Creating Compelling Characters: A Guide for Screenwriters

Creating exciting characters for a screenplay can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a bit daunting if you’re not sure where to start.

One great example of good character development and deployment in a movie is “The Shawshank Redemption”. The film follows the story of Andy Dufresne, a man who is falsely convicted of murder and sent to the Shawshank prison.

Throughout the film, we see Andy’s character develop and change in a number of ways. He starts off as a timid and reserved man, but as he becomes friends with his fellow inmates, particularly Red, he begins to open up and become more assertive. He also shows a strong sense of hope and determination, as he continues to work towards his goal of gaining his freedom.

One of the key strengths of the character development in “The Shawshank Redemption” is the way it is interwoven with the themes of the film. The story is not just about Andy’s journey, but also about the power of friendship, hope and redemption. The film effectively uses Andy’s character to explore these themes in a deeply moving and meaningful way.

Additionally, the deployment of the characters is also well done, by showing how different characters are affected by Andy’s presence in the prison and how Andy’s actions and changes affected the other inmates. The characters in the story are not just there as props but real people with their own story and emotions that reflect the main theme of the movie.

Overall, “The Shawshank Redemption” is a great example of how a well-written and well-acted character can bring depth, complexity, and emotional resonance to a story.

Ten Points to Consider
Here are ten essential points to consider when creating characters for your screenplay:

1. Start with the basics: Who is your character? What do they do for a living? What are their goals and desires?
2. Give your characters depth and complexity. No one is just one thing, and your characters shouldn’t be either.
3. Make sure your characters have a clear arc. They should change and grow over the course of the story.
4. Give your characters a unique voice. Make sure their dialogue sounds like something they would say, and not something you would say.
5. Make sure your characters are relatable. Even if your characters are aliens or robots, make sure they have a human element that the audience can connect with.
6. Be consistent with your characters. Once you’ve established who they are and what they want, stick to it.
7. Create a strong visual representation of your characters. The audience should be able to picture them in their mind’s eye.
8. Give your characters conflict. They should have something or someone standing in the way of their goals.
9. Make sure your characters have a sense of humor. Even in the darkest of stories, a little bit of humor can go a long way.
10. Lastly, have fun! Creating characters can be a lot of work, but it should also be enjoyable. Let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you.

In conclusion, creating exciting characters for a screenplay takes time, effort and creativity. It is important to remember that characters are not just props, they are the heart and soul of the story. With the right balance of depth, complexity, conflict and a sense of humor, your characters will come to life on the page, and the audience will be excited to follow them on their journey.