Screenwriting : How to write arrogant and cocky characters without them being unbearable to watch ? by Zorrawa Jefferson

Give him a clear moral code, a redeeming factor, a clear/relatable motivation, and/or a piece of backstory that might explain why he is that way. Also, if a character is great at their job or is very charismatic when theyre not being horrible, an audience will usually forgive and connect with them.

If I write arrogant and cocky characters I want them to be unbearable to watch...this way I don't skim audience off as people are always hooked on the "unbearable"... you write your characters by moral codes and politically correct, they'll end up cardboard cuts as bad as it can get...

You don’t. Makes the realisation even more profound.

I agree with Craig, go for the payoff. The director will get pick-up shots of him where we see a little guilt in him after he says these things. Like watching someone walk away then looking down slightly, corny but it works.

A character's true nature should be revealed by their actions. For example, I've been watching Ally McBeal on Amazon Prime. The hard-edged character, Ling (played by actress, Lucy Liu) appears at least 10 times before her softer side is revealed when she helps a kid with cancer with a lawsuit. When the child dies at the end of the episode, she pretends not to care while with other people. However, when leaving the hospital, she begins to sob until she breaks down outside.

Another good example is Jack Nicholson portraying the curmudgingly, obsessive compulsive writer, Melvin Udall in As Good As it Gets. Though Melvin begins as a complete narcissist and says many cringe-worthy, unkind sentiments to others, he does several wonderful things when he allows himself to become involved in the lives of others and caring about someone other than himself.

Softer sides can go too far. I went off the series Justified because his badass persona slipped away, leaving a regular kinda guy for our viewing pleasure. You see this in other series. I know character development is important, but what makes them stand out should always walk in the room first.

Look at Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streeps character is a monster in the eyes of the audience up until we hear her arguing with her husband. Then suddenly she is vulnerable.

Depends on the type of movie you want to see. If it's a comedy... he can say whatever...and will be delicious to watch, because of the contradiction! If it's drama, or romance...you got the answer above from Uncle Phil, and if it's a horror story...I think the same...his madness should increase gradually like in the short movie that just was nominated for Stage32 Short Award, "Jane". The old man is nasty arrogant, but we don't even think that he could turn into a murderer in the end, right? I liked your question, Ms. Dolton! ;) Good luck! x

anghelroxana.com

"Jane" was fun to watch, Roxana Anghel! Noel makes pretty unique films.

Nothing wrong with unlikeable characters. It is how you use them in the story that counts.

Indiana Jones in real life would be an unbearable selfish prick. I fucking love him for it.

As long as the way they act and what they say are in line with who they are as a character, it's ok to make them hard to watch. Though, as a few others mentioned, if it's a comedy or lighthearted story, casting will have to work hard to find an actor who can be charming and hated. What you don't want is a story full of unbearable characters with no way to connect to them, that's truly unwatchable.

Depends on what you're looking to accomplish. Is he a main character and does this wound feed into his story arc? Nothing wrong with him starting that way and ending as something else. If he's the ANTAGONIST, he can stay this way as a counterpoint to your protagonist. If he's cocky and arrogant and is able to make fun of himself for it, it works very well. What's the type - feature or serial?