Last time we looked at the importance of plot in your script. This week we take a look a characters and character development.

Characters

Now examine this plot-list you have constructed. Look for the characters in it. Characters are the bread-and-butter of your script, they are the most important aspect. Strong characters with weak plot always wins over clever plot with weak characters. This is the reason that comic characters like Superman, Batman or Captain America survive constant changes in plot and writer quality over their many, many years of existence - they are strong characters.

When people look to any visual or literature medium, they look for characters they can identify with. This can take the form of feeling akin to them, mapping on to the character traits they wish they possessed or even seeing somebody whom they despise. Either way people see aspect they can recognize within there characters and so are draw into the world you are creating.

In relation to ‘The Hero With A Thousand Faces’ Joseph Campbell constructed a list of what he called ‘Archetypes’. These are powerful characters, who role is almost symbolic and who’s role often connects straight into the subconscious of all of us. Once more I will use examples from ‘Star Wars’.

Hero/Heroine

Most active character, prepared to sacrifice. Flawed with human errors, the hero is missing something and drives towards this completion.

Luke Skywalker is an example of the hero from Star Wars. He knows he is missing something, he just doesn’t know what.

Anti-hero/Anti-heroine

 Society might be at odds with them, but they still display hero qualities.

Here we can use the example of Han Solo. He is an criminal and an outsider, but still helps those in need.

Mentor

The mentor is the spiritual guide to the hero. In the plot they function to give the hero something needed on the quest for completion. They do not have to be wise or old, but they are somebody/something/code who/that shows the correct spirit.

Obi Wan Kenobi is the mentor in Star Wars. His teaching ultimately gives Luke the thing that he is missing - the Force.

Shadow/Villain

The villain represents the unexpressed elements of the hero, the nasty stuff. They are often the opposite of the hero.

Darth Vader is the ultimate villain. He is powerful, merciless and destructive - the opposite of Luke.

Shape-shifter

The shape-shifter is a character who changes form the hero's point of view. They are the balance of the hero and the expression of change.

It could be argued that Princess Leia is the shape-shifter. She changes from the mysterious damsel in distress to a potential lover and a heroine.

Trickster

The trickster is the character that turns things on their head. They can have aspects in other archetypes.

The droid, R2-D2 is the trickster here. It makes funny noises and yet can surprise all the characters with its resourcefulness.

Guardian at the Border

This is the person or force the hero must pass or overcome to get into the dark cave.

Here this is Luke Skywalkers family home. To enter the dark cave of war, he must pass his Uncle’s scepticism and his Aunt’s fear.

Herald

This is the warning of change to come.

The dead Jawas are the herald that the Empire has come and all thing must change. That danger approaches the ordinary world.

Ally

The hero's or the shadow's side kick, can be expendable and is there to express qualities the other does not have.

Here the droid C3P0 acts as the ally. He is there to support the hero, but expresses the doubts and fear that the hero cannot.

Use this to gain a better understanding of your characters. Now re-examine your plot and write down a list of all there characters you have or will need. If you find this a long list, cut or amalgamate them. Having too many will mean you cannot concentrate on building those you do have. For each of the characters write a name, a biography, list of things they love and hate, motivations. Just a few paragraphs to help you define what you wish them to be. Use this data when writing to ensure that your characters fit the role you wish, or that if they break them, you know the context in which they do this.

Next we will look at how to structure your script.