Performance

• Renton is introduced smirking maniacally directly at the camera, giving a clear insight into his character which makes the following events not so shocking (involvement with underage Diane & final betrayal). Although he is objectively not a good person, he is made to be likeable and charismatic throughout as the audience is positioned in the narrative to follow his journey, witnessing his boyish charm.
• Spud is portrayed as aimless and amiable, acting as comic relief (e.g. faeces bedsheet & speed-aided interview). He is the typical happy-go-lucky buffoon that wouldn't hurt a fly, which is seen through his shambling gait, inarticulate speech and hapless behaviour, best demonstrated in his job interview scene.
• Begbie is portrayed as violent and explosive, he is a "firecracker". His short sharp hand movements, fierce verbal delivery and constantly having his chest puffed out best illustrates this point.
• Sightseers performance is derived from a caravan holiday actors Lowe (Tina) and Oram (Chris) went on together to aid scriptwriting so that the characters had plausible realism.