Pre-Production - Screenplay Character Tips

http://www.indiewire.com/article/screenwriting-101-5-tips-for-writing-better-characters-into-your-screenplay

Now we're thinking about characters in my screenplay, ensureing I get the best out of them.


#1 – Make your character likeable early on

Achievable. I want to establish who is who early on, and quick. You'll have an understanding of their friendship by the second minute of the film. This will allow the audience to sink their teeth into the film and enjoy it.

#2 – Build realistic & detailed characterization

Realism Realism Realism.  That's all I can say. I have to make them believable and realistic. So they don't do anything out of character that they wouldn't do otherwise. 

#3 – Let your character make the decisions for you

I used a methodolody that what would the character do in a different situation. For example, if Jimmy got mugged, he'd fight them off rather than billy getting mugged who would take the beating. It would help establish who is who and who can deal with different situations and problems.

#4 – Give your character compelling dialogue

Interesting dialogue, little to no exposition. I will work to achieve this, I'm terrible at it. I'll try my best to give compelling dialogue to the actors, but I know i'll need a rewrite. 


#5 – Think like an actor and give your character a point of view

Now I'm a terrible actor, don't get me wrong. But it's good to think about what they would do from their point of view. It helps establish who they are as a person and how they'll progress the story.

This site definitely helped me think about character profiling and i'll get right to it to build my characters .