Character Scriptwriting Oakes Essential Story Elements World Character

Character Scriptwriting Oakes

Essential Story Elements • World • Character • Conflict

Character • Story starts with character. Some writers say this is the most important element in a story. • Give them life. Know your characters. • Avoid stereotypes and cliches • Research • Empathize with your character • Give them an arc/change (growth)

The Protagonist is Active • • Drives the action of the story Changes in some way at the end Wants something badly The goal/object that the protagonist desires cannot be easily achievable

Protagonist and Antagonist • In many movies, there is a character who provides the strongest obstacle to the protagonist. Such a character is known as the antagonist. • Though antagonists are often evil, this isn’t always the case. An antagonist can be a decent person who is simply at crosspurposes with the protagonist. • No matter how intense the conflict, the protagonist should continue fighting to achieve the goal.

Character Arc • Protagonist is changed over the course of the film • Wiser or stronger for example • Gradual change (Internal Progression) • The seeds of the character’s redemption or destruction are there at the beginning • Rick in Casablanca, Neo in Matrix

Appeal • The audience should find the Protagonist appealing in some way • This is who the audience is supposed to root for. • The audience doesn’t have to like the character but they should find something redeeming about them. • The Protagonist doesn’t have to be the “good guy. ” • Protagonist doesn’t have to be glamorous

Other Major Characters • • • Most features have 3 -5 main characters These characters may have arcs as well Romantic interest Friend or Mentor Antagonist – Strongest obstacle to the Protagonist’s goal – Equally matched to the Protagonist – Doesn’t have to be “bad” or villainous

Dramatic Function • The dramatic function of a character • logistical structure (cause>effect) • The function of the character in the story directly ties him/her to your plot. • The combination of roles among your characters can actually help to build your story outline.

DIALOGUE • Dialogue is a great way to reveal character. • You should strive to make your character sound unique and different from the other characters. • Dialogue should be idiomatic, maintaining the individuality of the speaker, yet still blend into the style of the screenplay as a whole.

Other • Orchestrate the cast (Star Wars, Fargo) • Add Dimension to the characters – Complexity and Fullness – Contrasting traits – May not be able to verbalize them

Memorable Characters

Tips • Be a Sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them in order that the reader may see what they are made of. - Kurt Vonnegut • What is the worst thing that can happen to this person?

Profile - Assignment • Create a character profile for the protagonist in your short film • Include Physical, Cultural, Personality traits • Character actions should be consistent with the personality • Character dialogue should be consistent with the personality