How to Create Fictional Characters for Films
Screenwriting Hints & Tips on Creating Protagonists for Screenplays
May 26, 2009
Anyone hoping to pursue a screenwriting career must know how to create conceiving vivid and compelling characters that appear to have a life of their own. Examples such as Hannibal Lecter and Mr Chips are good examples. With such gems, the character propels the plot and become a driving force for the screenwriter. But how are such characters thought up?
Screenwriting Tips for Making Characterization Compelling
For screenwriters who don’t know where to begin, drawing up a character profile from a questionnaire for things like, age, sex, marital status and so forth, might help the character begin to emerge within the screenwriter’s mind. Such detail and even the character’s name has a fundamental effect upon their physical appearance and the inner forces that might drive their behaviour. Sensitive observation of everyday life accumulates within the screenwriter’s mind, forming an understanding of how these details can shape a person. Just a few examples are observations of the people encountered in shopping centres, colleagues at work and experiences of family get-togethers.
Crafting Heroes and Villains for Films
Knowing the character’s appearance and their biographical details is one thing, but it is entirely another to know what really makes them tick. One without the other is like an empty husk. This essential component of characterization is what breathes life into the fictional character, drives their behaviour and their dialogue. This may well involve looking deep within one’s self and relating one’s own drives and desires to the creative process. Utilizing Freud’s theory on ego states for creating characters can be enormously helpful. Intricate empathy with the character will result in a character-driven screenplay and an authentic feel to the protagonists.
How to Avoid Stereotypes in Films
Everybody can spot one: the eccentric professor, the studious librarian, the strict headmaster. These are characters that are so familiar and overused, they become engrained upon the subconscious. Be very wary of a character that pops too easily into the mind. It has probably been sourced from a previous film, book or fairytale. It is one thing to have one as a minor character, but to allow a stereotype to be a hero will result in a hackneyed screenplay.
How to Write a Script with Compelling Characters
Characters with stereotypical aspects suddenly become more interesting with an unusual spin that brings a contrast. An unusual characteristic, unexpected past or intriguing secret will bring them out in sharp relief. For example Hannibal Lecter could have simply turned out to be your average serial killer, but his brutal nature was brought into sharp relief by his penchant for culture and his sensitive drawings within his prison cell.
Screenwriting Techniques for Creating Believable Characters
Interesting characterization is likely to lead to a compelling screenplay. Stereotypes must be avoided, but adding an unexpected spin upon them will suddenly make them stand out. Drawing up data on things like physical appearance, style of dialogue, biographical details and name might help unleash the creative process within. But understanding what drives the protagonist, knowing their innermost fears and desires will breathe life into the character. The only way to do this is to draw something of this from deep within and to project it in some way onto the character.
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