How to write EXCITING characters.

[@elsewhere_ash]

Quit my teaching job of four years this last May to start editing/creating full-time. Started watching your videos recently and you’ve given me a focus for the future. Kudos for the content!

[@benjaminfigueroa1833]

Same. I'm quitting this September

[@SilverXT]

I quit this past May after 8 years. Happy to be a part of the club!

[@NetFelixOfficiel]

Dude, i just want to stop the video here to say that you are my favorite storyteller on youtube. I absolutely love how you condense everything into a super easy way for everyone to learn and choose subjects that everyone needs to learn about. love the content and i hope that they will be more screenwriting videos in the future, you deserve a million subs

[@StandardStoryCo]

Thanks so much!

[@cosmic-fortytwo]

6:23 "This aggression will not stand!" The cool thing about Jeff Lebowski was that at one time he was a famous activist and was part of the Seattle Seven. So hidden underneath his go-with-the-flow attitude is a tenacious strength to fight for what he believes.

[@blueotter5954]

I am understanding more about why some scenes make me angry. The potential of characters was flattened at a fast pace.

[@CZ008]

Thanks as a beginner filmmaker and writer this helps I’ve had trouble with characters and so I have often kept my characters silent

[@achillesreyskens2774]

Peace sells... But who's buying?

[@FrictionMakesFire]

About to start production on our short film this weekend, and happy to report that our main character is very active in making tough choices throughout the film. Great video!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Another banger video, thanks! I know you talk about film but so much of this is applicable to everything else too-- creative writing, KZbin, etc! Appreciate this channel so much

[@AugustSchunk]

I liked your breakdown of this subject. For some reason I wanted a similar analysis of the characters and character arcs in Office Space. I feel this film was great because each character was so well developed.

[@StandardStoryCo]

Such a great movie

[@EyeBallWritesStorys]

Some advice for creating a "follow the rules" kind of character, also known as a lawful character: make them break a rule not because the plot demands it, but because something motivates them to do so. For example, consider a husband who just learns that his wife has cancer. He has no way to pay for her treatment, and he fears he is letting her down. This situation leads him to make the risky choice to rob a bank, just enough to cover her medical bills. Basically, give the lawful character a personally meaningful reason to break the rules rather than doing so merely because the plot requires it. Thanks for the great and helpful video and have a great day.

[@dylanreid8770]

I've been watching your videos for a few weeks now and each and everytime I watch something I come out with something new. I really think you've enhanced my ability to make a good story and I thankyou so much for that!

[@empyreal-t.v.]

Can't express enough how helpful and motivating your content is! Wish you much success!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Happy to hear that, back at you 🙏

[@OfficialIrysh]

interesting... the video is ten minutes long, and yet there are comments from 2 mins after posting saying it was a great video (which im sure it is.) but my spidey sense is tingling

[@StandardStoryCo]

Sounds like you've never tasted the glory of being first comment. Sometimes that sweet endorphin rush trumps all reason.

[@boethjelle8769]

Nice pfp

[@ChrisMinorOfficial]

Maybe his friends and fam commented, lol I’d save those spidey senses for someone more like…Klaus Schwab-ish. I’ve seen a few videos from this channel and from what I’ve watched, the guy posts informative and interesting videos that have to deal with processes behind filmmaking. I think we can put the spidey suit away, at least until he starts saying “you’ll own nothing and be happy,” haha

[@JohnHarrerHorses]

@@StandardStoryCo Dang, I wish i’d said that first! ;)

[@mfwspew]

nah there's bots all over youtube that are trying to get in first to tell you how great your video is so you get all happy about the compliment check out *their* channel. I trust this dude.

[@gedreeves9692]

Dude you're subscriber count is going through the roof! Keep up the awesome content man, enjoying this channel more than any other right now!

[@thekusariproject]

Good video bro! Thanks for putting all this in one video, very easy to find. Definitely will use some of this while creating characters in the future! Thanks a lot and keep up the good work

[@Ilikespace403]

Thanks man! I really want to be a filmmaker myself and your videos are really helpful! Great vid.

[@StandardStoryCo]

Glad to hear it, go get after it!

[@gladicus_]

This was great. I'm glad I found this video, and I wonder if you have made any more videos related to writing characters?

[@adamnuttall1362]

found my self binge watching your content. I’ve just started to get into filmmaking and found your channel giving Grade A information. Thanks

[@Wacko-iy9vb]

Those tips were so helpful nd easy to understand. thank you so much!!

[@johnsonken96]

“If your film is all about one bad after another happening to your character, you’re going to end up with a very passive, reactive character and that’s not exciting-” Levi Ackerman: Sorry, I know what you mean but that’s where my mind went.

[@kippmorgan7143]

Perfect timing!! Great vid

[@GrimRplayZzYT]

Thanks man, these tips would mostly help me, also I hope u would reach 100k really soon :)

[@umauma5537]

quite underrated content, hats off sir

[@kozankaexe2288]

im trying make my first short film for a contest and video was helpfull for me! Thank u so mutch!

[@TheRunningSongs]

I like to write, but the main thing I’m trash at is characters, I can describe and write long stories, just no good characters, thanks.

[@StandardStoryCo]

Hope this helps!

[@paujokmastercomedy9177]

There is nothing like trush everyone has his story keep on trying,,I am a writer

[@kristianrave]

you just helped me over a bit of a flat spot. thanks for that!

[@DaveTheTurd]

Excellent. Glad I found your channel. Great content.

[@aaronross9131]

Fantastic teaching! Thanks

[@soundrogue4472]

4:09 I'm just going to assume you're talking about passive risk avoiding and not actively minizine risk.

[@jamwant8842]

thanks man i am trying to make a novel this really helped

[@LazyDev27]

I started writing a horror fantasy book and I've been scouring for information like this.

[@brads.3674]

I feel like a little higher camera angle might be more flattering.

[@loudrimshot]

Yes.. It's great to point out that we empathize with Tony soprano... But why? He's a mobster, the head of a family... He has a lot of power.... But he sees a therapist and he has anxiety. That is why why. The opening scene of the first episode is him passing out on his front lawn. Talk about vulnerability

[@yesfredfredburger8008]

Dr. Watson is a more passive narrator, compared to the protagonist, Sherlock, who he is reporting on

[@lokeshnarasimhan7260]

One great example of memorable characters is undoubtedly the ones in THE HANGOVER trilogy..... Stu, Doug, Alan and Phil were ever lasting in our minds!!! And all of them were active throughout, had strong beliefs and of course were Rule-Breakers.... Who agrees with me?

[@Thegingerbreadman223]

I have a question! While working around one of my own stories, ive developed quite a few stock characters. Is it necessary to go into detail about who they are, where they're from, their backstory, likes and dislikes?? Or simply state the basic and important things needed to be known about them and adress their role in the story?

[@FULLofJOHN]

Thank you Kent

[@wamulwangekabwe5931]

Thanks for all this. Im using your videos to write my comic book. A first for my country

[@samaelkrieg]

Do you have a video (or any tips) about how to create a good Everyman character? I am writing a mystery-horror story in which the main character is a man that could be any man, anywhere. It could be that guy you passed on the street yesterday, your neighbor, or even you. He's a sensible man, making safe decisions over risky ones. And that is one thing that holds him back. The setting is him being pushed into a world where he cannot be passive anymore. He discovers the mysteries and dangers that others can't see, and he can't escape them by running. He'll try to run at first, but he'll be put in situations he has no choice but to act, and make a choice. Later he'll become more active, at first pushed by the b-story character, but later driven by his own motives. The problem is that any way I write him he comes off as bland and boring. (Which I suppose is true for the majority of people.) How can I write an Everyman character that is ACTUALLY interesting? Without loosing the aspect that makes him so average? And is there any books or movies you can suggest that has such a character that works?

[@jollityangel]

im not an expert on this, but try giving him a reason why he is the way he is. why is he an everyman?

[@takemeserious6772]

Quick question!! How long does it take u to edit this video??

[@theedgereport7383]

Uncut Gems is one of the greatest character development stories ever as far as watching the main character make increasingly bad decisions

[@belivaboy]

I am making my first short film and right now all I have is an Idea how do I turn my idea into a story

[@cringeworthy4755]

What I do is I link the idea to a literary theme like love, consequences etc afterwards I figure out what question or statement I'm trying to answer or debate that links to the theme, as in "Can love conquer anything?" "How far would you go to support your family if your days were numbered?" Something like that. Then I create my Protagonist or if I have characters in mind already I pick my Protagonist (link them to the theme) and then I do the same thing for all of my other characters, by first considering their want and their belief and then their background, personality (values, likes and dislikes), then their relationships (including characters they clash with), and culture (the wider world they live in and, if it matters, their position/role in that world). Then you'll have your cast and then you can build your plot. For more info on plot, my go-to video is:

[@AmonsShortFilms]

I have a question about this. I'm writing a script to a horror movie, were the killer is also the main character. (Kind of like American Psycho) However, I don't the viewers to know this until the end, and I also want to make it believable that he isn't the killer. Something I have noticed when watching movies were the killer is hiding their identity, they seem like a background character with out much detail. Like they're supposed to be over looked. So I'm wondering while writing the main character, if I should make it so only one side of him follows the "rules" in your video, and if the other "side" of him should be kind of bland and boring.

[@warrenjia2]

Hi, bro, thanks for your great content! But I still think there are a lot for me to think. Um, is there any ideas to write a character for this logline? It's: A girl who relied deeply on an abusive boyfriend sees a normal couple in the park and decides to break up with her boyfriend.

[@TheKillerThrow]

Brilliant

[@phononanon]

Love your video, but the choice of Will Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean as an example of a passive main character felt like a complete misreading of the character. At multiple points he takes definitive action that drives the plot, especially in Acts 2 and 3. With such a poor example I couldn't help feeling like it actually took away some credibility. I know this video is a year old but I hope that's something you can improve on in the future. In fairness, it's safe to say that Jack Sparrow steals the show, but that doesn't prove Turner to be passive.

[@UnnecessaryBelond]

I pissed on myself and I aint even lyin 😭

[@AndresHernandezFilms]

what has helped you jump to starting a short film? I want to make one so badly but don't have a story or script haha

[@MaidenMacabre]

Thank you for the information. I was looking for something to help me make my character in a vampire the masquerade campaign more endearing. I'll be applying some of your advice, cheers :)

[@larslarsen5414]

Who is that in the middle? I get the Dude and taxi driver on either side...

[@Angelpathfinder1]

WoW 👏

[@Squall17x]

What If my main character is a child for the first 15% of the story?

[@jymjym7995]

the fact that you brought pirates of the carribean as an example of a "boring passive main character" being a bad thing pretty much proves you wrong on its own. it's not that i'd say it's bad advice, in fact it's probably pretty good advice for people who aren't writer experts. i myself wouldn't really want a passive main character in my story. but i think "having passive main character = bad" whole thing is a misconception, that i dislike and i believe the same for every advice in this video. good advice, but that doesn't mean the opposite can't work and i believe that is important to address

[@camilofx]

A decisive character who's a bit of a rule breaker and a charismatic sociopath, with strong beliefs

[@DAMON409]

Thats bullshit. Ive been involved in several projects that were character pieces that fell apart because there was no story, as in no goal that forced an evolution in the character.

[@showtale8325]

I'm not sure it's worth it to try to tell todays audience a good story. So jaded by video games bad movies and they recognize the ingredients, they should make their own films

[@assasinscreedfilm]

I strongly disagree with your opinion on the importance of the story, I think a good story is a good thing but not a necessary thing to make a good movie. For me some of the best movies like shawshank redemption, no country for old men , the godfather ,all have very basic stories and for me what make them very impressive is the technical aspect and what the filmmaker did with the story .

[@CarlosCastillo-se5mb]

Misleading video

[@chefcorinth]

Great video, but Jack Sparrow is the main character of Pirates of the Caribbean

[@StandardStoryCo]

In the original film I don't think he is

[@Cloud_Envy111]

Been wanting to take my filming to the next level and this channel is helping so much, when I win my first film festival I’m going to mention you 🥲🤞🏾