Character Development

The 7 Main Character Roles in Film: Ultimate Guide to Archetypes

Let’s explore the seven main story character roles in film.

Top 5 Greatest Movie Villains of All Time

Examining some of the greatest movie villains of all time can give great insights into how to create a great villain for any story. Take at look at these top 5 greatest movie villains of all time.

Here's How To Prevent Your Character Becoming a Mary Sue

Screenwriting Experts Ted Wilkes and Phil Hughes On How to Balance Great Characters with a Strong Structure

How Character and Structure Are Not as Different As You Think

How to Write a Character Bio

Here's How You Can Bring Your Perfect Character to Life

What Is a Protagonist?

A protagonist is the main character in your script - so it’s important you write a great one.

What’s an Antagonist? Definition and Examples

An antagonist in film and literature is a character that directly opposes the protagonist of the story.

What Is Catharsis in Film?

If you want to write a great screenplay, you need to know how to create an emotional connection with your audience. Catharsis is one way you can achieve this.

How To Write Character Backstories & Why They Are Important

Every person on Earth has a backstory and characters in a screenplay are no different. If you want your story to be remarkable, you need to learn how to write compelling character backstories.

What Is an Anti-villain?

Anti-villains aren’t your typical villains. What is an anti-villain and what makes them so compelling?

What Are Archetypes in Film?

For centuries, many stories have revolved around classic character structures. Let’s learn about what archetypes are in film and how you can reinvent them.

What Are Stock Characters?

Stock characters don’t have to be flat. They can do much more than fade into the background of your screenplay.

What Is a Flat Character in Film?

Here’s a look at why we don’t want flat characters, with examples of round characters that are fully developed.

Breaking Down "The Batman"

The latest adaptation of The Batman gives a fresh take on a classic character.

What Is External Conflict?

External conflict is the heart of all narratives. How can you use external conflict in your screenplay?

4 Character Tropes To Avoid in Your Screenplay

Are you avoiding these 4 character tropes that could be ruining your screenplay?

The War Within: Exploring Internal Conflict in Character

What makes characters feel human? What truly drives their actions? Breathe new depth into your story by exploring external internal conflict.

How To Create Characters for Your Screenplay

How do you know how to create great characters for your screenplay? Characters who your audience is going to remember for months and years to come?

A Foil Character: What Is It?

What is a foil character? A foil character fleshes out your narrative and can be used to highlight flaws in your main character or to divert viewers away from the real villain of the script.

How To Create a Character Profile: A Step-by-Step Guide

What is a character profile and how do you write one? Here is a step by step guide to help you write!

How To Write a Cathartic Character Arc

Learn how to write a compelling character arc that ties together plot and theme into a cathartic conclusion that will make a strong impression on a reader.

Stop Writing Conflict. Start Writing Conflicted

Drama is conflict. Read how to create compelling characters by favoring internal conflict over external conflict.

Character Breakdown: Cassandra, From “Promising Young Woman”

There are many ways to “break down” a character, and figuring out which paradigm is most useful to you can be difficult. Here's how.

Screenwriting Lessons from "Sound of Metal" Writer: What’s in Your Character’s Pockets?

An interview with screenwriter Darius Marder of "Sound of Metal" fame

Creating Fascinating Character Arcs

A fascinating character arc has to answer two questions: How do they change; and why should we care? Let’s look at three examples.

How To Write Great Villains

One of the main driving forces of any script is conflict; and villains often provide that conflict. Here’s a look at how to write a great villain.

The 5 Main Types of Movie Characters

Learn about the 5 main types of movie characters in a screenplay, how they work, and how to use them so that your story is the best it possibly can be.

Writing Secondary Characters

Learn about different types of secondary characters, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what benefits they can bring to your script.

The Benefits of Pre-Existing Relationships in Your Script

Pre-existing relationships can benefit your script in many ways such as providing natural exposition or the feeling of a lived in world.

How to Write a TV Pilot: 3 Key Steps

Learn how to write a great TV pilot in three key steps that covers absolutely everything you need to know before you decide to set pen to paper.

8 Character Development Lessons Every Screenwriter Can Take from "Fleabag"

To develop similarly dynamic, compelling characters in your own works, take these eight screenwriting lessons from Fleabag and her creator, Waller-Bridge, to heart. Words by Alexie Basil.

Screenwriting Exercises: Character Creation Step By Step

This article is a step-by-step guide to character creation so you can develop a compelling hero for your movie. As a bonus, we’ll also talk about creating villains.

How To Use Myers-briggs To Develop Authentic, Compelling Characters in a Screenplay

Here’s everything you need to know so that you can use MBTI to build more three-dimensional characters in your script.