1. Character
Scriptwriting
Oakes

2. Essential Story Elements
World
Character
Conflict

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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 cross-purposes with the protagonist.
No matter how intense the conflict, the protagonist should continue fighting to achieve the goal.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. Memorable Characters

13. 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?

14. 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