What does 'setting as a character' mean?

'Setting as a character' is a way of articulating how your screenplay's setting can do a great deal of legwork in conveying and representing your story's themes, purpose and character arcs. A setting can be more than just a geographical location, it can be a representation of your protagonist's state of mind, a summary of a key theme and a feature of your screenplay that it could not exist without.

How do you realize 'setting as a character' within a screenplay?

There are three primary ways to realize 'setting as a character' within your screenplay. Firstly, make sure your characters interact and have a discernible relationship with the setting. Secondly, always be clear about the story's setting and the specific locations within that setting throughout the script. Thirdly, use stage directions within the screenplay to illustrate the setting, creating strong imagery in the reader's mind.

Setting as a Character: Get the MOST Out of Your Screenplay's Setting

Using ‘setting as a character’ is a phrase you’ll often hear in screenwriting circles. But what does it mean? An easy way into this concept is to think of how our favorite movies wouldn’t be the same without their iconic settings. Think of Harry Potter without Hogwarts or The Shining without the Overlook Hotel. Here, settings function as characters in their own way, supporting the narrative and impacting the course of the storyline. The notion of ‘character’ can be stretched

Members only

This article continues in our Members Area

Join SCREENWRITING: EVOLVED for full access to 700+ guides, whitepapers, the script library, industry interviews and much more.

Join SCREENWRITING: EVOLVED — just $9.99/month

Cancel any time · No commitment