The Empowering Character Arc

What is a character arc?

A Character Arc could also be described as the journey.  Remember, every protagonist must have a journey that they experience throughout the storyline.  Sometimes, it can be seen in the development of their character or personality they experience.  Some examples of this are frequently seen in the aspects of their persona—emotional, physical or psychological.

Why does a character need an arc?

A character arc helps to create believable characters that will always have universal appeal.  Without an arc, the character might not be convincing or interesting and could loose the audience.  The lead character must go on some kind of transformational journey.  If you want your audience to identify with your protagonist, create a complex journey for them to take.  Make him or her human.  Ask and answer questions like:  What is the their goal?  Define if it’s emotional or physical.  What do they want (want/desire births action) and how will they change (transform) throughout the story?  This kind of character is universally appealing.  Why?  Because we relate to them!

Examples:  Luke Skywalker in the First Star Wars film.  He begins his journey as a naïve farm boy with dreams of exploring the solar system. Luke struggles with authority, responsibility and “The Force,” but as the story progresses, obstacles are thrown his way that he has to overcome.   By the end of the film, Skywalker is living the dream; he’s fighting villains and saving a princess.

*Note:  Character arcs are for the main characters.  Very often the antagonist will have an arc too.  They need to have their own life journey—even if it’s evil, which makes them seem more real-to-life. 

Building Believable Characters

How do you build a believable character?

A character is no different that each of us, and we all have history.  The woman I am today is largely related to who I was yesterday, so our background is a part of our development.  In the same manner, the background of your character will determine how he or she responds to crisis while on their journey.  So, it's important to create some history, or background for your main characters, even if it is not shown in the screenplay itself.  Character worksheets are a great way to create detailed background for your characters.  This will give you (the writer) a much better grasp on understanding "why" this character will do what he or she does in every situation.

Remember the comedy What About Bob? The flawed hero, BOB WILEY has a whirlwind of issues that become DR. LEO MARVIN'S nightmare.  The audience never finds out what has made Bob all "tide-up" in "emotional knots," but we do see the result of his anxieties, phobias and social disorders from the get go.  In addition, his emotional needs push him to action--he seeks the professional help of Dr. Leo Marvin.

To create a character like Bob Wiley, it is imperative that the writer understand his background.  Why?  Because characters with psychological problems and quirks are going to respond a little differently than the "average" Joe.  So, how do you write these quirks and personality traits/disorders into your tale believably?

Journalists are taught that a story should always contain answers to six pertinent questions:  What" Who? Where? When? How? and Why?  A journalist could actually accomplish this in one sentence:   "Bart was murdered in his own home last evening by a neighbor using a shotgun in revenge for Bart's insults to the neighbor's wife." 

In a screenplay, this has to be accomplished differently.  Remember, a screenplay is written for a visual medium, so these questions need to be answered within the development of the storyline, and seen in the dialogue and actions of the characters.

We never know "why" Bob Wiley is such a mess, but we see his responses to life in the development of the storyline through his actions and his dialogue.  We see his craziness in the development of his relationship with Dr. Leo Marvin and his family, and again when "suddenly" Dr. Leo Marvin's "death therapy" cures him.

Making your character have history will help you answer those five questions, and when your character is confronted with conflict, you (the writer) will know exactly how he or she is going to respond.  Why?  Because you've spent time with this character and you know him or her so well. 

Hint:  It's all about understanding the human condition, and having a grasp on basic psychology.