How To Assert Complete Control Over Your Character’s Perspective In Screenwriting

Fight Club (1999)

Creating a compelling screenplay demands mastery over your character’s perspective. Controlling this viewpoint is essential for the writer for deep storytelling. Character perspective refers to the unique viewpoint or lens …

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How To Write A Masterful Femme Fatale Character

Femme Fatale: Ava Lord

The femme fatale, a seductive, dangerous and ‘fatal’ woman, has captivated audiences for centuries. From literary classics to silver screen icons, this archetype continues to intrigue. Beyond her alluring exterior …

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What are Character Foils in Screenwriting?

Character Foils: Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson from Sherlock

Character foils are the secret ingredients that add flavour and depth to a story. These contrasting characters, often paired with the protagonist, highlight key traits and qualities, enriching our understanding …

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Eleanor Young – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 25

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Eleanor Young from Crazy Rich Asians (2018). …

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How to Avoid Writing One Dimensional Characters

one dimensional character

In the realm of storytelling, characters are the heartbeat of any narrative. They drive the plot forward, elicit emotional responses, and ultimately connect the audience to the story. However, one …

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The Vital Secondary Character and Its Importance in Screenwriting

Secondary character

In the intricate tapestry of storytelling, screenwriters often find themselves navigating the delicate balance between character development and plot progression. The secondary character, often overlooked, crucially shapes the narrative and …

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Katniss Everdeen – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 24

katniss everdeen

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Katnis Everdeen from The Hunger Games (2012). What …

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Awesome Tips for Writing Family-Friendly Screenplays

family

In the ever-evolving entertainment landscape, family-friendly screenplays stand as beacons of shared joy and valuable life lessons. Crafting a narrative that appeals to audiences of all ages requires a thoughtful …

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Roman Roy – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 22

Roman Roy Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Roman Roy from Succession. What …

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How Do You CREATE and MAINTAIN Empathetic Characters?

There are many important aspects to writing a great screenplay; good dialogue, interesting settings, unique stories, and good characterisation. However, little is arguably more important than creating and maintaining empathetic …

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What is Indirect Characterization in Screenwriting? 12 KEY Steps

The Social Network Indirect Characterization

Indirect characterization is an essential part of constructing a convincing and compelling fictional character. Whether your character is a hero, a villain or a sidekick, they are always more interesting and …

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How Do You Write a GREAT Sidekick Character?

Samwise Sidekick Character

Writing a sidekick character can come with a lot of creative freedom. Where your protagonist or hero may have a rigid characterisation, a sidekick can complement them in many different …

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Patrick Bateman – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 21

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. What …

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Ruth Langmore – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 20

Ruth Langmore Ozark Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Ruth Langmore from Ozark. What is …

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What is a Mary Sue Character And How Do You Avoid Writing One?

Rey Mary Sue Character

In recent years, there has been a lot of dialogue around who the term Mary Sue can be ascribed to and what constitutes it. But what, fundamentally, is a Mary …

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What is the Special Girl Trope and How Do You Avoid It?

Twilight Special Girl

As a screenwriter, a trope can be both your best friend and your enemy. How is a writer meant to stand out when the same plot line has been repeated …

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Kim Wexler – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 19

Kim Wexler Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul.  …

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Forensic Scene Analysis: “I Drink Your Milkshake!”

Daniel and Eli - There Will Be Blood

“I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!” – Some scenes in film and TV are so memorable they transcend their origin and become part of film culture. In this …

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Ferris Bueller- Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 18

Ferris Beuller Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on a classic …

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Rue From Euphoria – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 17

Rue From Euphoria

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Rue from Euphoria. What is an Original Character? …

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Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 16

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Tina Belcher …

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How to Effectively Weave Character Backstory into Your Screenplay

The Godfather Character Backstory

So, you made it through one of the hardest parts of writing a screenplay; you created your characters. From childhood trauma to adulthood adventures, you’ve fleshed out your entire character …

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Shiv Roy – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 15

Shiv Roy Succession Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Shiv Roy …

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Michael Scott – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 14

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Michael Scott …

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How To Write an Active Protagonist (and Avoid a Passive Protagonist)

Licorice Pizza Active Protagonists

What is an Active Protagonist? An active protagonist is a main character who is not merely affected by the world around them, but affects that world too. Their actions, both …

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Saul Goodman – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 13

Saul Goodman Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Saul Goodman …

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The Essential Elements of Writing a Fish Out of Water Story

Ted Lasso Fish Out of Water Story

What is a Fish Out of Water Story? A ‘fish out of water’ story is the idiom referring to a character who is removed from their daily lives and forced …

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How Do You Write Likeable Characters? ESSENTIAL Steps and Examples

Likeable characters are often at the heart of great TV and film. But what makes a likeable character? In this article, we’ll look at the keys to writing a likeable …

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Kendall Roy – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 12

Kendall Roy Original Character

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Kendall Roy from Succession. What is an Original Character? …

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What Makes A Great Action And Adventure Movie Script?

Temple of Doom Action

The action and adventure movie genre is one that often sits at the top of the box office. It’s a genre that can have a wide reach across many different …

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Daryl Dixon – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 11

Crossbow

Welcome to Industrial Scripts’ Truly Original Characters series, an ongoing sequence of articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article focusses on Daryl …

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How Do You Write A Character Bio? The Road to GREAT Characterisation

Tony Soprano Character Bio

Character bios can be an essential part of writing your character. There is no story without a character, just as there is no character without a character bio. Every writer …

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Beth Harmon – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 10

Beth Harmon Original Character

Welcome to Industrial Scripts’ Truly Original Characters series, an ongoing sequence of articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article focusses on Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit. …

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Eleven from STRANGER THINGS – Original Characters Series: Part 8

Eleven-fron-Stranger-Things-S1

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Eleven from Stranger Things. What is an Original Character? …

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Travis Bickle – ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series: Part 7

Travis Bickle Taxi Driver Cinema

Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. What …

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Writing The Unlikeable Protagonist: How to Craft a Great Antihero

Walter White Creating Characters

The Role of the Unlikeable Protagonist ‘Unlikeable protagonist’ sounds like an oxymoron. However, they’re a common occurrence in all forms of storytelling. The antihero protagonist is an increasingly prominent presence …

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Dual Protagonists: How to Handle TWO Lead Characters in Your Screenplay

The Prestige - Dual Protagonists

Dual Protagonists: Breaking the Mould There is no law in screenwriting that dictates you must only have one protagonist, or main character, in your screenplay. Granted, most writers choose to …

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Creating Characters That Leap Off The Page: What Are The 15 VITAL Steps?

Walter White Creating Characters

Creating Characters: A Daunting Process When writing a screenplay, the process of creating characters can be so arduous yet so enlightening, so varied yet at the same time so individually …

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