Not developing your characters

In the process, art, and science of?#screenwriting, there are few greater skills to master than that of?#characterdevelopment. This is a big one for me! Admittedly, I go overboard or above and beyond with character development, however, it is still something that is heavily lacking in most spec?#screenplays. When the?#characters?are not realized, the?#writing?as a whole is going to suffer. You have to know your character's deepest fears, desires, and secrets to create obstacles and intent (which are the cornerstone of great prose), idiosyncratic dialogue, and a character-driven plot.

It is the hallmark of great screenwriting, and it can make or break a film. The most telling sign of a poorly crafted screenplay is the lack of well-developed characters. Characters without a backstory, motivations, desires, and flaws will never fully connect with the audience, and their story will ultimately fall flat. Weirdly the more specific you make your characters the more universal your script will be.

The power of a character's?#backstory?can't be overstated. It provides us with the necessary context to understand their every move, every word, and every thought. It's what makes them human, and it's what allows us to empathize with them. Without a well-crafted backstory, a character is nothing more than a two-dimensional figure on the screen.

It's not enough to simply give a character a backstory and call it a day. To truly create a character that resonates with audiences, a writer must craft individuals with relatable desires and flaws, just like real people. Characters who are too perfect, too without blemish, come across as unrealistic and, quite frankly, uninteresting. Imperfections make characters relatable, as we see ourselves reflected in their struggles and cheer them on as they overcome their obstacles.

As a writer, I make it a point to delve deep into my characters' psyches, exploring their unique voices, deepest fears, strongest desires, and hidden secrets that they keep to themselves. It's only when I've done this work that I feel confident enough to begin crafting the story. This level of character development isn't easy - it takes time and a willingness to explore the depths of one's imagination. But it's worth the effort. When characters are fully realized, they leap off the page and come alive in the minds of readers and audiences.

In the end, it's the writer's job to create characters that are complex, authentic, and deeply human. By tapping into our own "Memory Pallets" (experiences and emotions,) we can create characters that are not only believable but also deeply relatable. And when we do this well, we create stories that resonate with audiences, leaving a lasting impact long after the final credits roll.

Well-rounded characters are also essential for good execution of subtext (Everyone playing the Noah Subtext drinking game can take a drink.) in dialogue and action. When we understand a character's motivations, we can see beyond their words and actions to the deeper meaning behind them. It adds depth and richness to the story, and it creates a sense of authenticity that resonates with audiences.

Crafting well-written and intricately layered characters can be the key to luring top-tier talent to your script as it makes its way through the competitive and cutthroat world of the film industry. With their own production companies, A-list actors are constantly seeking new and interesting roles to explore, and complex characters can serve as a beacon, drawing them towards your project like moths to a flame.

However, it's not just about attracting stars to your project. It's about the depth and complexity of your characters. If your characters are one-dimensional and rely on stereotypes, it's difficult to garner interest from top actors or their representatives. Even if you have a massive budget, you'll still face an uphill battle to persuade them to get involved. A-list actors have plenty of opportunities to choose from, and they won't waste their time with superficial characters.

When it comes down to it, character development is the heart of a successful screenplay. It's what draws us in, keeps us engaged, and leaves us feeling fulfilled. We need characters that feel real, relatable, and dynamic. We need to see them grow and change, to have a sense of an arc of development that makes them feel like they've undergone a true transformation.

What makes a character complex?

It's not just a matter of giving them a tragic backstory or a quirky personality trait. It's about creating characters that are fully realized, with a history, a personality, and motivations that feel authentic and believable. A well-crafted character is one that an actor can sink their teeth into, exploring the nuances of their personality and bringing them to life on the screen.

To achieve this level of character development, it's important to take the time to fully understand your characters. As mentioned before, you need to know their strengths and weaknesses, their fears and desires, and what makes them tick. You should also strive to create characters that are unique and distinctive, avoiding stereotypes and clichés that can turn off potential actors.

By crafting characters that are rich and complex, you'll not only attract the interest of top-tier talent, but you'll also create a story that resonates with audiences. When characters are well-written, audiences are more likely to empathize with them and become invested in their journey. In turn, this can lead to critical acclaim, commercial success, and a career-defining performance for the actor portraying the character.

So, to all the baby screenwriters out there, remember that characters are everything. They are the ones who will carry your story, who will make it sing or sink. Take the time to develop them fully, give them a backstory, create their flaws and desires, and give them an arc of development. Crafting complex characters is a vital component of any successful screenplay. By investing time and energy into developing characters that are fully realized, you'll not only attract top-tier talent to your project but also create a compelling story that resonates with audiences. Remember, the key to success is in the details, and when it comes to characters, there's no detail too small, apart from visual descriptions that have nothing to do with the story. If it never comes up again that she was wearing a red dress there is no reason to put it in your screenplay. Now if a witness calls the killer fleeing in a red dress and earlier a character was wearing a red dress, now it is important to the story. Anyway, develop your characters out before you start messing with the plot.