Internal Clarity and Intentional Choices Get clear on your characters’ purpose and what they have to learn and how it (at first) opposes your theme. Then infuse it in every instance they appear and action they take. When there is no clarity the results are random (and boring). For instance: Random results in introduction: Cute, 120 lbs., favorite color blue, born in Idaho, middle sibling. Intentional results in introduction: She hides from intimacy Those 4 words give us way more engagement (of course you need to show this 'hiding' in her actions). Your character introduction is not a detail for the casting agent of a fashion show OR a laundry list that some put in a personal year in review. It’s in the moment, and it is in conflict with who they need to be by the end of the film, shown in intentional choices and actions. I hope we all have a day of clarity and achieve our intentions.
Screenwriting : Today's Wish and Creative Tip by Laurie Ashbourne
WRITER-PRODUCER at https://www.lastorystudio.com ♦ Screenwriter, Producer, Author
10 years ago
Today's Wish and Creative Tip
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Excellent post! Thank you. Question: If my main character is allergic to smoke and this will be part of a stressful situation for her, can I use this on her introduction?
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You're welcome, absolutely use a physicality if it is an integral story thread -- but think how could you show this rather than detail it as a laundry list.
I will. Thanks again.