How to Write Great Characters

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[@gyrosphinx]

I like copying myself for villains. It makes it easier to write their motivations, and it allows me to explore my own beliefs by taking them to their logical extremes.

[@Bennahr_Fett]

thats ingenious

[@TREKKS300]

Same

[@whyllowfilms]

@@heisenberg744 That is a really interesting concept for a villain! I have a villain that's personality is quite complex. He was introduced as a good protagonist, before undergoing serious mental issues and causing destruction, leaving his family at a fault on what path to lead from then on. I would assume his motivations consist of greed and desire, where he isn't quite full until he has what he wants. Eventually this mindset destroys him more because all his greed consists of hurting people and their homes, towns, cities, kingdoms, etc. He is very unhealthy but what I find most interesting is that he knows that what he does is wrong and fights with these thoughts in an unimaginably long depression. Better yet, he was supposed to be a replacement for his brother as king, in which his brother was the villain that was introduced at the beginning of the story. I love writing villains and creating different motivations and reasoning for their problems. Some villains are manipulative, some feel as if their intentions are doing good, some are fighting with themselves, some are psychopathic, etc. Hopefully I will be able to come up with more ideas on villains, especially when working with the climax of the story.

[@DirectorDelta]

I’m late, but I’ve done sort of like that. The protagonist of my story, the founder of PTC, is based on me. He’s somewhat of an antihero though, so it is somewhere between the standard “me but better” and your example.

[@eitradder]

I do the same thing. I have really good self control to where I don't get attached like most writers do.

[@Brikxar]

I just got an ad for film riot. On film riot 😂

[@alessandrocwilliam]

Filmriotception

[@oliverrdam9928]

Same 😂

[@blairssquare647]

XD

[@HistoryBoy]

Lololol

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@alessandrocwilliam Filmriotception is not just Film Riot inside a Film Riot. It's actually putting a Film Riot into someone else's Film Riot, making them think it's their own.

[@j.h.5576]

The fact Seth loves names makes me feel less weird about my notebook filled with names that I've heard in real life and seen on baby name sites. Excellent video, guys.

[@cjkalandek996]

@Film Riot You know, when I went searching for sources on how to make a great character, I found this one video about how there are 3 personality traits that must be established: *LIKEABILITY* _How likeable are they?_ *COMPETENCY* _How good are they at what they do?_ *ACTIVITY* _How active are they? How much do they affect the story or how much does the story affect them?_ And when filling out these traits, you need to follow 2 rules: 1. Your character must excel in at least one of these categories. 2. Your character cannot excel in all 3 categories. So far, this method seems to make some kind of sense, but what do you think?

[@specimen9831]

im not film riot obviously but these are some pretty steadfast tips

[@hridaysharma6694]

I think.. James bond and sherlock holmes are excellent in all of them. What do you think?

[@shadowproductions969]

I would say these are decent guidelines for certain types of characters but you should never limit yourself. Mary Poppins, James Bond, Holmes, Superman, I mean a lot of characters are very likable, competent and the stories pretty much center around their actions. I would probably focus more on making sure characters fit within the world you're writing, whether it's fantasy or realism. I find it easier to write based off personalities of people I know and stretching them from there.. both people I like and dislike.

[@BrokenSIMGlasses]

The Closer Look

[@mou5636]

@@hridaysharma6694 I think we as an audience, we like them but to other characters in their stories they could come in as arrogant

[@RudyAyoub]

grab a piece of paper, a pen, and spell it out neatly usually how I do it

[@timewrath7723]

Unsubscribed bro

[@dustinalecxander8647]

@@timewrath7723 why do people hate him again?

[@timewrath7723]

@@dustinalecxander8647 it's an iromic in-joke on his channel

[@MegaToonzNetwork]

Apples. Now decipher!@@timewrath7723

[@officialpetermclaughlin]

Evil Seth honestly didn’t even seem that evil ironically

[@shadowproductions969]

not evil per se, just passive aggressive.. leading to a lot of conflict. Evil Seth just would not compromise.. people like that use passive aggressiveness to get someone to just get frustrated and do it 100% their way and then act like the other person doesn't need to do that.. but then gloat in their victory. If good Seth was more aggressive himself he'd just have ordered half and half and been done. They are very much opposites of each other though and that was the point.

[@DusBeforeDawn2008]

Yeah Annoying Seth would be more apt than Evil Seth

[@AllThingsFilm1]

I love the suggestion of creating two characters, and then writing a 3-page scene of conflict. A simple exercise that has a lot of value in its approach. FR delivers.

[@asherward1589]

That Seth and Evil Seth talk was what I live for. Freakin Hilarious. But truthfully. That is actually a smart idea I never thought of. Usually I don't have troubles with characters and who they are, they just feel right, which means banter between them just works. But sometimes I have characters I feel like I'm forcing emotion out of, then when the conflict, sometimes I have their emotions right but then when they conflict I can't seem to decide what one would say to the other, it doesn't work. I'm definitely keeping this in mind next time I have this trouble.

[@theblasteffect4499]

It sounds like you're having trouble getting into the mindset of your character.

[@netzav.9910]

What you said about Finding the characters voices is such great advice . Writing their way out of conflict immediately made so much sense and you can see what kind of person someone is through the ways they deal with their problems . Thank you guys for being so helpful!

[@eazybarr8723]

Is it me or does Film Riot University sound like a great idea?

[@josephdocherty7919]

I agree with Seth, you know you have a great character when you know how they'll react in a situation without you holding their hands. Great video as always @Film Riot

[@GMMReviews]

*"Villains never change"* Then Darth Vader was never a villain.

[@briskryant1286]

Palpatine was the villain, Vader/Anakin was, in a crazy way, the protagonist of the saga. (Sequels not canon)

[@chloecatron3500]

After watching everything everywhere all at once, I started writing my characters around the different ways you can look at a philosophical question or concept. For instance in that movie, they are all different perspectives on nihilism

[@GaryTurbo]

A strong unlikeable character is the worst to write, especially if they have the force

[@maxjohnson6502]

Rey?

[@theblasteffect4499]

​@@maxjohnson6502Rey is a tricky one because she has a weird mix of unlikeable traits and likeable traits, which for me makes her meh Power or strength isn't everything.

[@theblasteffect4499]

I feel like there's two issues with simply a writing a strong and unlikable character, in what way are they strong? Are they intelligent? Do they have the capacity to achieve their goals? In what ways are they unlikeable? Broad or general statements to base your characters on are gonna do a number on your characters, making them simpler than if you had layed out more developed or better ideas for the character. Strong and unlikeable isn't quite the it for me at least. At least that's my take.

[@itamarbenziv3793]

Love your vids as usual! Been watching you for years at this point can’t wait for Black Friday to buy all the goodies you guys and giving. ❤️ love yours and Seth’s work! Keep it up Ry guy and the FR family

[@hunterbartley7071]

I think this has been one of my favorite videos from y’all

[@thefrikanih7390]

5:43 "Please keep telling me the rules of ghosts". Such a clever line, LMAO!

[@caitlinmiller8121]

OMG! I started watching to write compelling characters; now all I want to do is binge-watch your vids. What a hoot!

[@whyllowfilms]

This video is 4 years ago, but I really liked the idea of putting two characters who seem vaguely different and put them in a situation that included them both to participate, I'll definitely be using that as writing exercises, thanks!

[@movienerds]

We decided to take a similar route with what you guys do and make sequels to films that we loved as kids. the first one we did is The Goonies 2

[@DanielEarl]

Highly reccomend Seth's classes. They're great.

[@AlexKillian]

Yes Seth!!! You guys rock, thank you

[@Agent-E]

Just when I was missing Film riot... 😩🤘🏽

[@itchyandscratchy7350]

😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

[@JacobScott]

Been listening to the Film Riot podcast and it's been awesome! And I think it should be Ryan and Josh every podcast lol

[@ikereed6847]

That room is HUGE! Even with the sound blankets I'm sure were used, there is that reverb that kinda created a bit of listening work for me. I wonder if RX7 could've handled that or not. Still, enjoyable and slightly whimsical.

[@reaper9-115]

Awesome work!

[@quinnls]

Have you considered talking about how to write a feature film-sized story idea into a 5 minute short? This is my main issue right now and I’d love any input you have.

[@nerdgamer2749]

I found this video very helpful when writing my script for my series :)

[@FourmyMediaGroup]

Feeeck, Seth's performance was outstanding!! 😮

[@hunterbartley7071]

Can’t wait for Black Friday!!!!!

[@miguelalcalde3645]

I got writing 201 last year´s black friday on your store, and I can not recomend it enough

[@omersamirdesign8515]

Amazing man🔥🔥🔥

[@just4youstudios]

Not gonna lie- I was kinda hoping this would be a trailer for Writing 301. LOVED writing 201!

[@specimen9831]

I would rlly like more like this

[@RobizGaming2024]

This is top-notch advice. And I love the good and evil arguing over a pizza 😂.

[@theweirdoag2277]

My best advice is that for characters u have to be really connected to them so much u cry by there situations and pain and feel there emotions, u need to be connected to ur characters

[@donovanoakes2862]

That pizza segment nearly broke me lol

[@marcellacassab4331]

Seth -"We're gonna die here. We're literally going to starve to death" Anti Seth - "No, you don't need to starve to death. I'll starve to death. Seriously, I don't mind." Me- DEAD

[@SpriteNeos]

An ad for the Filmstro competition, hosted by you, on your video. Film Riot you've outdone yourself.

[@ernest1324]

Brilliant!

[@CodestarProductions]

There are some great villains that change over the course of the story! They can get worse, then can get better but not so much better that they're not bad anymore.

[@thedifferent14]

I guess a better way to say it is that villains may change in the way they WANT to but not the way they NEED to, like they'll change the small things but not the root cause/flaw of their behavior.

[@gsb3166]

Love yall

[@elizabethcolebourn9587]

Love this! Especially ordering the pizza. Oh my gosh!!

[@erikmaikkujawa9632]

Love your videos❤👍

[@bloodscripsandessays]

Dope vid.. Soaking up game🎬💯

[@mathewcoulliette2233]

Hi, I would like your advice on writing KZbin videos. I have both Microsoft word and Final Draft. If I don't write the episode, then it's not very good. But if I do write the episode, then I over plan it and the episode exceeds what I am capable of producing.

[@electricimpulse3785]

Most underrated channel :((

[@bacnic]

I have the same polo from h&m!

[@junky802]

Lol idk why,but I was skeptical on the video. Then the character interaction sold me. I'll check you out

[@DroiMedia]

Funniest and most informative stuff on KZbin. Hands down.

[@jonathanalfred446]

Film Riot I love you !! 😩❤️

[@StrongbyLee]

The back and forth had me cracking up!

[@LycanVisuals]

I'll hold out for black Friday ;)

[@thomaspig7684]

This is my response to the prompt, it isn’t quite three pages but I like it. (Walking down a street in town and wondering what to do) We should go to the park No, it’s too cold outside. We should go somewhere warm. There’s a pizza kitchen nearby that I’ve been meaning to check out It’s chilly at worst. If you want to we can go back to your house so you can get a coat. No, I don’t want to head back now, we’re already too far away. Why do you want to go to the park anyways? Well we don’t have to go to the park. I just don’t want to be cooped up while it’s so nice outside. We never get weather like this. We could go to the soccer field and try to find a ball. I doubt anyone just left their ball by mistake We could check though. Last time I was there I found a frisbee. There isn’t going to be anything there this time. What are the odds that someone left another frisbee? Not zero Close to it though. Why can’t we just go to the pizza place. People say it’s really good. Im not really in the mood for pizza. I’m actually kind of warm. Then you can get a salad but I really want to try the pizza there. I don’t feel like salad either. We could go to my house and cook together. I thought you said you don’t want to be inside today I did but you’re so set on going to eat I thought we could do something that we both would enjoy I don’t like cooking, I just want to try the food at this new pizza place. Can’t we do that a different day? Let’s try and figure out something we both want to do Ok fine, do you… want to go play video games? Where? like at the arcade? Yeah I guess No, those places are way too overpriced. Ok… how about at your house? I’m kind of bored of street fighter. You have all the good games, we should go to your house. We’re even further away now, I’m not turning back. Then what should we do? I don’t know. You wanted me to compromise and I did. I’m out of ideas. (They continue walking for a while in silence) Oh hey, isn’t there still a blockbuster In this town? Yeah but there isn’t anything worth seeing there anymore. All the cool movies were either stolen or broken and it’s not like they have the budget to replace them. They still have some good movies at the library though. We could go there. Ok, I’d be up for that I guess

[@vanessajohn560]

Great video

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

The thing I'm planning to do is take positive and negative aspects of my character (my bad thoughts and my good moments) and use them to create characters

[@nongkyndongfilms4102]

Yo, a Film Riot add about that short film competition just showed up before this video!

[@DieCiuryburies]

Hey Ryan (or Seth), I was wondering if you could do a segment on how to do the "same person twice in a shot" effect. I know, you can overlay the two shots on top of each other, while masking one of them but I guess there is a lot more involved to get it to feel like its actually two people talking. Especially because you have this long, uncut take with quite a few interruptions happening in the dialogue. I noticed evil Seth might have something like a wireless earbud in his right ear, where he probably hears the responding audio. However, I still cannot quite figure out how you'd get the timing just right when filming "normal Seth". Did he just leave a pause as long as he thought was the right amount of time or was there another person talking very quietly, off-camera, so the mic wouldn't pick it up? Thanks in advance, keep up the good stuff and lots of luv ♥ Oli

[@benklewais]

Ciuryburies i think good Seth was just reading the lines of Bad Seth in his head in the same speed as he would normally say them. That way he had a long enough pause and he could keep up with the dialogue.

[@DieCiuryburies]

@@benklewais I think so too... That's pretty damn good acting/timing tho!

[@arthuryore]

God I need more of Joshes interuptions...

[@flower_chain7098]

My two characters ordering pizza! Az sat on the couch, coiled and tense like a wire. She fiddled with her fingers, ready to bolt. Leo lounged on the carpet beneath, all loose lines and languid strokes. He was watching her, his eyes relaxed. “You want pizza?” He asked suddenly, breaking the silence. Azami’s eyes darted to his. “…what?” “What kind of pizza do you want?” he said, starting to dial away on his phone. She thought about it, before replying tensely. “I don’t care. You choose.” “Just pick something.” “I told you. I don’t care.” Leo sighed, staring at the screen. “You okay with pineapple and spinach, then? It’s my favorite.” Azami’s stomach gave a kick in protest. “Well…I’d prefer pepperoni.” “Alright,” Leo smiled, “Pepperoni it is, then.”

[@orcanium]

Is this class still available..?

[@DaytonSC]

the ads are always the best

[@DonovanPresents]

I've been on both ends of the pizza Seths.

[@BruniFamilyTV]

Great tips . I want to make videos where I have conversations with myself like that. Maybe in a mirror.

[@VictorGraphics1]

75% off! Yeesss! Thank you!

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

I'm working on my character's personality traits. Any help with that?

[@peepeepoopoopizzafart]

heres a good start! "t r a u m a"

[@GreatGreekGaelic]

I was doing some practice with the decision of pizza and it works. My characters had a whole debate on why they should trust that the food wasn’t poisoned. 😂 “You hate my guts, what makes you thinks I’m just going to hulk down that pizza and hit the floor?” “It’s not poisoned, love! I’ll take the first piece, just to show you!” “Yeah. Right. Sure”

[@quiquenet1756]

Thanks a lot for this, thanks to Seth. In my opinion, the most important aspect of filmmaking is script writing, as well as the script is the vital point in a film. Awesome video, again!!!

[@Arty_Apple_Bee]

Best dialogue ever

[@LoreReloaded]

Ok I am buying the story telling for the skit alone

[@JaspreetSinghArtist]

make more videos about Script writing and all this stuff

[@flower_chain7098]

Good and bad My characters discussing the concept! - Are we the bad guys? - “They think we’re villains.” Azami said, staring out of the tinted window. Below, a swarm of people were shouting their protests and raising up signs filled with hate. “They can think what they want.” Leo snapped, irritated. Things haven’t gone like they were supposed to. They were meant to recruit more people, get more support… the variables weren’t in their favor. Leo rubbed at his arm, a nervous habit. “They think those… angels, are the good guys.” she said, looking at him with dead eyes. “We showed them the proof. Are they really so blind?” “People don’t change their beliefs so easily.” Leo said, the chair violently scraping the floor as he stood up. “Yes, they’re blind, yes, they’re stupid. But right now, in their story, we fit the role of the bad guys. The villains. There’s nothing we can do about it.” “Is there?” Azami was acting weird, the blackness in her eyes dark and all-consuming. “I’m a monster, but you’re good. You can see it straight away.” “I’m not a good person.” Leo ran a hand over his hair, his temper spiking. “You’re the blind one if you can’t see that!” The air thickened with the silence, but now that Leo started, he couldn’t stop. “I killed many people for the greater good. If my plan doesn’t work, then that just makes those deaths pointless, makes me a murderer. I am a murderer! In the early days, the only thing I thought about you was how I could use you in the plan. You weren’t even a person to me! I…I…” Leo quickly lost steam, starting to regret his words. “I’m sorry. I lost control.” Azami was staring at him, but instead of the apprehension that he expected, her eyes lost the blackness and were filled with wonder. “Then…” she said, her voice closer to a whisper. “We’re more similar than I thought.”

[@heyitsgoob6983]

👏 I was engaged reading it

[@flower_chain7098]

@@heyitsgoob6983 thank you!

[@cardboardbatman2997]

#FEATUREFilmRiot Time for a feature film or TV directing creds, Ryan! Dust off that Super Ry Guy Batsuit! The people need you!

[@wimbler836]

You guys are great helped my films a lot. I only have 1 complaint. When you make a KZbin chanel you are trying to help us for free while still making a living. Im well aware that you need money so you charge classes. But i come to watch you for free film tips. If i was gonna pay for a class i would go on to master class and pay the 100 dollars because then ill get everything. But you guys are awesome keep it up!

[@thesznseries]

Love film riot. Great lesson. Filmmakers, I would love to watch everyone's content. Comment below and share your vision!

[@andrewpawlowski2027]

Dining this for 15 characters is going to take a bit.

[@abdrhmn7093]

Film Riot ad on a Film Riot video... Nice

[@XX-sp3tt]

So when a character refuses to change, and they have the odds stacked against them, that makes them the villain-protagonist?

[@faustaslabanauskas5238]

🔥🔥

[@DR-7]

The conversation betwen seth and evil seth remind me of my parents

[@nazirullsafrypaijo5694]

OMG after 30 years! a homework!!

[@joeytryst]

Seth IS cool.

[@cooltrainervaultboy-39]

So quick question, is a glorified self insert with all your real life character flaws i.e. clumsy, absent minded, mild to possible Aspergers, a good character to have? Because lately it seems like characters that are clumsy are just badly written, or not liked all that much. What I guess I'm trying to ask is how do you write a self insert who is not a Mary Sue/Gary Stu?

[@theblasteffect4499]

I think basically what a Mary sue is, is a female character who is strong and powerful but doesn't earn any of it Basically I think a Mary sue is a woman character based solely on being powerful, don't do that. Your self insert can develop into a very interesting character, and hey when you develop maybe that character will develop differently, and the two of you would change each other's stories in a way.

[@mitchnmavstudios8286]

IS THERE SERIOUSLY NO ONE WHO IS GONNA COMMENT ABOUT 6:54 !? That’s one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a long time 🤣🤣🤣

[@Grilinctus]

I loved the whole thing!

[@kris.monroe]

"It's kind of like a Police Department!" "Okay, Interested. Where's this going?" etc... Almost such an amazing payoff after all these years and perfectly executed. XD

[@FinBrennan]

Finally! Another hilarious sponsor segment with Josh! 😂😂😂

[@JacobMcAllister]

Me and Seth are wearing the same shirt lol

[@MichaelPari]

went much with the reverb lol

[@StefanH]

Just got a filmriot ad on a filmriot video

[@atechnews3221]

I think Evil Seth is the good Seth and good Seth is the evil one. He did say he's down for anything, he thought it's more work, he thought about the workers, he's not even hungry. He thought about letting good Seth have his choice, and not wanting to bother the workers.

[@brodylewis6928]

1:07 what 😂

[@MrBlessking-]

I'm making short films but I don't have idea how write story and how to shoot. I'm made one short film in my channel without story.. Please give some suggestions. I'm from India..

[@ncrtrooper1782]

Travis Bickle's (Taxi Driver) name was ment to both be romantic and a bit threatening. Travis is a romantic and smooth name, but Bickle sounds like a cowboy, someone masculine and someone to fear. Names are very important.

[@ashwinrajini6418]

Plz add subtitles ..

[@theversacelife5232]

Did Seth and Seth ever decide?

[@Derekivery]

"please keep telling me the rules of ghost" - sorry there is like a 98% chance I'm stealing that line.

[@joshdoesthings7836]

Check out my first short film: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naWsd56qfr6Vgrs Its film noirish

[@kasperstenbom]

Love me some Seth 🤤

[@bluesunset9385]

My parents are evil Seth lol

[@OmegaJazz]

I'm early. for the first time.

[@aXXomaster]

Did he say 75% off the entire store?! 😍