SILENT HILL 3 CHARACTER COMMENTARY

Silent Hill 3 develops a rich story using a limited number of characters.
Let's look at a deconstruction of the transitions of their designs.

====

name:  Heather (Cheryl Mason)  
age:  17 (24)
sex:  f
job:  various part-time work

profile:  An ordinary girl that could be found anywhere.  She visits the 
mall to go shopping and finds that she has set foot into a nightmarish 
world.

creator's comment

Her name comes from Miss Heather Morris, who did Heather's voice and motion
in the game.  At first we had chosen the name Helen, but it was pointed out 
that this name is old-fashioned and so it was changed. 

rough sketch

IMAGE:  two sketches detailing facial features
French actresses such as Charlotte Gainsbourg and Vanessa Paradis were the 
models for these sketches.

IMAGE:  Heather in three different outfits
The outfit designs include coloring.  Many of these drafts were considered.

====

name:  Douglas Cartland  
age:  late 50s
sex:  m
job:  private detective

profile:  A middle-aged private detective who handles missing person and 
personal conduct cases.  He originally worked as a police detective but 
retired ten years ago.  On that occasion, he and his wife were divorced.

creator's comment

His name comes from a famous actor from the 1920s, Douglas Fairbanks.  
Simply put, this name just seemed to suit him.  There is no real connection 
to his namesake.

rough sketch

IMAGE:  two sketches detailing facial features
Actors such as Ian Holm and Giancarlo Giannini were the models for these 
sketches.  

IMAGE:  an outfit sketch
It seems that his image as an unremarkable middle-aged detective was
solidified in the early stages of design.

====

name:  Claudia Wolf  
age:  29
sex:  f
job:  priestess in a religious organization

profile:  A priestess who believes deeply in her religion.  In order to 
create paradise, she shadows Heather and attempts to cultivate the hatred 
inside of her.

creator's comment

Her name comes from an Italian actress from the 1960s, Claudia Cardinale.
Originally we had named her Christie, but it was pointed out that this
name is too "cute" and so we decided to change it. 

rough sketch

IMAGE:  a flowing dress that covers her head and arms
A draft featuring a long robe that trails along the ground.

IMAGE:  a saintly figure with a halo
Of the four characters, her design was the most difficult.  Dressing her 
like a holy woman was considered as well.

IMAGE:  no hair and tattoos
An early design in which she is a skinhead covered in tattoos.  This 
design was discarded.

IMAGE:  three sketches detailing facial features
The model for these sketches was Hollywood actress Julianne Moore.

====

name:  Vincent
age:  24~26
sex:  m
job:  priest in a religious organization

profile:  A young priest who is at odds with Claudia and supports Heather
in order to thwart her plans.  The prospect of putting himself in physical 
danger scares him.

creator's comment

His name originates from Vincent Gallo, an actor known for films such as
Buffalo '66.  The association is suggested by his unshaven look.  He isn't 
cool like his namesake, though. 

rough sketch

IMAGE:  Vincent in three different outfits
Although Vincent's clothes in the game are formal, casual outfits were 
considered as well.

IMAGE:  two sketches detailing facial features    
Modeled after the actor Ethan Hawke.  These sketches emphasize derangement 
and moodiness. 




back