Channing Hillway: Screenwriter in Menifee, California.

Hey again, As my title suggests I want to talk about character development. I feel that it is my weakest point at the moment, even though strong characters are what I value the most in stories. Therefore it would be greatly educative to read how you fine people approach the matter. I feel that I got two main issues, which I guess are the two most necessary things in a character: 1 - I'm having troubles coming up with a background story that's tragic, yet not crippling if that makes any sense. I want my character to be affected by it, but not changed completely. As I don't have any personal experiences to draw from, I feel this is the main issue I got. Basically create a compelling and layered character that the audience really feel like rooting for, crying alongside and laughing with. 2 - My second issue is having the character stay true to who he is when it comes to dialogue. What the character would and wouldn't say, how he would act and so forth. I feel like it's too easy to just change the character to suit my needs, which I guess comes from not fully developing him/her. I think that this might solve itself once I fully understand the character after fixing issue #1 though. I've Google'd a lot, but most pages only links a series of questions I should ask the character, which is of very limited help as I don't know how the character would answer. I'm not asking for a step-by-step guide here. I'm just interested in hearing what more experienced writers did to overcome those issues, as I guess I'm not the first one struggling with it. Do any of you have any routines you go through before creating your characters, or anything down that street? Any inputs will be greatly appreciated! Joshua Adams

Jon, Welcome. I just viewed "Impact" and found it compelling. In space special effects are stunning. Actors were mainly believable, but did not convey the sense of urgency needed to emote the situation, possibly a bit rushed. I went to headphones to improve dialogue sound and discovered the mics are the problem. One clip so there is no way to comment on continuity. Overall the clip made a very positive impression. Thanks for sharing.

Welcome. I am working with my critique group to finish the revision of my adult thriller. I have aspirations for it in print and in a streaming series. Several chapters take place in Sweden.

I t's just one step at a time around here, revising my novel, hoping for a movie adaptation.

Daniel, I have been preoccupied with the major revision of my thriller, VLAD: Revenge of the Red Dragon, completing two successful surgeries and one more planned, and working with my excellent critique group. It's just one step at a time in my world. Welcome to it.

Ronald: Welcome. I am presently on the final edit of my novel, VLAD: Revenge of the Red Dragon, with an aim, down the road, to seeking the interest of HBO for its adoption as a mini-series. You have an interesting background. Welcome to the network.

Hey, Jesse. You seem to be another introverted creative, like so many of us. You haven't shared yet. That often suggests a person feeling unworthy. Let me assure you we have all been there. I am more interested in your aspirations than you accomplishments. What do you deeply care about? What are you going, writing, acting, seeking to make an indi with insufficient funds? You're not alone. Please take some time to share with us so we can get to know you?

Welcome Simon. I am an author who has written screenplays, presently working to wrap my novel. Enjoyed a workshop, on Sunday, with Christopher Vogker, renowned story consultant. It was great.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." - Steve Jobs. Lesson: Start with the end.

Welcome. I'm relatively new on Stage 32, learning, writing, planning.

Welcome. I'm new here, learning what I can, in the final edit and revision of a series that I plan to offer as screenplays.

I wish you great success Channing! Happy Holidays!

Hi Channing. I'm RB, Founder and CEO of Stage 32. As a screenwriter, producer, actor and filmmaker, I know first-hand the challenges all creatives face finding work, landing representation, launching projects, securing funding and simply making the connections that will make a difference in their careers. That's why I created Stage 32. Since our launch in September of 2011, the community has grown to 1,000,000+ members representing every country on the planet making Stage 32 the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth.

This is a network for you, built by you. Like most things in life, the more you participate, the greater the rewards. We ask all new members to pay it forward by inviting 5 fellow creatives to the network and by spreading the word of Stage 32 through other social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The more creatives, the stronger the network. The stronger the network, the more opportunities.

Thanks for joining the movement and for being a part of this most talented and inspiring community. I very much look forward to your contributions.

Thanks, and have a creative day!

RB

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Hello Channing -

Welcome to the community! I'm Amanda Toney, the Managing Director at Stage 32. Since 2013 I've been proud to oversee Stage 32's Next Level Education, which provides you the most up-to-date tools necessary to become a better creative.

Over the years Stage 32 has worked with over 500 industry executives and professionals to teach online webinars, classes and intensive labs exclusively for you - our Stage 32 community. We bring you instructors who have worked directly on some of your favorite films, TV shows or theater productions to teach you in-the-trenches information that you won't find anywhere else on producing, directing, financing, writing, packaging, acting and more.

Our Next Level Education has a 97% satisfaction rate and averages 4.5 out of 5 stars. Plus, we've had the honor to be called "LinkedIn meets Lynda.com for film, television and theater creatives" by Forbes Magazine.

I encourage you to take the next step to continue learning and expanding your career by clicking here, or clicking "education" on your top menu bar.

I'm grateful you've joined the Stage 32 community. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Amanda