I'm writing a film script for my first attempt on a professional template and I'm attempting to write an irredeemable protagonist character that is entirely dislikeable and lives the life of a mugger----he steals, he targets the poor, the weak and the homeless, and doesn't hesitate to clobber them if they refuse to give up their wallets or whatever pocket change they have. His motives are selfish, and he's basically something of a thug minus the sadism. He's certainly not a hero, and is something of a farcry of an antihero. Kinda somewhat of a villain.
Also worth nothing that the genre of this script covers drama, black comedy and action.
From some initial reception that I had received from a producer when I had shown him my pitch deck, it was that the character needs to at least be relatable to the audience if they want to stomach through watching it if it is ever made into a film.
(This character is also irredeemable as in he's not necessarily a flat character, but his arc change isn't enough to deliver him to salvation).
Does anyone have any advice or solutions to make this bastard character a bit more connected to the audience?
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Yes, I once wrote a sci fi story which was published. It's called the Loaners. The lead character is an a-hole but I put him on a redemption arc. If you want to read it, let me know. Oh and good luck! By the way consider watching UNTAMED with Eric Bana. His character Kyle Turner is thoroughly unlikeable but for good reasons.
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You could give him a reason(s) for being the way he is, James Vasquez. And/or you could have him feel bad after he does the things he does. Those are ways to make him relatable to the audience.
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I have done a lot of no-budget filming about such a character. Our nasty Adolf is a psychiatrics doctor. He likes bribes, alcohol and prostitutes. Sometimes he is beaten up by his wife. The local newspaper may publish his latest stupidities. My first film with him was only one minute long (6 short jokes). People liked it so much that I created more. So i suggest that you write something short which you can film with your local group of no-budget filmmakers. When you have learned how to create something short, write something longer.