I don't know about you, but when I'm brainstorming a new character for TV or a movie script, I have a lot of trouble fully building them out.That's why I wanted to create a glossary of all the terms related to characters and what we should know about them.This should aid with all character arcs and character development, too.Hopefully, this is a tool that all writers can use as they build the next waves of their stories.Let's dive in.The Character GlossaryCore Identity TermsProtagonist: The central character or "hero" of the story. They are the primary driver of the plot and usually undergo the most significant internal change.Antagonist: The character (or force) that stands in direct opposition to the protagonist’s goals. They create the primary conflict.Antagonist vs. Villain: While often the same, an antagonist is simply an obstacle, whereas a villain is defined by malicious intent.Antihero: A protagonist who lacks traditional heroic qualities (like idealism or morality) but still commands the audience's interest (e.g., Tony Soprano or Fleabag).Foil: A character whose traits contrast sharply with another character (usually the protagonist) to highlight specific qualities of that person.Psychological ArchitectureThe Want (External Goal): What the character thinks they need. It is tangible and drives the physical plot (e.g., winning a race, finding a lost treasure).The Need (Internal Goal): The emotional or spiritual deficiency the character must fix to find fulfillment. Often, the character is unaware of this at the start.The Ghost (The Wound): A past trauma or significant event that haunts the character...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday