How can we create fuller characters that occupy stories with thematic resonance?It's an easy question with no straightforward answer. There are dozens of ways to tackle character development, and we've covered a ton of them. But today we're going to look at how the unconscious can play into a character's journey, which affects everything from the action to their dialogue. The inspiration and guidance for this one is coming from a great Film Courage video with writer Adam Argot, who discusses his new book, The Story Ritual.Check out the video, then get into the lessons. - YouTube www.youtube.com Understanding the Unconscious in CharacterYour character's deepest motivations usually don't come across in their dialogue. They live in a belief system they probably aren't even aware of.A character might say, "Anyone who commits a crime should go to jail."But then, in a story, their loved one might murder or steal, and this character chooses to help them avoid prosecution. It's contradictory but revealing—what does that character really believe? Maybe it's that they'll do anything for love, or maybe it's that they're above the law. Argot visualizes the unconscious as a tree structure with different tiers of beliefs. At the core is the sacred—the fundamental beliefs that anchor a character's identity. Branching out from there are the practical beliefs characters use to navigate the world, and finally, the peripheral beliefs at the outer edges. Each branch represents a series of interconnected beliefs. But what does this mean for writers? A story, he says,...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday