Character Creation · A Guide to Archetypes, Motivation & Emotion for Writers & Actors by Tomlinson, Paul -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Introduction

What is a Character? About This Book Basic Concepts Characters are Not Human Beings Different Levels of Appeal Purpose – Motivation & Goals The Collaborative Nature of Story How It All Fits Together

1 | Inner Conflict

Core Conflict The True Self and Inner Conflict

Development of the True Self

The False Self

Consequences of the False Self Development of the False Self – Basic Anxiety Development of the False Self – Wounding The Ghost and the Curse of the Rubber Ducky

2 | Shadow & Denied Self

The Shadow Self

Projecting the Shadow Fear of Facing the Shadow Benefits of Recognising and Integrating the Shadow

The Denied Self

Animus and Anima

Responding to Conflict – Three Human Behaviours

Attitude and Ruling Passion

Human Needs

3 | The Character Palette

The Three Primary Character Types The Six Archetypes of Character Inner Conflict Want versus Need Stakes and Greatest Fears Crisis

4 | Themes & Values

What is a Theme?

The Moral Argument – Virtue versus Vice Thematic Argument – The Emotional Element Does a Story Need a Theme? Can a Story Have More Than One Theme? How Do You Find Your Story’s Theme? Values – Social Values, Personal Values, and Story Value Values and the Protagonist’s Dilemma Discovering Personal Values Beginning with Theme. Or not Subtext and Developing Theme Theme and Story Ending Proving Your Thematic Argument ‘Universal’ Human Values

5 | Motivation

Different Types of Motivation Biological Needs and Drives Extrinsic Rewards – Payment and Punishment Intrinsic Rewards

‘Flow’ Theory Self-Determination Theory

Psychological Needs

Want versus Need

The Importance of Motivation in Stories The Importance of Goals in Stories How Do You Motivate a Character? The Wants, Needs and Greatest Fears of the Character Archetypes Character Archetypes, Virtues and Vices, and Themes Show Don’t Tell

6 | Character Development Arc

Internal and External Conflict The Flawed Hero Story Character Flaw and Theme The Secret of Success Stages Along the Character Development Arc The Character Development Arc and the Three Acts

Act I – The Flawed Protagonist, the Denied Self and the Defensive Behaviours Act II – Part 1 – The False Self and Immoral/Self-Defeating Behaviours Act II – Part 2 – Descent or Fall from Grace & Overwhelming Odds ACT III – The Climax & Resolution

7 | The Character Archetypes

What Are You Afraid Of?

8 | The Thinker

(1) The Denied Self

Denial of Need Aversion to Change Denial of Emotions & Physical Feelings

(2) Defensive Behaviours and the False Self

The False Self Self-Defeating Behaviour ‘Immoral’ Behaviour

(3) Want versus Need (4) Life Story and Wounding (5) Dominant Attitude & Motivation (6) Greatest Fear & Crisis Potential (7) Contradictions (8) Virtue versus Vice & Story Value (9) Relationships (10) The Shadow – The Paranoid Madman

The Madman Paranoia Splitting / Dissociation

(11) Breakdown – Descent Towards the Shadow

(i) Absent-Minded (ii) Reclusive and Disconnected from Others (iii) Paranoia and Insanity

(12) Character Development Arc – Overcoming Fear and Developing Trust

(i) Overcoming Fear (ii) Developing Trust in Others and in Himself.

9 | The Carer

(1) The Denied Self (2) Defensive Behaviours and the False Self

The False Self Self-Defeating Behaviour ‘Immoral’ Behaviour

(3) Want versus Need (4) Life Story and Wounding (5) Dominant Attitude and Motivation (6) Greatest Fear and Crisis Potential (7) Contradictions (8) Virtue versus Vice and Story Value (9) Relationships (10) The Shadow Carer – The Devouring Mother or Scorned Woman

The Over-Controlling Mother The Scorned Woman

(11) Breakdown – Descent Towards the Shadow

(i) The Self-Sacrificing Martyr (ii) Dependent Victim (iii) The Devouring Mother or Scorned Woman

(12) Character Development Arc

(i) Overcoming Dependence (ii) Developing Assertiveness

10 | The Warrior

(1) The Denied Self (2) Defensive Behaviour and False Self

The False Self ‘Immoral’ Behaviours

The Dictator

(11) Breakdown – Descent Towards the Shadow

(i) The Deceitful Narcissist (ii) Omnipotent Bully (iii) Psychopathic Destroyer

(12) Character Development Arc

(i) Anger Management (ii) Empathy

11 | The Psychopath

(1) Grandiose Sense of Self-Worth (2) Superficial Charm or Glibness (3) Deceitfulness, Insincerity and Lying (4) Callous Disregard for the Feelings of Others (5) Inability to Experience Guilt or Remorse (6) Inability to Maintain Long-Term Relationships and Inability to Experience Love and Other Emotions (7) Irresponsibility and a Disregard for Social Norms, Rules, and Obligations (8) Failure to Accept Responsibility for Their Own Actions (9) Low Tolerance for Boredom / Impulsivity and Recklessness (10) Difficulty in Controlling Behaviour, Particularly the Discharge of Aggression (11) Inability to Profit from Experience, Especially Punishment (12) Failure to Make Long-Term Plans Types of Psychopath Are Psychopaths Insane? Life Story – How Did the Psychopath Get That Way? Breaking the Rules The Psychopath’s Use of Language Psychopaths in Films and Novels Why the Psychopath is Beyond Redemption

12 | The Adventurer

(1) Denied Self (2) Defensive Behaviour and False Self – Cynicism (3) Want versus Need (4) Life Story & Wounding

Lying and Secrecy

(5) Dominant Attitude and Motivation (6) Greatest Fear and Crisis Potential (7) Contradictions (8) Virtue versus Vice and Story Values (9) Relationships (10) The Shadow-Adventurer – The Abuser or Exploiter (11) Breakdown – Descent Towards Shadow

(i) Restless Consumer (ii) Selfish Hedonist (iii) Panic-Stricken Hysteric

(12) Character Development Arc

(i) Overcoming Cynicism (ii) Discovering Purpose

13 | The Artist

(1) Denied Self (2) Defensive Behaviour and False Self

Freedom of Expression A Victim in Need of Rescue

(3) Want versus Need (4) Life Story and Wounding (5) Dominant Attitude and Motivation (6) Greatest Fear and Crisis Potential (7) Contradictions (8) Story Values and Virtue versus Vice (9) Relationships (10) Shadow Self

Self-Destruction and Self-Harm Positive Aspects of the Destroyer

(11) Breakdown – Descent Towards Shadow

(i) Self-Absorbed and Temperamental (ii) Self-Indulgent, Hateful, Alienated & Depressed (iii) Self-Rejecting, Tormented & Self-Destructive

(12) Character Development Arc

(i) Overcoming Envy (ii) Self-Motivation Encouragement and Support

14 | The Crusader

(1) Denied Self (2) Defensive Behaviour and False Self (3) Want versus Need (4) Life Story and Wounding (5) Dominant Attitude and Motivation (6) Greatest Fear and Crisis Potential (7) Contradictions (8) Story Values and Virtue versus Vice (9) Relationships (10) The Shadow-Crusader – The Punisher (11) Breakdown – Descent Towards the Shadow

(i) The Obligated Perfectionist (ii) The Intolerant Misanthrope (iii) The Hypocritical Punisher

(12) Character Development Arc

(i) Overcoming Judgmental Thoughts and Perfectionism (ii) Forgiveness and Reconciliation Self-Forgiveness and Self-Reconciliation

15 | Improvising a Character from Scratch

Attitude Emotion

Positive Emotions of the Six Archetypes Negative Emotions of the Six Archetypes

Physical Traits Animals Expressions Objects Abstract Concepts If at First You Don’t Succeed – Cheat! Where to Next?

16 | Creating a Three-Dimensional Character

Flat Characters versus Round Characters The Advantages of Cardboard Characters

The Difference Between a Flat Character and a Round One

Outside In versus Inside Out

What are the Three Dimensions of Character? Interplay of the Three Dimensions in Character Creation First Impressions and Dominant Impressions

Modification

17 | The Character Profile

Physical Dimension Social Dimension

Home Occupation

Psychological Dimension

Character’s Belief System or Credo

18 | Analysing a Character

First Impression and Dominant Impression

What is the Protagonist’s Attitude Towards Life? Best Behaviour

What Are We Looking For? Looking for Character Clues Clues to Character Within a Story

(a) Genre (b) Theme (c) Situation – Challenge/Problem/Opportunity (d) Setting/Location – Arena and Living Space (e) Stakes (f) Jeopardy (g) Disaster/Crisis (h) Objective – Want versus Need (i) Fear (j) Character Arc (k) Role/Archetype (l) Occupation (m) Conflict/Opposition/Obstacles (n) Primary Characters – Roles and Relationships (o) Secondary Character – Function and Interaction with Primary Characters (p) Dialogue

Keeping Your Character’s Secrets

19 | Portraying Character

How Do We Reveal Character?

Reputation & Rumour First Appearance & First Impressions – Making an Entrance

Appearance

Costume Hair & Make-Up Character Description

Movement

The Psychological Gesture Laban Movement Analysis Inner Attitudes

Voice

Qualities of the Voice Non-Verbal Sounds Accent & Dialect Editing for Voice

Motivation, Goals & Action

Motivation Goals & Objectives

Actions Reaction & Decision

Mistakes, Miscalculations & Mis-Readings Private Moments – Secrets & Doubts

Props Settings Relationships

Cast of Characters

Staying in Character

20 | The Emotions

Emotions versus Feelings Emotions versus Reflexes and Physiological Drives Moods, Dispositions & Emotional Responses Emotion – A Definition Positive and Negative Emotions How Many Emotions Are There? Anger

The Causes of Anger Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Anger Action Response Coping Strategies The Anger Emotion Family

Fear & Anxiety

The Causes of Fear & Anxiety Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Fear & Anxiety Action Response Coping Strategies

Sadness

The Causes of Sadness Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Sadness Action Response The Sadness Emotion Family

Shame & Guilt

The Causes of Shame & Guilt Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Shame & Guilt Action Responses & Coping Strategies The Shame & Guilt Emotion Family

Disgust & Contempt

The Causes of Disgust & Contempt Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Disgust & Contempt Action Response Coping Strategies for Dealing with Contempt The Disgust & Contempt Emotion Family

Envy

The Causes of Envy Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Envy Action Response Coping Strategies The Envy Emotion Family

Jealousy

The Cause of Jealousy Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Jealousy Action Response Coping Strategies The Jealousy Emotion Family

Joy & Happiness

A Good Life Well-Lived – the Philosophy of Happiness Happiness and Subjective Well-Being Positive Psychology The Causes of Joy & Happiness Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Joy & Happiness Action Response The Joy & Happiness Emotion Family

Pride

The Causes of Pride Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Pride Action Response The Pride Emotion Family

Love & Affection

The Causes of Love Essential Factors – The Necessary Conditions for Love & Affection Action Response The Love & Affection Emotion Family

21 | Creating a Cast of Characters

Casting for Function

Primary Characters Secondary Characters & Walk-on Parts

Casting for Contrast Casting for Conflict Which Characters Conflict – and Why? Allies, Confidantes, Co-Protagonists and Best Friends The Ensemble Story How Many Characters? Introducing Your Cast – First Impressions

22 | Tricksters, Rebels & Anti-Heroes

Traditional Heroes & Tragic Heroes The Trickster

Positive – The Function of the Trickster Negative – Agent of Chaos The Trickster in Modern Stories The Trickster in Folklore and Mythology Tricksters and Trickster-Heroes in Context The Appeal of the Trickster Hero

The Byronic Hero

Sympathy for the Devil

The Rebel or Maverick

Functions and Variations of the Rebel Origins of the Rebel hero Marlon Brando Montgomery Clift James Dean Easy Riders

The Antihero

What is an Antihero? Narcissism Psychopathy Machiavellianism The Noir Hero Origins of the Antihero Story Antiheroes of the 1970s The Top Ten Antiheroes

And They All Lived Happily Ever After. Or Not

Summary Chart Appendix 2: The Emotions Appendix 3: Character Profile Form Appendix 4: Values Bibliography Also By Paul Tomlinson

← Prev
Back
Next →

← Prev
Back
Next →