character Likable Characters

[Peebo]

I'm new to these forums, and I certainly like what I've read here already. So, here's my first question:

This may sound too general, but I'm curious to know when you know a character is "likable" enough to want to watch him. That he's not to passive, flat, dull, etc. Or even that when his actions turn, they don't seem so out-of-the-blue.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Uranium City]

I'll want to watch (or not watch) a character based on what he does. Whether or not I like him comes second to my interest in what he's doing onscreen.

 

[Buddy Greenfield]

Welcome Peebo

I agree with Uranium.

I’m not sure if you mean likeable protagonists or "interesting" characters (As some characters we love are horrible.)

For characters that are "interesting" (And could be likeable as well), to me it could be what they seem to represent, like “I know this guy has flaws, but I hope he can overcome or succeed in spite of them as a ‘Challenger of the status quo’ "

OR

Like watching a runaway train headed for a crash, like “I know this guy is screwed but I’m interested in how he goes down in flames as the status quo defeats him.”

In general, I like to witness the embodiment of shortcomings or flaws forced to choice, action and reaction against a grindstone of lost and/or gained via conflict and circumstance.

If there are flaming hurdles to jump, an Olympic Athlete is one thing, and a coked up Soccer Mom is another.


-Thanks-

 

[Adeimantus]

Buddy and Uranium have great answers.

Interesting characters to me in a film are those that change or grow over time, ALWAYS as a direct result of what obstacles they face and what choices they make when presented with those obstacles. Of course that's basic drama: thesis, antithesis, synthesis.

Conflict is everything. Without conflict, you have a moving-picture photograph (stasis) and characters I couldn't give a rat's ass about.

 

[wheatgrinder]

There are just likable folks, tom hanks comes to mind. Most his characters are nice likable guys..

What makes some one "likable" or "attractive" is pretty formulaic.

• We like characters that are funny, because were never that funny or quick witted in real life..
• We like characters that are really good at what they do, because were not that great at what we do..
• We like characters that do the right thing, because we don't always do the right thing..
• We like characters that have the same flaws we do, because we want to say "see, I'm not the only one!"
• We like characters that are suffering, unjustly, because we suffer unjustly...

Some of these may seem contradictory to one another, and thats just part of the human condition..


The goal is to make the audience have empathy, to share the feelings, of your character. Likable nice guy is one approach but as others pointed out, "likable" is NOT the only path to empathy for character.

 

[Papertwinproductions]

Whether they crash and burn, or come out fighting, I have to agree with the previous posts. What makes me give a damn about a character is what they do, how they do it, and why they are doing it.

If a character makes me feel anything at all, be that apathy, revulsion or sheer glee, it succeeded to evoke a response and therefore met its purpose.

 

[finderskeepers]

For me if I enjoy writing dialog and actions for the character THEN she/he is likable. If I find myself getting bored with writing what they do and say then the character is boring and unlikable. I don't have a cookie-cutter formula. It's a feeling I get during the actual writing process. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Padnar]

For me it is not possible to write a script with characters in mind . I feel the reader should have interst in the script . if one loses interest we lose the reader , so conflict is required. For one of my script I received comment that it is not necessary for every page to have conflict .
I still do tunderstand his comment
padma

 

[Peebo]

Thanks all. What I've seemed to find out is similar to what you guys are saying. Doing, conflict, etc. And I think a heavy amount of "liking" the character is understanding him before, during, and after you shoot. The actor is ultimately the character, so you must take all of your understanding and inject it he/she.