Pro Writers Swear by these 9 Character Building Techniques

Summary

This video offers valuable insights into creating compelling characters in storytelling. It emphasizes the importance of complexity, contradiction, and emotional depth. Key techniques include introducing characters through actions and dialogue, making them multi-dimensional by giving them past traumas, present struggles, and uncertain futures. The script advises against clichés, encouraging writers to make characters act in counterintuitive ways, possess odd habits, and wrestle with both external and internal conflicts. It also highlights the need for characters to be relatable, likable, and layered, engaging the audience by challenging perceptions and creating foils.

Takeaways

• 😀 Characters should react unexpectedly in extreme situations to showcase their unique personality (e.g., laughing in the face of danger).
• 😀 A character’s physical or emotional baggage, represented by objects they carry, can deeply reflect their personality and struggles.
• 😀 Contradictions in a character's traits (e.g., tough but sentimental) add complexity and intrigue, making them more relatable and multifaceted.
• 😀 When introducing a character, show them saying something, doing something, and presenting a problem to quickly establish their role and personality.
• 😀 Characters should be likable through relatable flaws or virtues, making them human and fostering an emotional connection with the audience.
• 😀 Giving characters an odd, quirky habit or behavior can make them stand out, but ensure the habit has a deeper emotional or psychological reason.
• 😀 A character’s perception of themselves should be different from how others perceive them, creating tension and interest for the audience.
• 😀 Foil characters (like sidekicks or antagonists) should be used to highlight and contrast the protagonist’s qualities, revealing more about their journey.
• 😀 To create a rich character arc, ensure your character’s past, present, and future are interwoven, with the past haunting them, the present challenging them, and the future uncertain.
• 😀 A multi-layered character conflict should involve both an external problem and an internal struggle, offering deeper narrative complexity and engagement.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on providing tips and techniques for building compelling characters in storytelling, with an emphasis on complexity, contradictions, and multi-layered development.

How can a character's reaction to events make them more interesting?

By having characters react in counterintuitive ways—those that defy expectations—writers can make them feel more original and dynamic. These reactions should be rooted in the character’s personality and backstory, creating unexpected but believable responses.

What role do a character's possessions play in revealing their personality?

A character's possessions provide insight into their values, emotional state, and history. Items can symbolize deeper aspects of the character, such as their fears, desires, or past experiences.

Why is it important to introduce characters with a memorable moment?

Introducing a character with a memorable moment—whether through dialogue or action—helps establish their core traits quickly and captivates the audience. This creates an instant impression of who the character is and what they stand for.

What is the difference between a main problem and a minor problem in storytelling?

A main problem is the primary challenge or conflict the character faces, while a minor problem is a secondary issue that adds complexity to the narrative. Both problems should intersect and create layers of tension, making the character's situation feel multifaceted.

How does a character's backstory influence their actions in the present?

A character's backstory should not just be informative; it must actively influence their present behavior and decisions. A character should be 'haunted' by unresolved issues from the past, which will affect how they navigate current challenges.

What does it mean for a character to be 'haunted' by their past?

Being 'haunted' by the past means that unresolved issues, traumas, or memories from earlier in the character’s life continue to affect them emotionally or psychologically, shaping their present actions and choices.

Why should a character worry about the future in a story?

A character’s worry about the future creates suspense and tension. It also adds a layer of uncertainty, reflecting their inner struggles and giving the narrative forward momentum as the character anticipates or fears what’s to come.

What is the benefit of having a character who faces both external and internal problems?

Having both external (e.g., a moral dilemma or a physical conflict) and internal (e.g., self-doubt, anxiety) problems makes a character’s struggles more relatable and complex. The interplay between these problems enriches the narrative and enhances character development.

How can creating contradictions within a character make them more compelling?

Contradictions within a character—such as conflicting traits, desires, or beliefs—create complexity and depth. These contradictions challenge the audience’s expectations, leading to a more nuanced portrayal of the character that feels authentic and layered.