Creating memorable and compelling characters is one of the most important skills in the film industry. Whether you are a writer, director, actor, or producer, you need to know how to make your characters stand out from the crowd and connect with the audience. In this article, you will learn some tips and techniques to help you achieve this goal.
Different genres have different expectations and conventions for character development. For example, a comedy might require more exaggerated and quirky personalities, while a thriller might demand more complex and unpredictable motives. You should research your genre and study the examples of successful characters in similar films. What makes them appealing, relatable, or intriguing? How do they fit into the tone and style of the film? How do they contrast or complement each other?
It's a recipe: Provide 3/4 cup, detailed backstory to include family, where they grew up, their friends, hobbies, likes/dislikes... then provide 1/4 cup of unique flavor which is a trait that makes them stand out: amplify it, whether it's considered good, bad, or quirky. Add to that a dash of vulnerability at moments. Then bake!
Give your character a fantastic origin, strong motivations, and make them relatable to the audience. Never dwell on the humdrum of their lives and trivialities like race, religion, gender etc... unless it is instrumental to the story. Give them a reason to be doing what they are doing, that makes sense, and clearly shows the consequences if they are unsuccessful.
A backstory is the history and background of a character that explains their personality, behavior, and goals. It can include details such as their family, education, occupation, hobbies, relationships, traumas, secrets, and dreams. A backstory can help you flesh out your character and make them more realistic and consistent. It can also provide opportunities for conflict, drama, and character growth. However, you should avoid dumping too much information or irrelevant details on the audience. Instead, you should reveal the backstory gradually and organically through dialogue, action, and flashbacks.
No one is perfect, and neither should your characters be. Flaws are the weaknesses, shortcomings, or vices that make a character human and vulnerable. They can range from minor quirks and habits to major flaws and sins. Flaws can create challenges and obstacles for your character, as well as opportunities for change and redemption. They can also generate sympathy and empathy from the audience, who can relate to their struggles and mistakes. However, you should avoid making your character too flawed or unlikable, or they might lose the audience's interest or support.
A goal is what a character wants or needs to achieve in the film. It can be external, such as saving the world, finding love, or solving a mystery, or internal, such as overcoming a fear, learning a lesson, or finding peace. A goal can drive the plot and motivate the character to take action. It can also create conflict and tension, as the character faces obstacles and opposition from other characters or forces. A goal can also show the character's values, beliefs, and desires, and how they change or grow throughout the film.
A unique character is one that stands out from the rest and has something distinctive or original about them. It can be their appearance, voice, mannerisms, skills, hobbies, or anything else that makes them different and memorable. A unique character can catch the audience's attention and curiosity, and make them want to know more about them. It can also add variety and diversity to your film, and avoid clichés and stereotypes. However, you should avoid making your character too weird or unrealistic, or they might lose the credibility or relatability.
Show, don't tell is a classic rule of storytelling that means you should use visual, auditory, and sensory details to convey your character's traits, emotions, and actions, rather than just stating them. Showing is more effective and engaging than telling, as it allows the audience to see, hear, and feel what your character is going through, and to draw their own conclusions and interpretations. Showing can also create more suspense and mystery, as you can hint at things without revealing them. You can use various techniques to show your character, such as dialogue, body language, facial expressions, gestures, props, costumes, settings, and music.
I believe method acting is the most powerful way to embody a timeless character by immersing yourself as that character. From imagination and development, to experimentation and practice, rehearsal to revisions and final transformations, become that role and be that character.