Character Development Strategies to Know for Screenwriting I

Character development is key to crafting compelling stories. Understanding a character's backstory, goals, flaws, and growth helps create relatable and dynamic individuals. This foundation drives the plot and enriches interactions, making the narrative more engaging and emotionally resonant.

1. Character backstory and history

   • Provides context for the character's current behavior and choices.
   • Influences relationships and interactions with other characters.
   • Reveals significant life events that shape the character's worldview.

2. Character goals and motivations

   • Defines what the character wants to achieve throughout the story.
   • Motivations can be driven by desires, fears, or needs, adding depth.
   • Goals create conflict and propel the narrative forward.

3. Character flaws and weaknesses

   • Flaws make characters relatable and human, adding complexity.
   • Weaknesses can lead to internal and external conflicts.
   • Flaws often serve as obstacles to achieving goals, driving character growth.

4. Character arc and growth

   • Illustrates the transformation of the character over the course of the story.
   • A well-defined arc shows how experiences change the character's beliefs or behaviors.
   • Growth can be positive or negative, impacting the overall narrative.

5. Dialogue and voice

   • Reveals character personality, background, and emotional state.
   • Unique speech patterns and vocabulary enhance authenticity.
   • Dialogue drives interactions and can foreshadow future events.

6. Physical appearance and mannerisms

   • Contributes to the character's identity and how they are perceived by others.
   • Mannerisms can indicate personality traits or emotional states.
   • Visual descriptions can evoke empathy or create distance from the audience.

7. Relationships and interactions

   • Shapes character development through dynamics with other characters.
   • Relationships can highlight strengths and weaknesses, revealing deeper layers.
   • Interactions often serve as catalysts for conflict and resolution.

8. Internal conflicts

   • Represents the character's struggles with their own beliefs, desires, or fears.
   • Internal conflicts add depth and complexity to the character's journey.
   • Resolution of internal conflicts can lead to significant character growth.

9. External conflicts

   • Involves challenges posed by outside forces, such as other characters or societal pressures.
   • External conflicts drive the plot and test the character's goals and motivations.
   • Resolution of external conflicts often reflects the character's internal growth.

10. Character-driven plot development

    • The plot evolves based on character decisions and growth rather than external events.
    • Strong character development leads to more engaging and relatable stories.
    • Character-driven narratives often emphasize emotional stakes and personal journeys.