In screenwriting, there are a ton of character archetypes you can use to build out the people you want in your story. If you're trying to develop a character, they're a good place to start. When I'm trying to put the foundation together for my story, that's where I usually start. Recently, I was working on a new idea and wanted to incorporate a tragic hero. But when I would talk to people about the idea, they had no idea what I meant. So today, I wanted to go through the concept of a tragic hero. We'll define them, add some examples, and look at how you can find your own transformative arc for your screenplay. Let's dive in. What is a Tragic Hero?This foundational element of ancient Greek drama centers around the protagonist, who typically begins in a position of esteem or endeavors to attain greater social status. Throughout the narrative, we observe their character development as they eventually experience a decline, often resulting in their tragic downfall.Why Use a Tragic Hero?When I started my screenplay, my goal was to write a 'guy cry' movie that challenged me to write the reverse narrative I was used to. I spent so long working on movies and TV shows about people ascending, and us feeling good about it. I wanted to see if I could use the same skills to show someone falling. So, why else would you want to write one of these movies? Relatability: Despite their high status, tragic...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Wednesday, 26 February