StoryNotesNewsletter

ISSUE #7:


(This is a continuation of the
article which began in Issue #5; see
the online archive at e-groups if you
did not receive or save Issues 5 or 6:
www.egroups.com/group/StoryNotesNewsletter)


PART 3 (OF 3):


TIPS FOR DESIGNING


* * * S T R O N G E R M A I N C H A R A C T E R S * * *


KEY TRAITS SHARED BY MOST PROTAGONISTS



OTHER HIDDEN TRAITS (AND ACTIONS)

There is another way in which vastly diverse protagonists are
alike. Several ways, in fact.

In a prior article (Issues 1-4) I described a "Success
Paradigm." This refers to character traits and action steps needed
for someone to achieve an extremely difficult goal.

Do the four protagonists considered earlier – Dorothy Gale,
Oskar Schindler, Forrest Gump, and Luke Skywalker – employ this
success formula? They do. Often unwittingly, but such is often
the case.

To review, I'll list the formula. Think of how each of our
four dissimilar protagonists do indeed share these traits and take
these steps.

WHAT LEADS TO SUCCESS

1. They have *clear-cut goal*.

2. They are *strongly motivated* – they have an intense desire
plus clear and compelling reasons for setting and pursuing the
difficult goal.

3. They become *totally committed* to achieving the goal – no
"sort of's, kind of's, guess so's," or "I'll try" commitments.
After a certain point, they are fully resolved and determined.

4. They come up with a *plan* to achieve the goal – perhaps more
than one. And when a plan is not working, they revise it or come
up with a new one.

5. They are stubbornly *persistent*.

6. They use their *wits* – when needed, they strain their brain
in order to be crafty, clever, and resourceful. They learn to use
their heads to survive and solve problems ... often to out-think
the opponent.

7. They are willing and able to *endure physical and/or emotional
suffering*.

8. Whatever *physical strength* they have, they use when needed.
Whatever *special knowledge or skills* they have that can be of
help, they employ.

9. To compensate for their own limitations and underdog status,
they are not too proud to *seek assistance* when necessary.

10. They make a *maximum effort* ... they give it all they've got
– no half-hearted measures.

11. While sometimes temporarily giving in to obsession and
consequently violating their conscience, they return to what they
believe is right; there is a *moral superiority* over their
opponents.

12. Whether they knew it was there or not, they summon up
*courage* – physical and/or emotional – in order to stay the
course.

Now go down the list again with each of the example
protagonists in mind. First Dorothy. Schindler. Luke. And
finally Forrest, who may not hit all of the 12 steps.

Go ahead – do that now, before going on.

All finished?

The protagonists in THE WIZARD OF OZ, SCHINDLER'S LIST, and
STAR WARS clearly possess all of these traits and take all of these
steps.

It is only in FORREST GUMP in which the title character perhaps
misses a few. But he *does* have a goal. He has several, in fact.
A major sub-goal is to keep his promise to Bubba and to fulfill
Bubba's dream. His main goal is to marry Jenny.

In regards to carrying out his promise to Bubba, Forrest has a
clear goal, and is strongly motivated and totally committed.

His plan is rather sketchy, but while thin, he does have one:
use the money from the Ping Pong endorsements to buy a shrimp boat,
and then go to work.

He certainly is persistent. I don't think he uses his wits in
attaining this goal – although, despite his limited mental
capacity, he does think things through several times elsewhere in
the story, such as when he puzzles out the incongruities between
the different life philosophies he has learned, and realizes they
are not mutually exclusive.

In addition, he endures suffering, uses his strength and learns
new skills, accepts assistance, makes a maximum effort, and in the
storm he shows courage. Other times, as well.

In his pursuit and courting of Jenny, he also goes through most
of these steps, with the exception of not having much of a plan.

WHY WE SHOULD KNOW THIS

Why is it helpful to know all this – to recognize underlying,
less-obvious traits which these and other diverse protagonists have
in common?

Several reasons come to mind.

We as writers in effect "design" the protagonist. When
considering these underlying commonalities, we might decide that a
potentially fascinating character we were tempted to use as a
protagonist might not really fit the bill: he or she may not have
the will to compete, or might be too obvious or insufficiently
challenged.

Perhaps with a slight adjustment, the character *could* be
used. And to much greater advantage and effect. If so, then
knowledge of these hidden commonalities will have been helpful.

If adjusting the character wouldn't make sense, or would
destroy the element that makes him or her fascinating, then perhaps
we should consider using the character in the role of ally,
romance, mentor, or opponent. Or an even more secondary role.

You may choose to go ahead and use this potentially problematic
protagonist anyway. But at least it will be an informed choice,
and you'll be aware of the potential pitfalls. And with that
knowledge, perhaps you can compensate.

COMMONALITY AWARENESS: A RATIONALE

Keeping these shared traits in mind – using as many or as few
of them as we deem fit – may help us in a number ways.

1. Knowing these "hidden" traits helps us to judge whether our
character will be viable as a protagonist.

2. This knowledge can help us to better design our
protagonist, to at least consider adjusting certain aspects of
characterization.

3. Using these secondary traits can further dimensionalize our
character.

4. They can add greater variety to the story line.

5. Some of these qualities – unlikely, reluctant,
strong-willed, outmatched, flawed – will help strengthen
the potential for conflict in the story. They can enhance
suspense, too.

6. These same traits help make possible a significant change
in your character. Your character will have plenty of room to
change and grow.

SUMMARY

We've seen that many highly dissimilar main characters share
some often unnoticed secondary characteristics. And we've seen how
helpful a knowledge of these hidden commonalities can be.

All of which should motivate you to really study these
commonalities, to see if you can profitably apply them to your
screenplays, present and future.

So, before we move on, let's briefly review these little-known
commonalities one more time.

DESIGNING YOUR PROTAGONIST

Most protagonists have a strong desire to prevail. And they
possess the *will* to really try. And to persevere. They are
willing and able to struggle, suffer, and engage in conflict if
that's what it takes. Strength of will, however subtle or
surprising, is probably the key commonality in otherwise diverse
main characters.

But there are others, also important.

To enhance suspense, to increase empathy, and to give the
character room to grow, consider making your protagonist *an
unlikely and initially reluctant hero*, and one who is an
underdog – one who has great *will*, but who is *outmatched* by
the problem, the odds, the opposition, and/or the difficulty of
the goal.

To make your character believable and sympathetic – and again,
to allow room to grow – let your character be *incomplete* or in
some way needy emotionally, and also *imperfect*, with several
weaknesses and flaws.

Finally, keep in mind the traits and steps described in the
*Success Paradigm*: even the most diverse protagonists wind up
employing most of those. Often all of them.

But wait a minute.

You say you're worried that if most protagonists are given most
of these traits that they'd wind up too much alike?

At first or even second glance, did Dorothy Gale, Oskar
Schindler, Forrest Gump, and Luke Skywalker seem to have much in
common?

But deep down, they did.


# # #


Copyright Jeff Newman, 2000


QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Suggestions? Criticisms? Compliments? Caveats?

I'd like to hear them. If I think they would be of interest
to others, I'll post a special issue along with my replies. Send
them to: storynotes@...

I hope you've found this article of interest, and that it
proves helpful in your present and future scripts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To read my bio, go to my web page: www.storynotes.net

Once there, scroll down to the very bottom of the home page
and click on "Credentials."

If you'd like to investigate my screenplay evaluation services --
including the new, $300 Evaluation -- see the main page at the
above site, and the "Testimonials" link. If you'd like, you may
call me in Los Angeles at (310) 715-6455.


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