Choosing Characters

So, who are the characters and what are their specific duties in this cinematic journey? Well, the most basic character "types" that make up a screenplay (or any other decent storyline for that matter) are the Protagonist and the Antagonist. Good versus evil. That's all you really need but if you want to kick it up a notch, you'll add allies, minions, and a variety of other character types to further the storyline and make it more palatable.

The Protagonist is the "good guy/gal". For the most part, this is whom the story is about. It is the Protagonist who sets out to reach a goal, makes the journey against all odds and, in the end, either achieves the goal or achieves something better. Basic, but audiences want to see this....ONLY if the Protagonist is someone they can relate to and care about. If not, the film tanks and evil has a new fan club. So, it is crucial to create a great three dimensional Protagonist. (see Building your character)

Those who help the Protagonist reach his or her goal are known as allies. They can be sidekicks...or anyone who helps the Protagonist reach the elusive goal. Allies tend to be moral compasses, cheerleaders, bullet-takers or anyone else who furthers the cause.

The Antagonist is the "bad guy/gal/thing". The Antagonist can be anyone or anything that stands in the way of the Protagonist reaching his or her goal. Interesting Antagonists are one who are initially perceived as good but ulterior motives eventually shed light on their agendas. Now, it is important to note that not all antagonists are "evil" per se, just perceived that way by the Protagonist, because said "evil" stands in the way of the Protagonist's goal. An example would be the shark in Jaws. It's an instinctual animal. The big fish wasn't necessarily heinous, but hungry. A huge asteroid approaching earth does not have a malicious, well-thought out plan. Also, the Antagonist may even be a psychological element within the Protagonist that he or she must face. In Cast Away, Chuck Noland must constantly battle loneliness and emotional desolation on the island.

Those who help the Antagonist in keeping the Protagonist from his/her goal are known as minions (or thugs). These "agents of malevolence" are usually clever but expendable in the Antagonist's eyes.