How to Create Characters

Summary

This video explores the essential components of building compelling dramatic characters in screenwriting. It focuses on how a character's beliefs, wants, and needs shape their actions and motivations, using examples from films like *The Matrix*, *There Will Be Blood*, and *Sicario*. The script discusses how characters' beliefs create internal conflicts and drive the plot forward, and how they interact with opposing forces. The video also delves into the importance of empathy and understanding in character creation, emphasizing that while characters don't always need to be likable, their motivations must resonate with the audience for a truly engaging story.

Takeaways

• 😀 Characters' beliefs are the foundation of storytelling and define their actions, goals, and struggles.
• 😀 A character's external want drives the plot, while their internal need represents their deeper emotional growth.
• 😀 A character's internal need is often rooted in a false belief or a 'lie' they believe about themselves or the world.
• 😀 Understanding the difference between a character's want and need is crucial for creating a meaningful, dramatic story.
• 😀 Characters' beliefs create conflict, and this conflict is essential for a compelling narrative.
• 😀 A character's external want is what drives the visible action in the story, but their internal need motivates their growth.
• 😀 The antagonist(s) of a story typically embody opposing beliefs that challenge the protagonist's wants and needs.
• 😀 Some characters, like Katniss in The Hunger Games, may not have a need within the story, as they are already whole.
• 😀 A character's journey is often about recognizing and confronting their false beliefs, which stops them from achieving their true need.
• 😀 Audience engagement is built by creating characters whose beliefs resonate on an emotional or philosophical level, even if the audience doesn't agree with them.
• 😀 Empathy with characters comes from understanding their motivations, even if their actions or beliefs are not always agreeable.

Q & A

What is the fundamental building block of creating dramatic characters in a story?

The fundamental building block of creating dramatic characters is their beliefs. A character's beliefs influence everything about them, including their wants, strengths, weaknesses, and how they approach the challenges in the story.

How do characters' beliefs influence the plot of a story?

A character's beliefs drive their actions and decisions, which in turn shape their wants and needs. These beliefs also create conflict with other characters and opposing forces, leading to the main events and plot of the story.

What is the difference between a character's 'want' and their 'need'?

A character's 'want' is their external, visible goal, which drives the main events of the plot. A character's 'need' is an internal, often subconscious desire, related to their growth and self-discovery, that they must recognize in order to achieve true balance or completeness.

Can a character's want exist without a deeper need?

Yes, some characters, like Katniss Everdeen from 'The Hunger Games', don't have a clear internal need because they are already complete. Instead, they influence others through their actions and the truth they reveal to those around them.

How do beliefs influence character arcs?

Beliefs are at the core of a character’s arc. A character’s belief system often faces challenges, leading them to evolve over the course of the story. The character’s internal conflict between their want and their need is crucial for the development of their arc.

What role do antagonists play in character development?

Antagonists create conflict by opposing the protagonist’s goals, beliefs, and wants. These antagonistic forces challenge the protagonist, pushing them to question their beliefs and grow, often leading to a transformation by the end of the story.

Why is it important for characters to have contrasting beliefs in a story?

Contrasting beliefs between characters create philosophical conflict, which enriches the narrative and deepens the story. This conflict challenges the audience’s perceptions and provides layers of meaning throughout the film.

How can a character’s beliefs lead to audience engagement, even if the character is not 'likable'?

A character's beliefs, whether they are relatable or not, help the audience understand why the character behaves in a certain way. This understanding fosters empathy and engagement, as the audience can connect with the character's motives, even if they disagree with their actions.

How does the concept of empathy play a role in character creation?

Empathy in character creation is about making the audience care about and understand the character. This connection is fostered by giving the character beliefs and actions that are consistent and relatable within their worldview.

What can we learn from characters who don't change, like Daniel Plainview or Katniss Everdeen?

Characters who don't undergo significant change, like Daniel Plainview or Katniss, serve as symbols of specific values or truths that challenge other characters or the world around them. They reveal deeper truths about the environment or society they inhabit, even if they don't experience personal growth.