Screenwriting : Character tips by Lori Jones

Lori Jones I call upon my personal experiences and consider that to be a prime resource. I like to sit in cafes and watch people. They tell me so much with their body language, style of dress and interactions with others.

My screenplays are also based on personal experiences, or when it came to writing The Wine Merchant, access to a detailed memoir. I too, have copious notes on conversations overheard, and visuals from real life. The Enneagramn suggestion can be used as an extra layer to spark the imagination when it comes to what lurks in the depths of people that cannot always be see or heard by others. The shadow side of individuals. The 'self' people learn to keep hidden.

Lori Jones I took a look at Enneagram. Seems to have similar questions to Meyers Briggs. I have also slotted people using the Big Five which allows a bigger bucket to fit characters in. https://www.simplypsychology.org/big-five-personality.html

Thanks for the book rec, Lori Jones! I'm going to check it out.

So glad that Stage 32 is now offering an Enneagram webinar. Check it out. I've found it to be helpful in fleshing out characters.

Great advice Lori! Bong Joon Ho says that understanding psychology is essential to his writing. Joseph Campbell references Carl Jung a lot in his works on storytelling.

BTW, it's also fun to figure out one's own Enneagram. :)

What a fantastic approach to character development! Using the Enneagram for character creation is incredibly sophisticated and shows real understanding of psychological depth in storytelling. The fact that you're thinking about how different personality types protect themselves, pursue goals, and navigate relationships demonstrates exactly the kind of character work that separates professional-level writing from amateur efforts.

Why This Approach Works So Well:

The Enneagram's focus on core motivations and fears creates characters who feel authentically human rather than just plot devices. When you understand a character's fundamental worldview and defensive patterns, their dialogue and choices become much more organic and believable.

Expanding Your Character Toolkit:

Since you're already working with personality typing, you might also find value in:

-- Attachment theory for understanding how characters form relationships and handle conflict

-- Cultural background research to layer authentic details onto your personality frameworks

-- Occupational psychology to understand how different careers shape perspective and behavior

Industry Application:

This level of character development is exactly what executives and producers look for - characters who feel real enough that audiences form genuine emotional connections. Shows like "This Is Us" or "Succession" succeed partly because the writers clearly understand the deep psychological patterns driving each character.

Have you found that certain Enneagram types work particularly well for specific genres? I imagine the interplay between different types could create really compelling relationship dynamics in both dramatic and comedic contexts.

Your psychological approach to character development is a real strength that can set your work apart in a crowded marketplace!

Thank you, Pat. Here is a quick view of 5 of the types. I use the Achiever, Performer in all of my projects because there are so many different and interesting ways to flesh out that character. For instance, when vanity is a strength, the vice/flaw of deceit can be written as funny, dangerous, or clever in a scene. It basically fits all genres.

Thanks for the tip Lori Jones ! I'm going to check it out

Yooooo! Thanks for sharing. I knew nothing about that. I sometimes struggle with personality descriptions in my screen writing. I looked up the Enneagram types and I think it's something I will use going forward.

I've been using the Enneagram book I mentioned for my characters, however, I just came across this article and the focus on cinematic characters is really helpful, even for me.

https://screencraft.org/blog/9-types-of-enneagram-personalities-writers-can-use-for-characters/