What Indiana Jones Teaches You About Characters

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In this video I go over what Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark can teach you about characters, characterization, and story flow.
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[@TylerMowery]

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[@shanmukh747]

Hey Tyler, do you read the comments below your videos? If you do, please read my comments. I've put some good suggestions for your videos. I hope you'd consider them.

I think Spielberg did something far more incredible. He works greatly with expactations and reality. He introduces us to this badass hero with no fear and in full control. After that he pulls a rug and shows that this is not actually that kind of hero, but a normal guy that makes mistakes, has nothing under control, can be betrayed and finally has his own fears (snake in the plane). And thats why its so perfect...

[@Chris-lc5vf]

Agreed and it is a smooth subtle transition! Thanks for articulating it so well! Sometimes I feel in newer movies, they'd try to spell it out or overuse modern Marvel style meta quips and jokes like a hammer.

[@dylana.9057]

He humanizes these tropes of characters. Feels very modern to this day

[@Ladondorf]

The point of a character introduction is not simply to show the audience what they do for a living, it's to show us who they are as a person, what their outlook is. To that end, Sallah's introduction is perfect. He is introduced with a drink and his hand, proudly presenting his city to his friends as a "Paradise on Earth", surrounded by his wife and nine kids. It demonstrates he is a jolly man who appreciates life and has found peace. This tells us much more about his character than if he had merely been introduced working at the dig site.

[@ClintReagan]

Nice analysis and presentation. I like the way you broke down the four characters. I'd like to respectfully disagree about Sallah though. "Digger" is just his job and is barely used in the movies. We don't describe Indy as a school teacher. You hit it right on the head when you talk of Indys daring and courage and to read between the lines to sense his sense of honor in seeking to protect lost cultural heritage. I believe Sallahs character is shown exactly as intended by Steven when we first observe Sallah at his home. He is the symbol of what Indy doesn't have in life. Indys life has betrayal in it, danger, broken relationships, lost loves all shown in the first few scenes. Then we meet Sallah the symbol of what Henry is missing out on. Loyalty, family and stability. By introducing Sallah with his wife and kids around him, and relating familiarly with Indy as a friend providing him sweet foods.. it sets the stage well for all of Sallahs many other acts as a loyal friend and support. That trait follows him in all his actions in the films he is in. Digger is a passing moment which doesn't add much meaning to his character. Nor does digger help us to understand Indy as a character more. But Indy compared to what we see in Sallah; Father,Husband, Friend, safe house; each one of these do come back as important contrasts to Indy throughout the series. So to me Sallah is a symbol of loyalty, stability, friendship and family. Things Indy struggles with to varying degrees throughout all the films. Keep up the great sharing!

[@ClintReagan]

Oh look at that farther down in the comments someone had the same thought I just shared about Sallah!

[@gray_mara]

Wonderful explanation! Sallah's ability to dig doesn't make him unique, but his big heart and loving family life open Indy's eyes to what is missing in his own.

[@therealkingofrhye]

This screenwriting video just helped me with planning my novel, too. Different style of storytelling, every bit as relevant. Thanks, Tyler.

[@friendlyone2706]

Besides changes made due to production or time constraints, isn't introducing a character by telling rather then showing also indicative of a character's relative importance?

[@Monsoon41]

Thank you so much, Tyler! As a big Indiana Jones fan (Raiders of the Lost Ark being my all-time favorite movie), my eyes lit up seeing this video! Great stuff as always!!

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

I love these videos where you use well known movies as the examples. I really does help the understanding of the concepts. I agree that Sallah did not get the "character in action" intro that the others did... but I wonder if this was because the director or editor cut out the scene for time, or if the screenplay was written that way. IT seems very odd that all the other characters get this treatment except Sallah.

[@jose11032]

You need more likes! Very educational videos,to the point and well executed in examples. thank you.

[@WeareDayDreamers]

Man, I don't know how you do it, but every video you put out is exactly what I need help with at the time.

[@christopherbucher7017]

I really enjoyed this analysis! I do have a question regarding your analysis of Sallah - what if we looked at it from the perspective that for the story, Sallah's main function isn't digging - it's being a supportive friend to Indy, which arguably is what he's doing when he's introduced. Just a thought :)

[@sdjohnsononyoutube]

He saves him from eating "bad dates." LOL. But, yes, (if his intro were without sound) we see them smiling at each other as they walk over & sit down at a table. Perhaps, you are right. Cool perspective.

[@christopherbucher7017]

@@sdjohnsononyoutube thanks 😊

[@sdjohnsononyoutube]

@@christopherbucher7017 you're most welcome 🙂

[@swright5081]

Love this topic! Very helpful. And GREAT fun! But I think I disagree with Sallah not being introduced well. He is a family man with a ton of kids and a wife. He takes care of them like a good 1930s patriarch should. He also happens to be the best digger, who oversees huge crews. Sallah can't tell the Nazi's no, because it will negatively affect his ability to care for his family AND his workers, who rely on that work to take care of their own families. Using the criteria that we introduce characters at their most characterized, and in action, then being served refreshments at a table in his home, with his family around him, perhaps accentuates a huge contrast to Indy, who is alone and 'unfamilied'. Because Indy meets him at Sallah's table, it also could imply that Sallah accepts and welcomes Indy into his family? Sallah is the only character whose introduction emphasizes family and belonging.

[@swright5081]

Lol. But maybe I don't quite remember if they are at home or in a restaurant now that I think about it. But I still feel like he is the character who represents family and belonging.

[@guilherme8829]

Great video. Thanks! Now many character introductions make sense, I always thought they were random.

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you for the analysis.

[@TylerMowery]

Thank you for watching!

[@multifantv1245]

This is a very interesting video about exposition because to your point it is much more memorable to meet characters through action and not through dialogue because I didn’t even know they Sallah was the greatest digger in all of Egypt because it was explained through dialogue and not shown through action

[@mohammaddehbashi4624]

What a Great Note on introducing the characters!

[@sucessmantra5048]

🎯I am learning these valueable content from India ❤️❤️❤️ Thank for helping us

[@carlosalbertolealrodriguez5529]

Thanks, this will help me to write my comic books.

[@CulturesInterlude]

I just got a story idea for a who done it mystery. Do you plan to make a video about the mystery genre anytime soon? I love the way you break down the craft of screenwriting, and I would love it if you made a video breaking down the mystery genre.

[@simonoosthuizen184]

Thank you for another brilliant video! Always excited to see a notification that you've posted!

[@dirapropa]

Brother, your explaining is so well. Keep it up & thanks for making such videos!

[@shanmukh747]

Hey Tyler, I've been meaning to ask this for a long time. Can you Integrate the Dan Harmon's Story Circle with 3-Act Story Structure (Syd Field's Paradigm), Joseph Campbell's Monomyth, Save the Cat & Freytag's Pyramid. How they are the same and how the plot of a story matches up to all the above plot structures, with example of course. It doesn't have to be 100% acurate. Also focus on the plot points, pinch points, midpoint... how they work on all the above plot structures. When you talk about story beats, can you explain the meaning/purpose behind each story beat? How they're important to the characters & the story. I hope you'd consider my request.

[@reyrio6034]

I am too very interested in Dan harmonds work

[@shanmukh747]

I edited my comment. Added Joseph Campbell's Monomyth as well. Hope he considers making a video on the suggested list.

[@user-mk5xm9fp6w]

I really wish that I could find this channel before writing my first script now I am only thinking of how to edit the script and it's hard

[@georgeofhamilton]

The way you hold that microphone in a studio that you have complete control over is kinda funny.

[@sarasvathip68]

Please please please please please please please put screenplay analysis of aaranya kaandam indian masterpiece

[@SuryaSurya-vd8kz]

The Problem is Aaranya kaandam isn't available in good quality anywhere otherthan sp.Charan's House

[@sarasvathip68]

@@SuryaSurya-vd8kz In amazon prime its quality is fine

[@HyarionCelenar]

Would you consider doing a video about how script writing intersects with RPG adventure design? Love the content, keep up the great work!

[@pablorodriguez6266]

You should do a video on story symbols and how to do them right.

[@shanmukh747]

Hey Tyler, You talked a lot about Dan Harmon's Story Circle on your channel. Is there something called symmetry in each section of the Story Circle? Like how Points 1,2,3 & 4 are symmetrical to Points 5,6,7 & 8 resp.. Can you elaborate on the idea of symmetry in the Story Circle? (With Example) Like how each section of the story contrasts or foreshadows the opposite section. And how to apply that in our writing practice. I hope you'd consider my request.

[@knightsabre7]

This is a great video about the Story Circle, if you haven't seen it already. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqanY3SXZd95n6M

[@shanmukh747]

@@knightsabre7 Thank you 👍. But, I have already seen it.

[@arjun67444]

Do MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, ETHAN HUNT .

[@lisaverse]

Sallah is introduced while in the midst of his family because his skills as a digger are not as consequential to the plot as his loyalty to the people he cares about. Defining him by the action of digging simply because it gives him access to the dig site would be a disservice to his character.

[@mahnushare4887]

Good video !! Thanks

[@valentinlongarela2983]

You should make a video around REAR WINDOW

[@Miniweet9167]

Seeing Salah dig would have been useless and would have slowed the pace of the film. Now we know in 2.5 seconds flat who Salah is and we move on to the core of his purpose. As an editor, I’m convinced it was said off screen specifically to tighten up.

[@gaznawiali]

Tyler could you do a video comparing save the cat and story circle?

[@theTMan737]

😊

[@YouGuessIGuess]

I disagree with your assertion that showing Sallah digging would have been better. We see Sallah in action--he's a friendly, hospitable guy surrounded by family. That's action and characterization. It helps humanize him and give him another layer besides "guy who digs and helps Indy." We already get plenty of that later in the film. Also, the casual conversational tone of the scene gives us a break from the big action scene that just happened and allows us to see Indy and Marion in a more relaxed light. While I agree with the general principle of your argument, I also think that Sallah's introduction is perfect the way it is.

[@diveinto9630]

Make a video on characters from Indian movie RRR

[@claudeyaz]

But doesn't introducing sola In the dialog scene instead of showing, doesn't that tell us more about the character cause it says hes not just a Good digger, hes so good a digger but not only are the nazis forcing him to work, good even doctor Jones knows about his identity in reputation. What's the difference between that and the John wick pencil Baba yeah got seen?

[@claudeyaz]

Excuse my misspells and stuff, I'm using text to speech and this version is awful, it is hard for me to see my words

[@jameswumbosr.7264]

I’m back, sweetie!

[@donj2222]

I like these insights for a normal movie, but for a mystery you want things to be mysterious and puzzling; and it is normally totally unfair to bring in the killer like a deus ex machina during the reveal of the solution when you know nothing about them.

[@behanflaherty9460]

Do you have to meet the protagonists first?

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

There are multiple movies that stand as examples where they have an opening scene that doesn't star the protagonist. The Dark Knight, O Brother Where Art Thou, Fargo, Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers, No Country For Old Men, Burn After Reading, A Serious Man, Zodiac, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

[@KrevalHawk]

Dude just told us how to make a classic better.

[@jinks908]

Showing a scene of Sallah leading a dig site under order of the Nazi's does not show that he is the best digger in Egypt, nor does it show that the Nazis "hired" him _because_ he is the best. Instead, it's an unnecessary scene that makes us actually have to piece things together for a bit of info that's simply not integral to the story. Indy covers all of this in less than 3 seconds, and now the audience knows who he is. If films "showed" every piece of exposition in a story, they would be 6 hours long.

[@gao1812]

I heartily DISAGREE with this. It is not possible nor desirable to introduce every single character with what is called a 'Singular Moment' (A moment that capture's that character's essence), and that is due to several factors including the character's relative importance, because it gets repetitive, the time/place in the plot don't always make it plausible/effective to SHOW instead of TELL. There are also instances where the character's true self must NOT be revealed until later (as in whodunnit stories). Also, there are SEVERAL techniques to introduce characters, some of which work better on certain instances and are used for a different effect. Characters may be intentionally introduced early to raise questions and make audience think about the plot and how those characters fit in, it is a solid technique to keep audience invested. Not everything has to make sense immediately. And there are countless other examples as to why this advice is, at best, stupid.

[@davetaylor2088]

In this case I actually disagree with your assessment of the character of Sallah. In this and the other movies he appears in, Sallah is Indy's friend and someone he trusts, being a digger is just an explanation for how they met, it's backstory. At least that's how I see it. That said, the value of one's assessment may be considered as being in direct proportion to the magnitude of one's body of work, and I haven't even finished a screenplay or book yet...

[@figuerofilms4424]

sallah is a whattt?!!!

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

The best digger in Egypt

[@TylerMowery]

Lmao

[@TheStoryGeeks]

Excellent video, Tyler. I JUST RELEASED a video documenting what makes Indy one of the greatest characters of all time (#2 on AFI’s Heroes list!). Lemme know if you want to jump on a podcast with me to break down Indy’s character arc! 🙌🏽

[@CasterMedicus]

Movies do this so often: They have 2 characters sit down and talk about something in their past and it is so boring.

[@brandonjanicki1601]

We actually meet Major Toht on the plane first and not in the bar. All we really get for him is a sinister little musical cue and nothing else. Also I liked how you called him the German interogator because he is such a forgetable character. He really isn't a great character at all to use as an example. Indy, Marion and Belloq yes. Toht, no.

[@Roper122]

No we don't. That's not Toht on the plane ( it's actually Dennis Muren ) And yeah I knew his name and he's not forgettable.

[@PeterMacansky]

[@juju10683]

Can you really say “Digger” with a hard “R”?

[@vagabondcaleb8915]

The other person in the drinking game was a woman. Wow, dude.

[@theTMan737]

😊