Screenwriting : Pitching a character driven screenplay by Leigh Stanton

Even in so-called "character driven" screenplays, there should be something dynamic happening. Does your character change? Overcome obstacles? Confront adversaries (externally or within herself)? And how is the above exciting or relatable or otherwise interesting?

All of the above happening. Thanks.

Introduce your character in a way that the listener will immediately be able to paint an empathetic picture -- then follow it with the journey they embark on and how it will change that soul you introduced them to in the beginning. Even the biggest set piece films have to be driven by character to make them engaging -- find the universal thread and why we as an audience should care. If you have a short (less than a page pitch) I'd be happy to look at if for you.

Thanks Laurie for the great advice. Now I just need to make the pitch funny. I will work on it some more but I appreciate your offer to look at it. I think it needs tweaking. :)

I agree with the idea that you have to be careful with the 'funny' -- first off, funny is very subjective. If you start the pitch with the genre, (presumably a comedy of some sort in your case) and then present the premise in a way that enables the listener to imagine the potential for humor in their own way, you should be good. As far as empathy goes, it's crucial and shouldn't be confused with sympathy. Even the best antagonist roles generate empathy, meaning the audience understands why they believe and act the way they do but don't necessarily agree with it. The best antagonists, in their own minds, believe they are acting righteously. If the audience doesn't feel empathy for the characters they have nothing invested to sit through their journey.

Thanks for the insight. I guess more than anything I wonder how to convey the richness of character during the pitch.

You mean by explaining the character's values, goal and motivation?

I would lead with a scene that reveals your protagonist the most. Imagine pitching "Bull Durham" - you situate Kevin Costner in his trailer and Renee Russo coming with all her golf paraphernalia. Immediate spark, then he find out she going out with his arch rival. Practice pitching movies you love than steal from yourself.

Then Costner's character brings his golf club to the baseball field, gets fired, ties Don Johnson to the bed and reads him Walt Whitman... That movie's kwazy.

Leigh you're probably saying, "I had to ask."

What is the big choice the character has to make? What is the physical conflict (it's a movie, it's about what we see)?

Alle- Thank you for the advice. The screenplay is currently optioned property and I'm not at liberty to send it out. But I do appreciate your kind offer to look at it.