Imagine watching a movie where the characters are flat and predictable. You’d probably lose interest quickly, right? As an indie filmmaker, your ability to create compelling personas can make or break your story.
It’s not just about having a great plot; it’s about populating that plot with characters who feel real, who evoke emotions, and who make the audience care. Over the years, I’ve learned that the audience’s connection to characters can elevate a good story to greatness.
Today I’ll give you some practical tips and insights on how to develop protagonists that truly stand out.
Why compelling characters matter
Characters are the soul of your story. They are the ones the audience follows, roots for, or sometimes despises. Compelling protagonists are essential for several reasons:
- They drive the plot: They make decisions that propel the story forward. Without their choices and actions, the plot would stagnate. Their motivations and goals create the events that keep the audience engaged and the narrative moving.
- Engage the audience: They make the audience invested in the story’s outcome. When characters are well-developed and relatable, readers or viewers become emotionally attached. This emotional investment keeps the audience hooked and eager to see what happens next.
- Convey themes: Through their actions and growth, they help convey the story’s deeper messages. Characters embody the themes and moral questions of the narrative, making these concepts more accessible and impactful for the audience.
Without well-developed personas, even the most interesting plot can fall flat.
1. Start with a strong foundation
Every character needs a backstory. This doesn’t mean you need to share every detail with your audience, but as the creator, you need to know where they come from. Their history shapes who they are and influences their actions and decisions. Understanding their past experiences helps you craft a more consistent and believable character.
Define their goals and motivations
What does your character want? Why do they want it? These questions are crucial in driving your character’s actions and the story’s plot. Goals give characters direction, while motivations explain why they pursue these goals, adding depth to their actions.
2. Make them relatable
Give them flaws! Perfect characters are boring. Flaws make protagonists human and relatable. They provide opportunities for growth and make your characters more interesting. Flaws also create conflict, both internal and external, which is essential for a dynamic story.
Show their growth
Characters should evolve over the course of your story. This growth makes their journey compelling and satisfying for the audience. Character development can involve overcoming flaws, learning new skills, or changing perspectives.
3. Create distinctive voices
Each character should have a distinct way of speaking that reflects their personality, background, and current state of mind. Unique dialogue helps distinguish characters and makes them more memorable.
Use body language
Non-verbal communication is just as important as dialogue. How a character moves, their facial expressions, and their gestures can reveal a lot about their internal state. Body language adds a layer of depth to interactions and can convey subtext that dialogue alone cannot.
4. Build relationships
How your characters interact with others can reveal a lot about them and drive the plot forward. Relationships add complexity to your protagonists and can be a source of conflict or support.
Create conflict and resolution
Conflict is essential for a compelling story. It creates tension and keeps the audience engaged. Conflict can arise from differing goals, personalities, or external pressures.
5. Avoid stereotypes
Avoid clichés and stereotypes that can make your characters feel one-dimensional. Instead, strive for complexity and depth. Unique personas are more memorable and engaging.
Make them multi-dimensional
Real people are complex and multi-faceted. Your characters should be too. Multi-dimensional protagonists can surprise the audience and reveal different aspects of their personalities as the story progresses.
6. Test your characters
Sometimes it’s hard to see your protagonists objectively. Getting feedback from others can help you identify areas for improvement. Outside perspectives can highlight inconsistencies or areas where your protagonists could be more developed.
Revise and refine
Developing compelling characters is an iterative process. Be prepared to revise and refine your protagonists as your story evolves. Don’t be afraid to make significant changes if it improves your story.
Final words
Creating compelling characters is a challenging but rewarding process. Remember to avoid stereotypes, seek feedback, and continually refine your characters. From my experience, protagonists who feel real and evoke genuine emotions can transform a good story into a great one.
