A character needs:
- Wants and Needs
- Something that is stopping them from getting those wants and needs
- A clear motive
- A personality and behaviours/quirks
- Likes and dislikes
- A backstory
- A set of 🍃 Core Beliefs
In every scene, the character needs to begin in one place, and end in a different place. Each scene should be it’s own little character arc that pushes the character forward. If a character doesn’t end in a new place, you need to re-write it.
Drama is about people changing as they attempt to overcome obstacles to achieve their wants and desires.
Stories can either be character-driven or plot-driven. Character driven is preferred because that means the action comes out of the genuine emotional imperatives of the main characters.
When a story is plot driven, the characters are forced into situations that don’t ring true to their nature and the story just becomes a mechanical device.
When making a character, there are two aspects to consider: the inner self and the objective reality. Who they are and what they look like? What they think and how they behave? Usually, the bigger the difference, the more interesting the person. In a film we don’t have an author’s voice telling us the inner story. We only know our characters through what they say and what they do
The Inner Self
- Intelligence: Smart, stupid, average
- Mental abilites: Languages, skills, talents etc
- Personality: Happy, depressed, introvery/extrovert etc
- Temperment: Easy going, optimistic/pessimistic, angry etc
- COmplexes: Compulsive, inhibited, prejudiced etc
- Frustrations: regrets, failures
- Feelings: what are their most common feelings? What are the most comfortable/uncomfortable with?
- Self-regard: what they like of dislike about themselves?
- Hidden aspect: What aspect do they keep hidden from others, or even themselves?
- Major life altering events: death, winning awards, illness etc
The Outer Self
- Age: Do they show or hide it? How do they feel about it
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Height and weight/physique
- Mannerisms
- Speech: Accent, tone, sayings
- Dress and general appearance: Low effort, fancy, etc
- Diet
Socio-economic status
- Occupation
- Environment: Home, area
- Interests: Hobbies, pastimes
- Religion
- Politics
- Values: Virtues, morals, ethics
- Lifestyle
- Goals and ambitions
- Education
Other
- family
- birthplace
- race/nationality
When writing a character you should:
- Define their exterior life and interior life
- Define the characters wants, needs, desires, ambitions
- Define what is stopping them/the obstacle in the way of achieving that
- What is their backstory
- What do other people think of them?
- What is relatable about them?
See also: 🍃 How to Write Good Dialogue
Source:
- A guest lecturer we had at uni (about 95% of this page)
- My own personal thoughts on what makes a good character.