The Secret to a Great Character - How to Write Character Motivation

[@TedsWorld101]

I don’t think I’ve ever come across the channel with such an overwhelming support from its audience. KZbin is made with channels. Channels are made with videos. Videos are made with heart. Studio binder definitely has heart.

[@tigqc]

Every time I see these I'm reinvigorated by my love of the craft.

[@Allenmarshall]

Here here

[@StudioBinder]

That warms our heart to hear!

[@robertelric8211]

I'm compelled to agree.

[@jamqween11]

Every time I'm working on a particular aspect of my script, StudioBinder arrives with the exact video I need at the right time! This channel is a gem.

[@StudioBinder]

We're here to help!

[@SaurianStudios1207]

Studio Binder is incredibly good at editing and composing videos together, not just on filmmaking but also on educating people on various filmmaking and storytelling techniques. Learning what characters are motivated by greatly informs me of their psychological state, and the context of said motivation. For example, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars A new hope was hesitant about being a Jedi or learning about the force because of his responsibilities at home. It was only after Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen’s deaths by the empire that he decided, he wanted to become a Jedi knight, and to learn about the force by Obi Wan. This shows Luke’s realization that he doesn’t belong in the desert planet of Tattoonie, and that he is part of something much larger than himself (as foreshadowed in the twin sunset scene). Another example would be Louis Bloom in Nightcrawler when he wanted to have a job as a crime journalist and videographer for the news company he worked, not only to earn money, but to become extremely competitive in the world of tv news and documenting real events. He likely did out of his psychopathic tendencies and innate drive to survive like a coyote surviving for his next meal. It tells me that the filmmakers dived deep into the character state of mind, researching a lot about the characters motives, and how we could understand the most basic needs of what motivated us, to the most desired wants, whether we know them or not.

[@StudioBinder]

Great examples and thanks for the kind words!

[@roughroughmagicx]

I literally found your channel today and I have been binge watching all day ❤😮😮 and I am not even a filmmaker, just a film enthusiast! I can’t get over how good your content it. Thank you so much for all these videos - absolutely fantastic

[@stephenwilliams3807]

The unknowable character whose motivation is revealed at the end works well. A classic example is Charles Bronson's character, Harmonica, in Once Upon a Time in the West. The final shoot out with Henry Fonda and reveal is magnificent. It ties everything in, even the harmonica itself.

[@Biscuits..]

I just started writing my script (in studio binder!) yesterday but was stumped on the character motivation. This was such an incredible video to wake up to.

[@StudioBinder]

Perfect timing!

[@SilverXT]

I was so unsure what to do with my novella but this got me to remember what the motivation was. Thanks!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to hear it!

[@geoffhead111]

much likes, this channel is really helping my scripting arc.

[@solertia33]

This video’s got me thinking about my own life choices. 😮

[@StudioBinder]

Same!

[@Ilov534]

Love this channel so much. thank you guys for making these videos

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@andreaoliva3609]

Adore this channels’ videos! Keep up the great work 👏👏👏

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you, we'll do our best!

[@yrasheddc]

Never thought I'd see Freddy Got Fingered on a screenwriting essay but here we are

[@StudioBinder]

We were just as surprised as you!

[@Plokumfup]

In fact, Maslow never actually created a pyramid to represent the hierarchy of needs. Maslow emphasized that we are always in a state of becoming and that one’s “inner core” consists merely of “potentialities, not final actualizations” that are “weak, subtle, and delicate, very easily drowned out by learning, by cultural expectations, by fear, by disapproval, etc.,” and which can all too easily become forgotten, neglected, unused, overlooked, unverbalized, or suppressed. Maslow made it clear that human maturation is an ongoing process and that growth is “not a sudden, saltatory phenomenon” but is often two steps forward and one step back. Life isn’t a trek up a summit. It’s more like a vast ocean, full of new opportunities for meaning and discovery but also danger and uncertainty. In this choppy surf, a pyramid is of little use.

[@StudioBinder]

Thank you for that feedback!

[@philcollinslover56705]

wonderful

[@Allenmarshall]

Another great one! Thanks StudioBinder.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@artextasiaportugal1451]

Such a good series for actors to learn!

[@StudioBinder]

Actors, writers, directors, any storyteller can hopefully take something from these ideas.

[@Korcsmaros]

I'm a bit sad they didn't dwell more into The Last Crusade. In all the other Indiana Jones movies, Indy's motivation is to stop the bad guys from succeeding. In The Last Crusade, Indy's motivation is to gain his Father's attention & respect - making that movie the best of the franchise.

[@cacomartin]

Another amazing master class! Thanks!

[@StudioBinder]

Our pleasure!

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

It's a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about How to write Character Motivation. Always Inspiring to learn from you StudioBinder. Thousand Thanks for making this Inspiring video. Keep going. Best Continuation to come for you StudioBinder.

[@StudioBinder]

Many many thanks!

[@abendspiele]

Where's old guy? D:

[@abakahcoffie]

I had to check the channel name twice

[@r-kan]

Wasn't he AI?

[@ArvinCastro]

​@@r-kanReal guy. Paul Gregory kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3LGZKOdqd50iKssi=9E5CEZH7bl5k7NY3

[@juandediosreyes8526]

He does sound like an old guy. How old is he?

[@XaviSanrat]

They record the videos interchangeably, chill out.

[@joshingaround2699]

It's not like we don't like young guy, old guy's just like family to us at this point

[@StudioBinder]

That's a great example.

[@shanash143]

Best channel ❤

[@WebAddicted-x7y]

Love from India ❤

[@StudioBinder]

❤

[@shannonhepperlin486]

Can you do one on copyright and attaining the rights to music and book adaptation

[@joaquinhernandez6940]

Agreed. The Alex Saks interview from StudioBinder Academy only scratches the surface of the subject.

[@TeddyRumble]

Copyright is created when one creates a work of creation. In order to prevail in court, one must file with the US Copyright office. Music clearance is complicated, and often ridiculously expensive. I will share a tip. I actually got permission for an song by a musician who everyone has heard of, by contacting his manager. For free.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@PreviouslyDelicious]

This is one of the most ad heavy videos I think I've ever seen on writing...

[@dertomh]

Thanks for this amazing video. Loved it as always! As you often ask for new ideas - I would love to see a video on film dialogue. How do I write dialogue that doesn't feel forced or unnatural? Would be great if you covered that.

[@StudioBinder]

We've got something coming soon!

[@YoutubeUser_You]

We are what we do, not what we think.

[@prathameshrana2099]

Can you please make a detailed video on what is the difference between plot and outline and story structure.

[@maheshVD9186]

thank you

[@StudioBinder]

You're welcome!

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Best opening to a video yet! 😂 Thanks for doing more on writing, it's encouraging me to get back to my novel. Technically it's finished, but I'm too nervous to try to get it published (too attached to it as it's the first one). I have 3 others on the go at the same time, each of different genres, so I can write whatever my mood. In theory. Romance (sort of. Not soppy), sci-fi & fantasy. The latter has already been broken into two parts - so far. What is it about fantasy that requires a trilogy!? 😄 Anyway, many thanks for these awesome videos. I can't explain how helpful they are!

[@StudioBinder]

Glad to hear it and best of luck getting those things finished!

[@cory_aqua]

@@y_fam_goeglyd interesting you are writing others, I thought it was odd I’m writing two stories in parallel depending on mood. Haven’t decided it’s finished 😅

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks!

[@KingCorbs]

"We did it" "We did it buddy"

[@StudioBinder]

❤

[@KingCorbs]

Why does everyone hate this guy? sure his voice may not be as eloquent as the other guy, but the reason I watch these videos is because I want to learn about how to make *better* films, from their teaching, (I've learned so much from this channel, from both this guy and the other guy) that's why I clicked on the video, to learn about: *CHARACTER MOTIVATION* not because of who was narrating it... In summary: *"you shouldn't want to watch these videos because WHO is narrating, but you should watch it because the WISDOM the guy narrating is giving,..."*

[@daphnestemmet4720]

The old dude was funnier. This is like being in school. What is being said is very interesting, but someone with ADHD is bound to be distracted. Like I am being distracted and checking the comments right now

[@StudioBinder]

We agree! Thanks for this comment.

[@ebbyc1817]

@@daphnestemmet4720 omg I read your description exactly as I was doing it, for exactly the reason you describe, lol. Clicked, heard the voice, scrolled down without even thinking,...normally I don't even look at the comments.

[@ebbyc1817]

_that's like saying what do you watch a movie for, for the *stoooory* , or the person *acting* it. :-D I mean, c'mmon. Why even bother making it visual, it's just the _wisdom_ right? Why do all that fancy editing, using clips and screenshots to say things rather than just narrating the lines.

[@HussainMohd-s3h]

How to build or write black comedy (satirical dramas) ,what could be the potential motives or where to start.. For instance in "Triangle of sadness" movie the film explores the Dangers of power and class.

[@StudioBinder]

Check out our video on satire: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foWohouroah9kLssi=sGjt9y-MBPDoNQ4K

[@NMM-lo1qy]

how do you know if your characters' motivations are strong enough to carry a narrative - or even remotely plausible?

[@StudioBinder]

That's a tough question. If you start outlining, put some obstacles in their way and see if your can naturally overcome them and still want to push on.

[@NMM-lo1qy]

@@StudioBinder thank you very much for the response. my gratitude is beyond words, and the value of your resources is just as immense.✌🏾

[@MwayiComfort]

Please one day tell us how u get the rights to the movies u cover on the page

[@KusacUK]

Not sure they need to, I would think this would be fair use.

[@StudioBinder]

Yeah, it's all fair use.

[@manosmehedee]

wonderful and helpful video about motivation....

[@crystalplanet09]

The Room with great actors…. I wonder how the scenes would have played.. ofcourse a director like fincher maybe but keep the material/dialogue the same.

[@Shindai]

15:55 what's that clip from?

[@StudioBinder]

Hellboy

[@rajv9732]

how do you feel now that joker 2 has bombed hard

[@brycemurrin5130]

Just wait till these guys get a load of LSM

[@StudioBinder]

What's that?

[@mrkylescott]

Was that Matthew Broderick in the cable guy?

[@brandonscullion]

Election

[@StudioBinder]

That's it!

[@hoyttle]

Great video but I disagree with your analysis of Synechdocy New York. It's not ambiguous at all. You say it may or may not be fulfilled, but (SPOILERS) ... with his dying breath, he is still workshopping a title name. It is unfinished by definition in that he dies before he can utter the words. Love your videos!

[@StudioBinder]

That's a valid point!

[@007_talks]

Ur channel tries to keep the filmaker in me alive.. eventhough i killed him long long agoooo.... 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@StudioBinder]

We will not give up on you! ❤

[@erikbihari3625]

"Virus from the outside world"? Thought the only concern that movie have was only this little shape shifting alien! Any logical human see enough for.

[@katthivishnu5990]

3rd 😊

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for playing!

[@cl4364]

So, each serial killer in movies IS looking for self-actualisation

[@StudioBinder]

Maybe 😉

[@CosmosDev-q4s]

It's probably my 10th time A video on acting and direction done by the same person

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion! It's on the list.

[@Logically_Fallacious]

I was wondering if you guys would ever review a professional politician's acting skills, because maybe not everyone knows, but most ppl know politics _is acting for ugly ppl._ I actually would be interested in a series where you analyze this (not the movie)... because until I learned the Latin Trivium, I didn't realize how directly and shamelessly they try to mislead, misdirect and obfuscate. You did a video on something like the Latin Trivium with Logic and Rhetoric, but I think the killer app would be real life breakdowns. "Movie Acting and Actors, but In Real Life" When I learned the logical fallacies and rhetoric weapons used on us as plebs, all of a sudden their malfeasance and malevolence became transparent... it became almost exactly like living in the movie, _They Live_ (1988) but with the sunglasses on. Even if you tried this on a separate channel for safety's sake. I would be very interested in professionals that know all the tricks of the trade, show how they play the public as fools.

[@StudioBinder]

Interesting idea but we did cover rhetoric techniques here that politicians use all the time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGeri51_n958obMsi=zhdm4eadHUdPeovF

[@lemondiee]

Second 😅

[@StudioBinder]

Better luck next time! 😉

[@cory_aqua]

Sound is everything including the original Studio Binder voice. Please bring him back or Daniel Craig.

[@StudioBinder]

Craig isn't returning our calls!

[@cory_aqua]

@@StudioBinder no cell service in the Gara Medouar Crater 😅

[@catnipjunkie717]

StudioBinder, you rascal, you've done it again.

[@StudioBinder]

We had to!

[@chrisaguilera1564]

What if you're writing a character at the center of the story who is an insufferable boor? No one likes these guys but they're not really a villain type because they don't realize how hated they are. Are these characters difficult to write about because they can't be taken seriously and are mostly just maligned to comic tropes?

[@StudioBinder]

Yeah, that sounds like a challenge. They need some redeeming quality for us to get behind them so as long as you have that, you'll be fine.

[@wilfredinah7470]

Please can you talk about atlanta, 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@StudioBinder]

It's an amazing show! We just might have to.

[@amirou-lu6or]

iunder 10 minute gang🗣

[@StudioBinder]

Skills!

[@SuSTR7]

STOP CHANGING THE NARRATOR

[@RadRoachHD-wl5bc]

Chill or pay them

[@r.a.mpictures]

The information provided is the only important thing in this video, so stop moaning!

[@StudioBinder]

We currently have two voice over artists and we switch back and forth but we appreciate the feedback!

[@SuSTR7]

@@StudioBinder well, no matter who the narrator is, your videos are always great. Thank you

[@conan2766]

There is also a possibility that you didn’t talk about : the character gets what he wants and he realises it’s not what he thought.

[@StudioBinder]

That's true but we did cover that more specifically in our "4 Endings" series: kzbin.info/aero/PLEzQZpmbzckXbUG2PiEJ5ic8NgIaWe1se&si=yEQ6vfxAO4UPrLBj

[@sayyedzafar8200]

Create an video on Indian director lokesh kanagaraj, director of all lokeshverse movies

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@erikbihari3625]

Ruin Johnson and Jar Jar Abrams should check this out, see what they're missing! Right people?

[@griglybearelite4886]

Idk I liked ep 8 rey

[@erikbihari3625]

@@griglybearelite4886. Get out here!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@erikbihari3625]

@@StudioBinder. With pleasure!

[@sangvi2849]

What are the differences between motivation and goal? In finding nemo what is the motivation, what is the goal of nemo's father

[@randomrey002]

Almost First

[@StudioBinder]

Nice try!

[@XRaym]

02:59 I'm highly surprised to see maslow pyramid in a channel so rigourous, as it is bar far an absolete model in behavior psychology, non scientific. See cricticism about this model on wiki etc.

[@StudioBinder]

For our purposes, Maslow was just a jumping off point to get you thinking about what drives these characters. We appreciate the feedback and any counterarguments so keep 'em coming!

[@XRaym]

@@StudioBinder Thx for aknowledging this! If you come up on this subject with a more accurate model at some point, it could be a very informative video and prism of analysis :P Cheers !

[@gregorylagrange]

Video suddenly became about irony when Juno became pregnant.

[@justmouche]

Yall gotta pay the other mane bruh it’s not the same

[@StudioBinder]

We rotate them regularly so he'll be back...like the Terminator!

[@TheXmanofficial00]

We want old guy...

[@StudioBinder]

He didn't go anywhere. Stay tuned.

[@Kincreative27]

Second

[@StudioBinder]

Silver medal ain't bad!

[@skysedgeproductions6170]

1. Money 2. Sex

[@StudioBinder]

You're not wrong.

[@GokulKrishnan-v5f]

First

[@GokulKrishnan-v5f]

First

[@StudioBinder]

🏅