Screenwriting : Character Analysis by Chelsea Beckley

I'm such a creature of habit: I write out everything I think I know about my characters, their personalities, their backgrounds, pretty much everything short of a bio. Then I delve into what function they have to the story, and their place in it. Making sure the plot and character arc meld decently together. For me, after I script a few drafts, I'm still tinkering with character, so my process can be wonky haha

I'm super low-tech; I use a Google Doc and figure out my characters' goals (external internal), motivation (internal and external) and potential conflicts to each. Then I write a paragraph backstory that makes these goals and motivations make sense. Finally, I close with a question like "Can X find his true love without alienating his friends?" which is the character question that the story will follow.

No. I don't. I create a story synopsis, and every character in that story summary serves a function. As I write the screenplay, I develop independent character voices for the characters. I once worked with someone who developed overwritten character maps, backstories, and educational backgrounds. Yet, he couldn't write his way out of a paper bag after all that effort.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique thats how I’ve always written stories but every script consultant I’ve talked to has told me to “know my characters”, know who each person is and how they fit into the plot. But I feel like every time I delve deep into a character the more confused I get with the plot and how I want that to go. I may be overthinking this haha!

@james welday

that’s how I was doing it but then I get confused and the plot I originally had laid out gets lost

I used to do a word doc but now I use the notes tab on my phone and it really helps me write down all my ideas and go back and edit them. Usually I use bullet points and just focus on the important characters where I come up with small character bios and then a plot synopsis which explains what they do in the story

Chelsea:

I forgot to mention that sometimes I write outlines, but even then, I'll create an idea for a character and jot down a line or two about their function in the story. That allows me a wide creative birth during the screenwriting process. For example, in my latest screenplay, a female cop that was supposed to have a small role in the story ended up being the third main character.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique ive honestly found myself doing the same thing lol

I use Microsoft Word to outline my characters, Chelsea Beckley. I outline their hobbies, habits, backstories, daily routines, relationships, story goals, life goals, fears, flaws, skills, etc.

I start with a brief character bio & a thin web of an outline. As I delve into the story, everything and everybody goes through changes. Sometimes (often) bit players and walk-ons develop in stature with new conflicts - they often become major support characters. I've found that interweaving the A storyline with a solid B & C... storylines make for a far more entertaining script.

Yes I do. Here are two things I like to use.

https://youtu.be/IX77Ohvx4Hs

https://youtu.be/euOCDfIulQ0

Hi Chelsea,

I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to the first stages of my writing, especially if it's a long form piece (anything that's aiming at 30 minutes or longer) .

I'll write a single page where I roughly plan the three acts (that's always a good guideline to have your three acts mapped out, even if it's as simple as what you want to achieve by the end of each act) . Write what your "A Story" is and what you think your "B Story" will be.

Then I'll write down who the main players will be, even whom I think the minor players will be .... how they will interact and weave into one another's stories.

That's the "bible" that everything then flows from.

Why do I write in old fashioned on pen and paper?

well,, it's just me, but I find it easy to have it written in front of me as I type away with my screenwriting software rather than flicking between tabs on my computer. That's just me! You can type it all out onto a word document and print it out too (which I do sometimes too, especially when I am co-writing !)

then it's time to let the story evolve on the paper/screen organically .

Anyhoo .... that's how I like to work .

Hope that's been of assistance

I use a questionnaire to create a bio for characters. PreWrite has some useful features for sketching character bios and mapping them throughout the script outline.

This is also useful:

I write the outline first. When I rewrite the ourline I start filling the blanks of who each character is. I do the same with the screenplay writing. This way my character background and personality serves the story.

I don't believe in a screenplay if I don't believe in a character.. Try to write a bio about your character first.. then make him enter in unfamiliar situation by writing an outline then take a look at the resolution if it serves the story and the character then develop the whole thing at once

I always write knowing who my characters are...but also, during writing, new characters are emerging, because I experience the stories day by day, and everything is renewed, even when I bathe, ideas, insights arise....

Hi Chelsea, I usually record a lot of my notes. I really don't know who the characters are until I've started writing. They'll change along the way, anyway. I find that when I write notes, I never refer to them so listening to a video is much easier for me. I think a lot about who they are as well, long before I've started writing so by the time I do start a script, I have a good, general knowledge of who they are, especially what they do for a living.

Chelsea Beckley I definitely understand getting lost in the muck of notes, but I put everything down on paper first, then transfer the important notes to Final Draft (text document), then weed out the truly important notes from there.

Maurice Vaughan That's what I was doing, but since I'm brand new to screenwriting I'm still trying to figure out a system that works. I just don't want to go so deep into a character that the plot I want gets lost in the muck of it all.

Has anyone found that the character you wrote out changes and you have to go back and rewrite the character?

Chelsea Beckley "I just don't want to go so deep into a character that the plot I want gets lost in the muck of it all." This is what I do to keep from getting lost in the muck: After I've developed the characters, I go through the outline and highlight the important things about the characters. That way I can find the important things easily and I also have the nonessential things to refer back to if I need to.

"Has anyone found that the character you wrote out changes and you have to go back and rewrite the character?" Yes. During outlining, writing the script, and rewriting the script. A lot of times rewriting the characters makes them and the story better.

both for novels and screenplays, I do sketch out bios for the main characters in Word. But while writing these can change or be adapted. It's good to have an overview before, especially for the murder mysteries I write.

Hi Chelsea, we are on the same boat. I am writing my very first screenplay. It is challenging and making one baby step at a time. I am reviewing it and send for feedback. We are fortunate to be here surrounded with artists who are willing to support. How Inspiring to be here for guidance and share the inspirations back to the Network. Good Luck! Wish you all the best.

Chelsea - often.

Maurice Vaughan Ok cool, I'm so glad I'm not alone here lol thank you!

Oh, I’m glad you have asked this question Chelsea due to also being in the position.

You're welcome, Chelsea Beckley.