The Filmmaker's Tool Box: Character Design

Hello all. I have decided to sort of take a different direction with my posts. I am going to do a series of posts that lay out how a good film comes about, from a 5 minute Youtube video to a feature length motion picture. While they are all about very different things, all films have a formula that spans topics and genre. This series is not only intended for those who want to make a film and just don't know how to go about it, but also as discussion points for those who are familiar with the subjects. Hopefully, this will cause a dialog between the groups.

First thing I am going to cover is character design. Obviously this is not the first step in making a film necessarily, but it is such a crucial part of the storytelling process. Every film needs amazing characters. However, there is more to it then just coming up with a schnazzy name. Once you have a character in mind there are three things you must consider fully and completely; who is he/she/it in the physical, relational, and psychological sense.

First on the list, though usually not first to be done, is who the character is in the physical sense. In the world you have created, who is he? Is he a badass vampire count? A lowly office worker? Perhaps just a college student trying to make it big? Once you ground his role in the physical world, it should tie into the other whos effortlessly. That is the key to believable characters. Now that he have our character grounded, we need to dress him. This goes into another post I will make about setting. You have to determine how your character is going to look and how the way he looks in relation to the setting and the other characters. Does he mesh or stand out? Is his look practical, ornamental, just whatever is in the closet? All these things must be considered. An important thing to remember is that nothing is put on screen pointlessly. Even the character's threads say something.

Second is the relational. Who is your character socially? Brother? Boss? Homeless guy? Who does he work for? Who does he come home to? Another thing to consider is group dynamics. Usually, the character is not alone. He is part of a group of other characters. What does he bring to the table? Is he a help or a hindrance? Is there anyone in the party he gets along with? Anyone he doesn't? Character chemistry is important, and can help substantially with casting and writing. This can feed into the physical, helping to describe his physical state in his current stage of life. Also, it could go the other way, with his physical station dictating how people think of him and treat him.

Third is psychological. What does your character want? What does he believe? What does he love? Hate? How did he get there? What would he kill for? Die for? This is probably the most important for actors as it assists them in really getting into character. Everyone has motivation. Even the guy who just walks across the screen for a split second. How does what's going on in the story effect him mentally? What are his relationships or lack there of effecting him? How is he going to get what he wants?

I hope this has put some thoughts into your head and that it helps you in the future. I know it's a lot to process, but it is important to hit all three for each character in order to make them three dimensional and memorable. As a filmmaker and a storyteller you must control and create every aspect of your characters. Once you have the reigns on, you can take them wherever you want to go.

Keep Moving Forward

Honestly I really don't have much to say to you guys about film. However, I shall put a post up anyway. This is basically just to prove to myself that posting doesn't take a very long time and that my audience, small as it is, appreciates it. If I am going to be successful I need to be disiplined. I need to keep moving forward (yes I do love Meet the Robinsons). I must not slip back into the old traps that keep me from posting and keep me from advancing, no matter how slowly, as a filmmaker. I give this advice to all you aspiring out there. Keep moving forward. The moment you stop, the world will have passed you by.

Compare and Contrast: Paranorman, Hotel Transylvainia, and the Question of Complexity

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Hello everyone. I am posting again after another long absence. I could attribute it to school or work, but in all honesty it is just laziness. However, lately I have been feeling very Carpe Diem. This is partialy spurred by Bing's new job at Google and by my friend, who is an artist, wants to be a comic artist, and is actually publishing a comic. He is living the dream. Why not I?

So personal stuff aside, it is time for a compare and contrast between the two films I have seen most recently. I realize I have been putting up mostly animated features, but my current schedule has me watching what my family wants to watch and my financial situation is such that I cannot go out and see whatever I like. Still though, both films were in my opinion excellent.

Let's start with compare. Both are family Halloween movies, animated, and deal with young people and the supernatural. They are both fun to watch and have made me laugh. I loved the Scream Cheese.

However, these films stand apart from each other. Mainly this is due to the levels of narrative complexity shown between the two films, moreso then artistic style, caliber of actors, etc. Let's take Hotel Transylvainia. Just by looking at the trailer we can pretty much see the whole entire story. It's a familiar one. Boy meets Girl. They fall for each other. Dad doesn't approve of Boy and drives Him away. Dad realizes his mistake, brings Boy back, happily ever after. Sorry if this is a spoiler for you guys, but if you did not see any of this coming then you are probably reading the wrong blog. The story is predictable. Yet, we must not discount it for not being very complex or pushing any boundries. It was a charming film, one that should be on the family DVD rack and watched on family movie night. The characters were likable and funny, and , of course, Scream Cheese. Oscar material, probably not. But that doesn't make it a bad film.

Paranorman. Oh my God. I went in there assuming that it was going to be fairly predictable, like Hotel Transylvainia. I was wrong. I was very wrong. This film went places that I didn't think a childrens movie would go. If you have seen the movie, you know what I am talking about. If not, watch Paranorman. What I like most about this twist is that you do not see it coming. Not in the trailer, not on the poster, not anywhere. Brave did a similar thing, with most of the plot, heck almost all of it, was kept under wraps. I like this trend. I like being surprised at the movies. Anyway, one other interesting thing is that unlike most kids movies, more or less all the characters in this movie, with the exception of the protagonist, were unlikeable. A bold move, but this is a bold film. Even when they are working together, and even after they have completed the mission, I still didn't find them any more likable. I suppose this is just like real life. While the characters are not likable, they are rather funny. In the end, I am impressed with this film and the risks it took. It was ballsy, but really paid off in the end as far as I go.

Now hopefully I can get more posts out on a regular basis. What the next entry is going to be about, I have no idea. Stay tuned and I will try not to leave you waiting too long.