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Questions the writer should be able to answer

insert_cliche_here

insert_cliche_here

What are some questions a writer should be able to answer about their characters? Aside from age and appearance, what is important to note for future reference? Like, the script I'm working on has a character at the start who is an older version of a character who comes into it later. I realised when I went back to the start that the older and younger versions of the same person talk quite differently, and there are things the older version refers to I can't imagine the younger version ending up with. If that makes any sense.
So I guess my question is, what do you guys like to know about your characters before you feel a sufficient amount of development has been done? What other techniques are useful for character development?
I guess the way they talk is important to keep consistent. Their family/upbringing, their attitudes, religion or beliefs, significant experiences that would lead to a particular opinion and so on.
 
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I generally form a very rough idea of a character very quickly. Things like age and basic personality traits. I try to have a pretty generalized impression of the character before I start because I like to try and surprise myself as I develop the character further through the actual writing.
 
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Good point. I guess it's like most things, there's different ways to do it, and you've gotta go with what works for you. I'm going through my draft now and writing down little bits about each character that I think it will be important to remember in order to keep them consistent. Thanks for your input :D <3
 
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As always I have to preface with "I'm not a writer." However, even as a sound designer I need the director to tell me about the emotional make-up and motivations of the characters. Somewhat to my surprise many can't do that. Something else that continues to amaze me is that most filmmakers cannot tell me what their film is about. No, not the characters, not the story or plot. It can be as obvious as "It's a romantic comedy" to something like "It's about choices" or "It's about mental anguish."
 
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I think I tend to draw a lot of myself into my characters, so I feel connected to them.
That question got me the other day! Someone asked me what my screenplay was about and because they know I talk a lot they added 'like in simple terms' and I was like. Uuuuh. It's a drama? Lol. But he gave me something to think about and I think I've got a better grasp on what it's about, not just the plot, now. If that makes sense.
You make a good point, is my point. Thanks :)
 
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People and their emotions make them react to situations differently.

A person who is cheerful receiving bad news (like a pet dying) can recover much faster and get on with their lives.

A person who is apathetic and doesn't enjoy life as much hears the same bad news and it could send them over the edge...

Knowing your character's emotional tone can help you figure out how they will react in different situations, that's all.
 
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insert_cliche_here said:
I think I tend to draw a lot of myself into my characters, so I feel connected to them.
That question got me the other day! Someone asked me what my screenplay was about and because they know I talk a lot they added 'like in simple terms' and I was like. Uuuuh. It's a drama? Lol. But he gave me something to think about and I think I've got a better grasp on what it's about, not just the plot, now. If that makes sense.
You make a good point, is my point. Thanks :)
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you want to know your characters and the theme. the plot will create itself when you mix it all together. plot isnt that important anyway, unless you're writing a hollywood blockbuster.
 
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insert_cliche_here said:
Good point. I guess it's like most things, there's different ways to do it, and you've gotta go with what works for you. I'm going through my draft now and writing down little bits about each character that I think it will be important to remember in order to keep them consistent. Thanks for your input :D <3
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Well by surprised (in a good way) as you go through it is one of the things about writing that's kept me coming back for most of my life.

I was thinking about this a little yesterday and if anything I usually know more about the characters than I do how the story is going to go.
 
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What do they want? What would they do if they don't get what they want? How far would they go to get it?

What do they fear? How do they react when they're afraid? Do they run or fight? Are they a survivor or a victim?

What and who do they love?

What makes them nervous?

What makes them happy? Or sad?

And what do they need to learn throughout the course of the story?

I really like to get into their heads. Maybe that's why it takes me so long to get a story on paper. I need to connect with them until they're talking to me as someone other than my own inner voice. It's like a role playing game. I need to become them.

Maybe I'm just weird. :lol:
 
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I think I work backwards. The character's actions define him. I have him (her) behave in the way that presents the story the way I want it presented, then at the end those actions have defined the character. Not that I don't have any idea of what they are like, but what I want them to do on screen creates that character rather than having the character define what occurs on screen.
 
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Whenever I'm writing anything I dedicated a big book or ringbinder to character histories.

What I do is give each character one page (to start with) and write down the basic facts about them (age, location, family, description...etc.) stuff that is essential before you start writing. Then whilst writing a certain amount of information comes along organically. I tend to write quite detailed prose, so whenever I slip in a piece of information, however random/irrelevant it might seem at the time, I make a note of it in the character book.

Continuity is a complete b**** if you don't make proper notes from the very beginning. And editing anything is nigh on impossible. You'll have to make them at some point, so it's best to do it as you go along.
 
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A character, to me, is never finished. He/she evolves, as you yourself grow, as the story develops. Yet they should have a motive or a reason, to elucidate their creation from the very beginning.

That is the one queston you must know. How they develop is the exciting part.
 
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