Unforgettable Character Introductions
By Hal Croasmun
Let's be blunt for a second: If your lead characters don't engage a reader, your script will be turned down. So it is very important that the top three characters have great introductions.
I can't tell you how many times a lead character is introduced in a bland way -- often through "talking-heads" scenes that do little to make the character memorable.
My advice: Make those character introductions as interesting as you can by putting your character into action right away.
To do that, we'll use a simple "action/insight" format on characters from five movies.

SCHINDLER'S LIST
In"Schindler's List," Oskar Schindler's introduction shows his ability to schmooze with SS officers. While that scene did a variety of things, it also introduced Schindler through action that provided insight into his character.
ACTION: Schindler schmoozes SS officers.
INSIGHT: This man is a wheeler-dealer / war-time profiteer who has no fear of the SS.
The action is important because it provides something visual that is interesting to watch on the screen. But the insight is far more important -- we need to experience something deep about this character during our first meeting that will have us want to follow them throughout the story.
As you look at the examples below, think about your own character introductions and how you might improve them.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
They introduce Amir through two sets of actions simultaneously -- being on the show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" and being tortured at the police station because they believe he is cheating.
Both situations show him as a stubborn young man who will do anything to remain on this show. Later, we discover that it is not for the money. He wants to remain on the show as long as possible so the woman he loves might see him. They had been separated at a foster home.
ACTION: Refuses to give up being a contestant on TV game show while being tortured.
INSIGHT: We get the character's stubbornness, his absolute commitment to remaining on this show, which is a hook -- who would go through torture just to remain on a show when he could take the money and live a good life? That hook delivers a lot of character insight later on.

See "AS GOOD AS IT GETS", "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN" , and "THE DARK KNIGHT" here!

http://www.screenwritingu.com/screenwriting-articles/36-general-articles/66-unforgettable-character-introductions