war?
What do other commanders think of you/your husband?

6
If you have detractors and enemies among politicians and officers etc. list here.
Who are they and what is your opinion of them? Use added paper to answer this if
needed.
If you survived the war what did you do in your military or civilian life?
How would you describe your personality?
What are your likes and dislikes?
Do you know any famous people? If so who?