Building a Strong Antagonist

[@TylerMowery]

Get Practical Tools to Write Your Great Screenplay: www.practicalscreenwriting.com

[@silverback7348]

Dang it, TM…now I need to see Paddingtom Bear vs Thanos.

[@marcusyee2211]

Don't underestimate Paddington Bear, his kindness and wholesomeness is what makes him powerful... TOO powerful 👀

[@teamtaiwan-hope]

Thanos would intentionally keep him alive, for a better world

[@samuelbrock]

I would LOVE to see a movie of Paddington vs Thanos! The philosophical conflict between determined idealism and warped pragmatism would be so interesting

[@connorodum6710]

He’s literally voiced by the president of Ukraine

[@OutstandingScreenplays]

The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture. - Alfred Hitchcock

[@bibhuranjandutta470]

Yes sir

[@mjolninja9358]

America

[@donkey8600]

True 👍

[@OutstandingScreenplays]

@@donkey8600 👌

[@plisskenetic]

Usually without the 'villain' there's no story lol

[@lawren100]

"Without real philosophical beliefs" When I was about 4 or 5, a woman pulled me from a hallway in my school and started dragging me toward the door. Somehow, I managed to scream, and she dropped me. I ran into the library and waited by my teacher, too scared to say anything. The woman came back, stuck her face in the slim door widow, and smiled and waved. THAT is a person who is just evil. A person who delights in causing pain, probably just because. I think desires are more important than philosophical beliefs. Philosophical beliefs are often just retroacted desires.

[@starchaser777]

that must have been terrifying. i hope this woman suffers worse than that.

[@jonahnolastnameneeded3130]

Yes. Often times people use philosophy, politics, etc. to justify their own dark desires.

[@lynnhollie]

That’s horrifying

[@raymoshav-bloodbought]

There truly is evil in this world.

[@syedarizvi7290]

Hey, so sorry you had to go through that.

[@ThatCircusShow]

“Beliefs do not matter unless they are tested”

[@User-dyn]

صدق

[@Leto85]

0:58 'A mistake I see many writers make is that they totally agreed with what their protagonist believes.' Exactly that. The moment you as the writer place yourself in the shoes of any character (protagonist, antagonist, or whoever else) that character's truth becomes the writer's truth for as long as he stays in that character's head. Why else would the character act as they do if they don't believe in their own truth?

[@syedarizvi7290]

I respectfully disagree. Most authors want to show good to triumph over evil and that is a good message to give. Of course they would subscribe to that. I know that evil can definitely win in the real world but fiction is supposed to be an escape, right? I also respect your opinion though, so I hope you don't mind

[@Leto85]

@@syedarizvi7290 I don't mind at all. How do you disagreed? I see nothing in your text that differ from my opinion.

[@syedarizvi7290]

@@Leto85 Oh I'm sorry, it seems I misunderstood you. So I thought that when you were talking about basically getting into a character's headspace, the way they think, you start to agree with them and the person in the video seems to say that the villain should have his own version of truth and he should be right in some capacity. I thought you said the same thing, sorry. So I was trying to say that, even though this concept can make an amazing villain, I just think that a lot of people in the audience and I'm sure you've seen in as well, start to love the villain and admire him. Even though I know of course it's all fiction and not real but I feel like more and more REAL people start spewing weird nonsense in day to day life, like the fiction went into their heads and use that villain as a role model. In my opinion it shouldn't happen. What do you think? Sorry again for misunderstanding you at first

[@Leto85]

@@syedarizvi7290If you ask what I think about these type of villains then I can say that I see a common pattern that makes us as the audience like them: they have humor. And they don't cross boundaries that we in real life find abhorrent. None of them I see raping children or kicking pets, and as long as I don't see that happening I have an easier time appreciating the villain's sense of humor. Either they kill inconsequential characters, or Whst they kill seemed justified somehow, such as the bullies who were killed by Arthur in The Joker. Or how Harley Quinn had killed a man who had sexually aharrased her and she fed him to her hygiena pet. We don't see the brutal murder, but it still feels justified since this man was not innocent. This is what we as the audience make like the villian. Did this answer your question?

[@syedarizvi7290]

@@Leto85 The thing is, I also like villains that have a good sense of humor, they have charisma that make them likeable just like any other character, say, the hero. That's fine, I love Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen even though he's like pure evil (he was funny and powerful but obviously I only like him because he's not real). Though I could never ever justify his actions, same as I could never justify the bad actions I see the typical good guys make sometimes. As for Arthur, I think it was self-defense, I think if he didn't kill them, they would have killed him. As for crimes against women, the criminals should be punished severely like any other criminal like kidnapping, stealing etc. Crimes like that leave the victims scarred for life and severe depression. So yeah I agree that all this makes sense but sometimes you might see villains kill people for as little as insulting them and people in the crowd say stuff like; "serves them right!". Mind you, again I have not forgotten this is all fictional and not real so I try not to think about it so much. But honestly, evil characters or even rude good guys are the types of characters I honestly just hate to see. That's just my opinion however and please know that I wouldn't guilt trip someone for liking a certain evil character, to each their own. Sorry for the long rant! Thank you so much for chatting with me! Is there anyone else you wanna talk about?

[@lubanzi_official]

And when his community needed him the most... he delivered. You're videos are really helpful Tyler. Keep it up🖒

[@joshuashakir2772]

I mostly don't listen to many people when they talk about writing cuz it's clear they don't know much, but this was so impactful. You gave me more info then just write antagonists, this is so helpful, thank you

[@fridaymovies2924]

Well nice going Tyler- now I won’t know peace until I see Paddington square off against Thanos on the big screen 😤

[@jojothebard6687]

“You can’t pit Paddington Bear and Thanos. That makes no sense.” Well reality can be whatever I want. Thanos: “I am inevitable.” *snaps fingers, nothing happens.* Paddington: “And I...want....marmalade.” *snaps fingers and creates an infinite supply of marmalade.*

[@AntonWongVideo]

RIGHT?!?! Someone make it happen!

[@Ayosubzero]

I would pay to see that. Watching Paddington save the galaxy by showing Thanos how to be kind and caring is worth the price of admission.

[@Hiddenphantom9999]

Paddinton vs. Thanos is something I never knew I wanted until now

[@dariushcreates]

Somewhere a screenwriter is going to watch this and think, "Right, I'm gonna pit Paddington against Thanos in my movie!"

[@madoxjalowiec5148]

The antagonist does not always need to have the opposite goal of the protagonist as they could both be striving for the same thing, like a competition

[@stocks4bt]

That's true. They just go about it in different ways

[@jayveeruzforce2322]

Like Luffy and Blackbeard

[@grusalfilms4005]

Evil people aren't the exception for the rule........they are the rule

[@andresgordillovaldez4779]

Could there be a case where the antagonist helps the protagonist achieve his goal but at the same time challenges his believes?

[@deadlylaughterproductions]

Of course, that’s what I’m writing right now actually. It’s tricky, but it’s been seen before like in The Silence of the Lambs with Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling.

[@daredevil6145]

Uh-huh *Black Panther* where he lets go of his beliefs and implements villains idea, just "protagonistic" way - if that's the word.

[@notverypog]

I'm currently writing something similar to that; but after I watched this video and this particular concept was never once mentioned; I'm kind of feeling demotivated right now. :(

[@Ashley-yj3oy]

That’s exactly what I am planning to write! I think this is a brilliant idea, and I need to put more effort to achieve a successful story

[@samrooney2958]

I think that would be young magneto in days of future past

[@waltermanson999]

Awesome work ! Thank you for helping everyone tell their stories !

[@flor3224]

Interesting video. I like the idea of an antagonist changing as well as the protagonist. This does not necessarily mean an atonement arc. It would be interesting to see more about how character arcs in antagonists can be developed.

[@patricknelson3692]

If anything, an antagonist can change overtime during a series. Sharing a common enemy or starting to believe in other’s beliefs.

[@courtneym3162]

I'm in the process of writing a book and this was so helpful. My biggest issue with constructing a plot was creating a good enough antagonist but this helps me understand what makes a great antagonist!

[@GrimReaper13926]

finally someone who can explain, how to make a antagonist right

[@philvideofilm]

This is excellent food for thought the first feature-length I am developing. Thanks!

[@jakubrejak1114]

I wonder what kind of a sacrifice can a protagonist make aside from losing those that are close to him?

[@benjaminread5287]

Losing themselves. That's what Katniss in the Hunger Games sacrifices, her freedom to choose who she loves is another she gives up.

[@jakubrejak1114]

@@benjaminread5287 Nice. Any other examples of a possible sacrifice?

[@benjaminread5287]

@@jakubrejak1114 I don't think it's that hard to come up with them. You should make a list of everything a character could lose. Some things may be more dear to certain characters than others, they could sacrifice their job, reputation, just about anything. But if your talking about a sacrifice in order to develop as a character then the sacrifice will usually be dictated by the character's flaw.

[@8ballstreet]

look at the stakes that the character faces should they not achieve what their goal or want. death is but one type of sacrifice. there are also professional stakes, identity stakes, and many others.

[@camowyvern3836]

Sacrifice ones beliefs, a hero who does not kill, breaking their code to save others, damning themselves.

[@RainbowJackals]

It would appear us antagonists are looking for some inspiration from other antagonists, eh?

[@donnellboykin3779]

Great video I'm definitely getting that book on dramatic writing. I want to make my stories the best of my abilities as a beginning writer

[@audioengineeringtips]

grate thank's nice information using it in an animation short

[@joedirectorchannel]

There is an error of caption at min 4:46 when you explain about the antagonist of the dark knight but the caption is referring to Snowpiercer.

[@ElementryLennon]

Your body of work speaks for itself

[@ben-eq1cx]

0:03 OMG Tyler Mowery watches The Flash!!!! LOL, the show on track now LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[@m-hellothere4167]

These videos have been very beneficial. Thank you for your time and efforts. May God bless you all

[@Suleimanfilmaker]

Yo man I’m actually working on a script it’s a mystery detective thriller and surprisingly and I actually followed this

[@grotosmotothecosmicplaytpus]

I haven't watched the video so I don't know if you mentioned it. but in my opinion the best way to write a villian. 1 is by making him the opposite of the protagonist but have one connection to bridge the line. 2 make then change the scene I find you want your villans very precense change the previous scene that is sorta the formula for the joker, the lich and other great villians but really all villans are diffrent

[@olivierparent3554]

Can youtubers stop talking about nolan's joker. As soon as there's a video about antagonist it's the first one they pick. It's becoming a little bit over the top. Otherwise, great video I enjoyed it a lot.

[@Speculaas]

It's hard not to. He's one of the most celebrated antagonists in film history.

[@johndegroot3124]

the visuals of the joker in the films make that character particularly dramatic for a youtube video

[@faithfm1]

We've all seen it so it's a good example in that regard

[@jacksont9455]

I think it’s because he’s an example of an antagonist that has a very clear and simple symbolic opposition to the protagonist that most people have seen.

[@moreshadowtx1850]

Thank you for this cause recently I am coming up on playing andtag this rolling something and this is helping a lot.

[@rohitbhardwaj5932]

wilford is seeing the bigger picture and accepts the sacrifice made. by the time the hero reaches the head of the train, he sees the sacrifice justified for his goal, not much different from the villain. but the irony hits in when the train collapse.

[@Ben10man2]

Ngl Padding v Thanos would be a banger

[@ericocypriani2308]

i am a simple man, i see a video essey with the joker on the thumbnail and i click

[@tyemcivor1194]

Paddington would absolutely dismantle Thanos

[@jayfolk]

Now i want to see paddington bear, the bear without a bad bone in his body and can change anyone for the better, Vs Thanos, Murderer of Trillions. And all they do talk to one another.

[@Joker-sy4xr]

Fantastic video as always 👍

[@ng_jr0096]

Where can I watch one of your films?👀 You would make some awesome movies bro

[@voidarzegon3083]

hey so i'm working on a comic atm and i was haveing a sht time creating the antagonist, the story around them and make them interesting so this video helped a lot mate so thank you ^^ damn good vid 11/10 ;3 i'm gonna sub for more amazing help like this ^^

[@alexcoyg3281]

Anton Chigurh is the best antagonist

[@Biscuits..]

I’m trying to adapt a novel with an almost “captain america” protagonist and a, with no other way to put it, “Russian KGB-like antagonist.” But this video really pushed me towards my instinct of making the protagonist messy and the antagonist human. Instead of just “soldier hero fights other-side lieutenant,” the protagonist wants to earn his medal of honor and get revenge on the other side after his best friend is killed. The antagonist wanted to earn a medal of honor and wanted to protect his soldiers/wife/son, but the protagonist kills his son and now he wants revenge.

[@loosingmymemory7]

That is why I always laugh at movies that abandon this structure and just do something fun in the end, like my antagonist, my agonist, and my protagonist, develop a plot and completely thwart your expectations.

[@Zc_films_il]

You my friend, have just earned yourself a subscriber

[@amazingbro6723]

Yay :D I knew you would do one :)

[@bergman6251]

It was great. Please upload more videos about antagonist.

[@TheFilmmakersWorkshop]

Great advice Tyler

[@Nitrooncrack]

This is why I love Metal Sonic from Sonic the hedgehog. Sonic has always been nature and freedom, but Metal Sonic was created by Eggman to have the exact OPPOSITE beliefs. Forcing the two to clash.

[@CanalPolakasobalsa]

Thank you

[@artemisnite]

Anyone horrified by the diet in Snowpiercer should check out how candy is made.

[@bloodmooncomix457]

6:06 These clips are masterful teaching tools! 😚🤌

[@jaredsouders2614]

Can I get your opinion on something? I was considering making an antagonist in a story having roughly the same beliefs as the protagonist. and having it be more like the protagonist learns from how far the other goes and realizes it’s wrong. Would you consider that a good way to challenge the protagonist’s beliefs? They both kinda want the same things in slightly different ways. But he realizes what he needs isn’t that through what they go through and how it effects everyone.

[@MicWellz]

paddington would give thanos the HANDS

[@JonAddisonFilms]

What about antagonists that believe the same thing as protagonists but just are 'further down the line' of that thought. For example, both John Doe and Detective Sommerset in Se7en are disgusted by the apathy of the world they live in (but John Doe is a step too far).

[@codythedoggo7671]

These videos are great

[@IrondragonGamingYouTubeChannel]

Tyler thanks for your videos! I'm working on a novel and a lot of your videos relate to writing my book. I do have a question that you kind of touched on at the end of the video. My protagonist doesn't have an antagonist. Not even nature. Because of my characters personality conflict isn't an issue. So how do I ensure I have a strong story without an antagonist

[@starchaser777]

i think you should make the protagonist conflict be themselves. those types of stories are kinda interesting tho

[@Carlos-to9yt]

Can you have multiple antagonists in a story?

[@tusharsharma904]

Every work on this video seems true. 🙂

[@craiglofton7219]

Freaking loved it

[@rohang8246]

Joker in Thumbnail!!!!!!!!

[@Ayosubzero]

Great video.

[@spyrax370]

"With the death of Rachel, Batman lost the most important person in his life" Oh please, she was just a plot device. Alfred would mean more to him than her, imo. 😒

[@Vijaykumar-uq5sc]

Plz make a video on how to write a great suspense 🙏 plzz

[@yousseftalal4520]

Can you do a video about great action

[@TheDarkSideOfIndustry]

As much as I think the dark knight is overrated what I love about Joker is his belief that society is evil. On a surface level he seems totally evil and in the wrong but when you look deeper. I sort of get where he's coming from. We have deluded ourselves into believing that having a job, having lots of money, and having a family is an obligation. We act like this makes us civilised and disciplined but all it shows is how much of a slave mindset we all really have. Take it like this, we all see people who don’t work, or who don’t have lots of money as lazy and inferior to us. We see humans who don’t have families as lonely failures who didn’t try hard enough. And the second someone comes along and says we should rebel against the slave mindset we see them as the bad person. We see them as lazy, greedy and selfish. When in reality we are all lazy, greedy selfish. We only want what we are told we need. And we see those who don’t want what we want as stupid and ignorant.

[@benjamingentile1660]

Paddington would whop Thanos’ ass

[@RicklessSanchez]

To me You ever wonder horror films can murder anybody? Scary characters have saga story because sometimes they came back alive.

[@Joker-sy4xr]

I wouldn’t normally say “first “ But this is my first time being first so FIRST

[@wiledman2430]

How do i make my protagonist his own antagonist?

[@RicklessSanchez]

Also in the end how long you stay good guy? How bad you wanted more something else?

[@r.a.mpictures]

Does an antagonist have a need a realisation?

[@JadenHercules]

Remember; a story doesn't have to have a protagonist for a story to exist. I think it always depends on the tale that you're working on.

[@Author_SoftwareDesigner]

Can you provide an example of this?

[@haynesrobert2830]

Congrads

[@ng_jr0096]

I have started my own film. I am writing the script now. Thank you for helping me. Love your vids. I got the inspiration for it from the Among Us game👀🙂

[@noonebossesthegarnet2890]

What is it about?

[@briansalazar7397]

Globalist programs amaze the senses over& overrrrrrrrr again 🤔😉🎾

[@cjkalandek996]

Hey. Have you made a video on how to write a screenplay that has more than one subplot that doesn't feel disjointed? Because I know there are films out there that have done so and are coherent, such as _Spider-Man 2_ and _Avengers: Infinity War._ But say _Iron Man 2._ While it's not the worst MCU movie out there, it does suffer from a dozen subplots, in which only 3 of them are relevant to the overall story and only one of them has the closest thing to an emotional payoff. A video on that would be nice.

[@Hamzah-Rafeeq]

so early there aren't even dislikes yet.

[@Speed202]

HA....of course you would pit Paadington Bear against Thanos. Have you seen Paddies shoulders?....he's friends with everyone?.....Thanos ain't for nothing on him without that shiny, brass glove...

[@RicklessSanchez]

Let me understand this. Of course protagonist have the checkmate how ending story goes. What if protagonist don't? Than antagonist take checkmate with no happy ending. Learn from wisdom rather fictional story or non-fictional story.

[@TheBermudaMan]

You can also have the exact opposite problem, where the writer agrees TOO MUCH with the antagonist. I feel The Last Jedi suffered overall as a movie because the director attempted to project moral grey areas onto a fictional narrative that's ALL ABOUT moral absolutes. The rebels are the good guys, the Empire the bad guys. It's as simple and straightforward as that. This isn't War and Peace, it's Flash Gordon.

[@bananian]

Yeah, not every character has to be morally grey. Plenty of irl people are evil to the core with no redeeming value.

[@Metroum]

I know many people tell you that you look like Grant Guston lol

[@anumberninelarge1391]

The joker proved to Batman that no matter what you do next.. the outcome is ALWAYS the same. YOU MISSED THE POINT BECAUSE HE WAS RIGHT. Batman DIDNT win…. And that’s the point.

[@lamar7of9]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@samerm8657]

Im gonna hit the like, but you didn't tell us to comment, so I won't.

[@MrSatan-ji8kj]

Forget berlin??

[@laughingdogges]

7

[@blackfang3000]

Just go for the Nazis.

[@deadlylaughterproductions]

What if you had two protagonists who act as antagonists to each other, but have a greater antagonist to overcome?

[@alvinshinson6882]

So a bit like daredevil and the punisher who both aim to fight crime for different reasons and methods which conflict with each other but at the end joining together to fight another antagonist (the Irish gang and the Hand)

[@guebligueddim2198]

Second

[@bluepterosaur]

:3

[@forfunely1240]

FIRST

[@anumberninelarge1391]

Everybody seems to miss the point of The Dark Knight.. even those who think understand it.. really really don’t. Including you man and I feel bad for you:(

[@anumberninelarge1391]

THE DARK KNIGHT EXPLAINS THE DICHOTOMY BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN.. how does no one else see this?