Screenwriting Course
Lessons

Give Your Protagonist a Defining Entrance Give your character a distinctive introduction that speaks to who they are, establishes a distinctive factor about them. Oftentimes what you think of a person for many years comes only after a first impression. Thus, you should never, ever miss an opportunity to make a first impression of a character, to give him/her a telling introduction. Create a first impression to play into or play against.

Before You Start Writing Put a lot of effort into your protagonist. Delve into the history and key life moments, really find the building blocks that have made him or her what they are today…how that history manifests in your protagonist’s world view…personal quirks…unique mannerisms, habits, or pastimes. What you think of a person for many years comes only after a first impression.

Lajos Egri’s Character Breakdown:

Physiology

• Gender
• Age
• Height
• Weight
• Color of Hair
• Color of Eyes
• Skin
• Posture
• Appearance
• Neatness
• Health
• Birthmarks
• Abnormalities
• Heredity

Psychology

• Sex life
• Morality
• Ambitions
• Frustrations
• Temperment
• Attitude
• Complexes
• Superstitions
• Imagination

Sociology

• Class
• Occupation
• Education
• Home Life
• Upbringing
• Relationship with parents
• Relationship with sibliings
• Religion
• Community’s perception
• Political affilations
• Amusements

Delve into the history and key life moments of the protagonist, really find the building blocks that have made him or her what they are today…how that history manifests in your protagonist’s world view…personal quirks…unique mannerisms, habits, or pastimes. What you think of a person for many years comes only after a first impression.