How To Create A Great Character

What makes a great character? In this video essay I talk about a technique you can use to make interesting characters...

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[bijibadness]

i think your english teacher meant "likeable" in the sense that the characters need to be APPEALING. they need to _connect to the audience_ in order to form a long-lasting impression. you know what i mean? i don't think your teacher meant "likeable" in terms of SYMPATHETIC. that's what i think, anyway.

[stronggirlsyndrome]

"Watson...I fear I have something I must tell you."
"What, Sherlock?"
"I'M BATMAN!"

[lebron]

I think I've just realized how well Walter White's development was handled in Breaking Bad. At first he's a very likable, but at the same time passive character and his graph slightly resembles the one from Bilbo, but as the story progresses, he turns more and more evil and by the time he's at the very height of his power, his graph reminds me of Darth Vader's one. He's nothing like himself from the first episode. He broke bad.

Thank you very much for this video. It's hard to find something so informative and quick as this nowadays on YouTube. Keep up the great work. :)

[Maya]

I dunno if cartoons can be included, but hey, they're still characters.

what about Star Butterfly? Dipper Pines? I see them all have 3 fields that you mention. But they also have flaws.

[archiethomas]

i think a great character needs
1. personality - portrayed through dialogue and action we understand the way they talk, move, interact, their world views ect.
they are distinguishable to other characters in story, but still familiar so you can relate the character to someone you recognize
2. a goal/mission - they want something, whether more or less of something say money, respect, confidence, better at something
it's established to the audience through actions, images or dialogue that suggests the character wants something
3. motivation - the reason why they are the way they are and why they want something, they feel an emotion behind said goal
this motivation is portrayed through exposition which can be delivered visually, in action scene, as the goal of the scene
4. method - the how they will gain their goal, what are they going to use who do they want to help
this should all be simple and easy to grasp and is the main of the story with the character
5. development - the character then learns info that changes their or someone else's view, forces them to reevaluate themselves,
this is what changes them in the story whether for better or worse it is the catalyst that makes them or the environment different by the end

[georgesikorski]

"There is very little about Vader that is likeable"

Excuse me?

[belot]

A minor alteration I'd offer: Activity should count more on the graph if positive and less if negative. A likable, competent character who's actions have a strong impact but in a way that, from their perspective, is undesirable or unexpected can be quite interesting.

[Spartan]

Death Vader not likeable?

Tell that to the cinema audience who cheered during Rogue One.
(I jest, I jest)

[TheBerchie]

The Closer Look: "Now, if you were to pluck any character from fiction and analyze these three factors, you should find they line up somewhere on this graph."
Me: "Okay! Simple enough. So, which character should I analyze.... Oh! I know, Jar Jar Binks from the Phantom Menace!
1. Likability: Well, no one that I know of would have a pleasant conversation with Jar Jar. So, rating: Bad.
2. Competency: Jar Jar wasn't good at anything in the film, nor accomplishing anything on purpose. Rating: Bad.
3. Activity: Jar Jar only affected the plot once (maybe twice), and didn't anything else. The first time Jar Jar was in a leadership role, he was the first to give up, and just waited until the droids were deactivated by someone else. Rating: Bad.
4. Conclusion: *Scratches head* Uhh... George, according to the graph, Jar Jar Binks would be an unlikable, not great character that has very little to do with the film. Are you SURE, you want to keep him in the movie?"
George Lucas: "It's fine, do it."

[ioymovies]

Awesome content, it helps me a lot. Can you do "How to make a heist movie/scene" like Heat, that would be helpful

[GemR]

Ok I do agree with your points on this topic but I also have another viewpoint on it. The answer is right there in the question in the term "character" . An iconic character has a fleshed out personality, they have their likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses and their own logic/feelings. In order to have a great character you need to establish character traits to begin with (the best way to do this is gradually throughout the story). All the best heros/villains have identifiable personalities and the ones who don't are the most forgettable.

[Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

_I've been told I'm something of a great character myself..._

And may I just add that, I saw your three fields for character and I have to say, I think I fit all three. I believe I competent, active, and likable all at the same time. But I think many would still agree I am indeed a great character. You can fill up all the categories and be a beloved character, it's all about how you are utilized in the story.

[brucewane]

It's also important to make sure your character changes in an important and dramatic way throughout the course of their story. Any character that the audience spends a lot of time with, no matter how well established they are, must have an engaging arc to be interesting beyond just the first few minutes of their showing. It's important to make sure there's inner conflict as well as external conflict.

[anyo_mations]

I think there should be a fourth factor called multi-dimensional or something. That accounts for characters showcasing their doubts, fears and acting 'out of character' sometimes. It's kind of like likability but I think it's kind of its own category

[roseykat]

Thank you, I was having trouble making my characters interesting.

[stevenmordy]

I really like how these videos are applicable to not only movie making, but novel writing, and comics as well. I am definitely subscribing.

[NosTeraFuTV]

Isnt the joker from ledger up on all three categories?

[globalmovies]

Great character = character trait that defines them.
A character trait that they will not sacrifice no matter what the cost.
Ex.
Batman = fairness or sense of justice.
Harry potter = honesty.

[vtmar]

This was actually really helpful! I’m currently creating a video game but am struggling to make him both appealing in terms of looks but also have a likeable character. The 3 fields really helped narrow it down.

[ahmedthings]

I believe that the 'Likability' factor is relative to your (the audience's) opinion. Some might find a conversation with Batman or Vader extremely enjoyable. Great video though!