How to Write a Character Arc - "Positive Change" Character Arcs Explained
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- How to write a character arc (specifically a positive change arc) based on "Creating Character Arcs" by KM Weiland.
Download FREE "Endings & Arcs" Worksheet ►► bit.ly/bs-end
K.M. Weiland's Creating Character Arcs ►► bit.ly/weilandarcs
This video contains spoilers!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro - The Four Endings in Every Film
00:32 Protagonist "Wants & Needs"
02:45 Overview - The Semi-Sweet Ending
03:54 Introducing Charlie Babbitt
05:01 What is a Character's "Ghost?"
08:18 The "Impact Character" Explained
08:42 Charlie's Need
12:35 Charlie Achieves His Need
13:45 Charlie Establishes a New Want
14:47 Charlie Sacrifices His Want
15:40 Get Your FREE Screenwriting Worksheet
How to write a character arc - this is a topic in screenwriting that is endlessly pursued and desperately necessary. Almost all characters in almost all stories change in some way, and this is what we mean by “what is a character arc.” No matter their personality or backstory, which can be specific and unique, there are fundamental and universal ways that all characters change. And when you understand these mechanics of character arcs, actually writing character arcs can become an intuitive as well as creative process.
In this video essay on screenwriting techniques, we look specifically at the 1986 Oscar-winning screenplay for Rain Man and how the positive change character arc is masterfully executed. As part of our on-going series on The 4 Ways to End a Film, this third chapter focuses on character arcs - how they are created and how they evolve during the narrative. We’ll also cover how “want vs need” is employed to inform and balance the character arc from start to finish.
Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a character ripe for positive change. We first meet him as a shady importer of foreign cars, up to his neck in debt, and a serial liar. When news of his father’s death reaches him, all Charlie wants is his inheritance. Unfortunately, the entire inheritance has been bestowed upon a trustee, a Charlie’s heretofore unknown brother, Raymond. Charlie essentially kidnaps Raymond in an attempt to gain custody of him - not because he wants to care for his brother but so he can gain access to the inheritance. On their road trip back to California, Charlie learns valuable lessons about his past, his family, and reconnects with Raymond in ways that change him inside and out.
In her book, Creating Character Arcs, KM Weiland gives us a few key screenwriting techniques that we can apply to our analysis of Rain Man. First, we have what she calls the “Character’s Ghost,” which is that element in their past that haunts them. For Charlie, it’s his sour and unresolved relationship with his father. To break through his character arc, Charlie must confront and eradicate that ghost.
Another key to writing character arcs is something Weiland calls the “Impact Character.” This is someone that “slams into your protagonist, catalyzes him into change, and has a major impact on his life.” Obviously, Raymond is Charlie’s impact character and pushes him through his character arc - without even trying.
Charlie’s character arc saw him transform from selfish to selfless, while resolving some deep-seated anger. Charlie gave up his “want” (the money) when he found his “need” (internal resolution) and this makes Rain Man such a great example of how to write a character arc.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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Songs Used:
"Haute Couture" - Nu Alkemi$t
Untitled Chimes
"Share My Life With Him" - Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna / Onward OST
"Dad" - Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna / Onward OST
"Silent Arithmetic" - Hill
"Soundtrack/Movie Trailer" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"Switchback (Instrumental)" - Nu Alkemi$t
"Iko Iko" - Dixie Cups
"Drive From The Country" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"She's Got You High" - Mumm-Ra
"Tippin Vol. 2" - xJWill
"Putting Ray To Bed" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"Las Vegas" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"At Last" - Etta James
"Smoke Alarm" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"My Main Man" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" - The Rolling Stones
Music by Artlist ► utm.io/umJx
Music by Artgrid ► utm.io/umJy
Music by Soundstripe ► bit.ly/2IXwomF
Music by Music Vine ► bit.ly/2IUE0pT
Music by MusicBed ► bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq
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Download FREE "Endings & Arcs" Worksheet ►► bit.ly/bs-end
Chapters:
00:00 Intro - The Four Endings in Every Film
00:32 Protagonist "Wants & Needs"
02:45 Overview - The Semi-Sweet Ending
03:54 Introducing Charlie Babbitt
05:01 What is a Character's "Ghost?"
08:18 The "Impact Character" Explained
08:42 Charlie's Need
12:35 Charlie Achieves His Need
13:45 Charlie Establishes a New Want
14:47 Charlie Sacrifices His Want
15:40 Get Your FREE Screenwriting Worksheet
Just don't close this channel till my dead
Basic Instinct 1992
You Can't Always Get What You Want is sooooo Perfect at the end.
Hard truths :')
How can u ignore ur dream of being filmmaker after watchin such an awesome guidance.
Thank u guys!!!
Seconded here. Studiobinder is such a great tool for aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers.
Happy filming!
due to my mental breakdown
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Kudos and appreciation
Hello Shukhrat! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
What I really love about your channel and website is that you don't condescend to your audience. You treat us with the assumption that we are intelligent. I truly appreciate that. Keep up the great work.
We have high expectations for our audience :)
Cars 1 is an example of semi-sweet ending right? Mcqueen can't win the Piston Cup, but he finds real friends.
Correct!
@@StudioBinder can just imagine that beatiful british voice answering the comment
I think cars 3 is
Puss In Boots 2 - The Last Wish, is a great example of this ending. Puss in Boots, Goldi, and Kitty Softpaws, none of them get what they wished. However, they do realize and achieve what they need. Puss learns to value his last life, Goldi sees that she had a great family all along, and Softpaws finally open her heart to others, and falls in love with Puss again. 😺⭐⚔
You know, as a writer working on a novel, these are still very helpful.
I'm an author too and yes these are very helpful in writing characters and building stories.
I have some things to say:
- I am also autistic in some way; therefore, "Rain Man' is one of my favorite films where I actually empathize with the characters
- With the Oscars coming up, I truly am looking forward to who wins in the categories they were nominated in
- The music, editing, animations, and diagrams (the entire mise-en-scene) of these videos truly are the fuel to the filmmakers inside of us. :-)
I am inspired by your already-fuelled inspiration for filmmaking. And to know Studiobinder is a great tool for filmmakers like us, brings such warmth to my heart. 😊
Great to hear our vids have helped you!
This just makes me wanna rewatch Rain Man again. What a fantastic movie. Tom Cruise was killing it in the 80s, he’s one of the great in my eyes alongside Dustin Hoffman.
Awesome video. I’ve been thinking about development arcs for my characters in my comic and this was just the thing I needed to see. I think any creative that writes for a passion no matter the medium could learn from this. Thanks a lot.
I argue that there is also 5th ending. The unresolved ending, the cliffhanger. Where the climax of the film ends the film. This helps to leave the ending ambiguous for the viewer and allow them to interpret what the overall message of the film is.
If you're going to do that, I recommend you make it distinct from a cliffhanger which simply sets up the sequel (essentially 1 double or triple length movie).
@@Dayvit78 What’s an example of this distinction from a cliffhanger you refer to? I ask so I can get a clearer meaning of what you said.
@@markparkinson6947 If you've seen Whiplash (2014), there are different ways to interpret the protagonist's arc, whether you think he underwent a positive or negative change. Tyler Mowery has a few character arc videos that detail how protagonists like these have open-ended or interpretable arcs. Try "How to Create Character Arcs"
@@IvanKasic There we go! That’s a great example of the cliffhanger ending, as the film cuts out right when Andrew (Miles Teller) finishes his drum solo, which cut out the reaction from the other characters, making the ending more ambiguous.
And I have seen some of Tyler Mowery’s videos before. He is extremely concise and direct in his teaching style, which is great. A downside, however, is that he does tend to think his teachings are the only way to approach writing a story, but I guess that’s what you need to do in order to be persuasive when you are trying to teach. You need to be able to convince your students to listen.
@@markparkinson6947 I totally agree! He's a great teacher for sure, but he can be a bit too sure that his way is the only way; I suppose it works anyway. Happy to help! :)
Always loved the versatility of this channel. From lenses to storytelling, with an unparalleled presentation. You've done it again.
That's the goal :)
Some "Directors" with a 9-figure budget can learn a thing or two from this video! 👍🐱👓❤
Always something to learn from anyone!
As great as StudioBinder is, what they don't go into is the politics and minutiae of how films are produced at the million dollar studio level. Meaning, all of these theories and elements of story telling are great on paper, but when you have million dollar contracts, egos and more than one cook stirring the pot, things get muddied and that's putting it lightly. I've worked around the industry and can tell you tales of how common sense goes out the window when money is involved... And there is money to be made at every step of the process. Hence, why everybody wants a hand in making the stew even if it ends up being something nobody wants to consume at the end, but all the chefs got paid to make it.
I literally just watched this film again for my second time last night, and now I'm seeing this video. STUDIOBINDER KNOWS ME TOO WELL. Also, this movie is sooo so good.
We got you covered ;)
Absolute masterpiece of a video.
You may not be making movies, but you are doing this thing, and you are doing it excellently.
Kudos to you.
Cheers! Glad you liked it
Well, technically, the videos that StudioBinder makes could count as individual movies, even if they are not told in a traditional narrative. The videos are a series of moving images, after all.
by far the nest free learning source out these
I really enjoyed the way you explained on how to write a semi-character arc like that.
Since I've been more brainstorming my sci-fi story/whole series idea(s) one of the things I've been thinking about is writing character arcs. I'm glad I found this video and I'm also glad that you provided a sheet to fill out for how to write your character arcs. Both positive and negative arcs.
After watching a Studio Binder video I always feel like rewatching a bunch of the mentioned movies.
They're all worth a second viewing!
This channel really helps me a lot in creating my fic! Thank you
And now, Stones's song is ringing in my head x)
Ringing in all of us :)
Best part about watching these videos is that even as just a simply viewer/reader, you can identify exactly what scratches the itch and why you like a movie or book.
Great insights.. Damn you could never learn this fundamentals of filmmaking in any film school.. !! Props to Studiobinder for such amazing content..
StudioBinder in session!
Hello Malay! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
This is such an understated channel. This ending series is so insightful!!!!
This is absolutely brilliant, thank you for the amazing amount of quality!
Huge love to everyone who contributed in making this video
Appreciate the support!
Another fantastic ending explainer video! I love how I'm getting so many reference points for my novel with these!
Great video, I wish you talked more about ‘impact characters’ maybe brought up some more examples, including examples how they can negatively, positively or fail to change the main character.
I really wished so too
I looked at my local theater to check out movies this morning before watching this video, and Rain Man just happens to be playing in theaters today to celebrate its 35th anniversary! 🎉
Can't wait for The Social Network episode.
on its way!
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So I subscribed, gave a thumbs up, made a positive comment and had tears in my eyes. Is that what you want? Or what you need?
That would be a sweet ending for us
You guys do such a good job. Favorite channel
What a great channel. Thanks for all that work!
I'm not a filmmaker but I am a storyteller, and these guides are amazing either way!
You will surely make some best technical artists in future , all because of your precious support and guidance.🙏
That's the dream!
4 minutes in and I've already learnt something significantly helpful. Thank you.
Hello! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
This channel never misses
We're excellent drivers ;)
Awww I’ve never seen Rain Man, but have seen references to it in other movies. I wanna watch it now.
Amazing as usual ❤️
Thanks for watching!
Studiobinder has taught me so much about filmmaking. Truly one of best channels on CZcams for filmmakers.
You guys are absolute legends. More power to you guys!❤️❤️❤️
heading to the top!
Hello Chirag! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
I really enjoyed the video it will certainly help me with the stories that I pursue to tell, and also made me understand what is my real life character arc for the moment
This was enlightening. Thank you for sharing. Wings of my dreams just got bigger.❤
Starting today, I'll watch these videos and take notes cuz I gotta start finalizing the script of this movie I want to make.
Thanks StudioBinder
I love this series, it is very clarifying.
That's the goal 👍
I love you studio binder ❤️ thank you for the lessons 🙏
Inspiring as always, thank you! Rain Man holds up so well, such a beautifully crafted film.
Just as a great of a watch today!
Thanks for the video since this helped me understand novels and other films much more as well as ace my Spanish class.
absolutely great movie
as always great video
very insightful!
you have always been a great inspiration to make video essays and learn more about cinema
This channel becomes more and more essential with every new video
That's the hope 👌
I know, right?
Absolutely awesome!
Superb content! Every video keeps getting better, you raise the bar on yourselves and yet, keep improving! Ad astra!
Appreciate the feedback!
Wonderful breakdown. Thanks.
Appreciate it!
Just hang in there. You'll get to a million subscribers soon. Your slow and steady amazing content will pay off in the end. Thank you for everything you do, you truly are a special channel
see you at the top!
Hello Patrick! We-re trying to make similar content but in Bollywood context! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
Bro this is really really good content, Im a film student but I've never learned this things.. thank you so much!
Great video, very clear explanation
Glad you liked it!
Just watching these clips from Rain Man brings me to tears. That movie was so good.
Best series of lectures of all time!!!!
*video lectures ❤
Hello J! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
Studio binder being awesome as usual. Great essay.
Thanks for watching!
@@StudioBinder You are welcome.
I have never seen rain man but this video had me(a grown man) tearing up at work WTF those scenes are so impactful and i didnt even watch the whole film. Excellent video as well and perfect examples
I LOVE STUDIOBINDER THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THANK YOU
Great work 👍👍👍
Amazing 👍👌👌👍
Thank you StudioBinder🙏🙏🙏
fantastic analysis
I love the voice of the announcer
we do too :)
Countdown to 1 million subscribers and well earned
Love his voice. Great video
Thank you, Studiobinder!!!!
Enjoy!
Keep up the good work.
I just love your videos🙃
More on the way 👌
Hello Shubham! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
Just perfect teaching 🙌🏻👍🏻
That's the goal!
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I've watched this video two times cuz it's good!
Thanks for watching!
What does mean in the captions?
Loved it,enjoyed the video😍😇
Awesome :)
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Thanks StudioBinder ! Great work.
Hope it helps!
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This analysis is so fucking good. I couldn't quantify why Rain Man is so good the way this video essay does.
Here to educate and entertain 👌
13/01/2022 How to Write a Character Arc ?
Four ways to end a story
1. Sweet ending
main character has 2 things
a want (known to character , external to character ,specific to the character ) and
a need (internal to character, unknown to the character, drive the story)
character will achieving his wants and needs.
2.Semi Sweet ending
character achieves what they want but not what they need
in opening scene introduce the character ghost(something they did in past but haunts them now)
can be an event, break up, betrayal and this shaped our our character to whom his now .
also you need an impact character who neutralize the character and
has impact on character life and proceeds to change him and to try achieve his want.
he is presented with his want but he has changed
he want to achieve his need and new want which is impossible hence semi sweet ending
story end with positive change arc
This video is so amazing for the real life too 🙌
This is better, much better than film school.
Thank you, guys.
If I become famous as a filmmaker one day, can I say I learnt a lot from your channel?
How this video was so perfectly exsicuted thank you 😊🙏.(liked)and(subscribed)❤️.
I write novels, but this is pure gold for any fiction writer.
Great video
Hello Rishi! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
Awesome & Thanks :)
Awesome!
Hello Krishnan! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
awesome 🙌
spectacular 🙌
The scene where Charlie discovers his need is a bit deeper. In my trash opinion. At the end of the scene he discovers that he himself was always good enough for his father so his "ghost" is now extinct. Kidnapping Raymond led to him discovering how their father sent Ray away soon after the death of their mother. This is the inciting incident that frees Charlie so he can lose the chip on his shoulder of always needing money/material possessions to be seen as worthy in his own life. After he talks with Raymond, he realizes their father is a very flawed individual. After their mother died, he decides he's not going to invest the time/energy into raising Raymond in his own home. He sends him away, but always making sure the funds are there for his care. Charlie realizes that he himself was never the problem. It was their father. Their father had emotionally failed them both. After their talk, he empathizes with Raymond. Now Charlie realizes he's free from his father's ghost and his resentments of him. He can now give (and receive) his brother what each of them never had in their own lives from their living family members: love. Not just love, but unconditional love. That also translates into his personal relationships. Charlie was very cold and aloof from his girlfriend (like his father was with him) and after these realizations he's now able to love himself, thus translating into loving Raymond and his girlfriend. There's a lot packed into that scene which unfolds throughout the rest of the film. Absolutely brilliant writing.
Can we get a spoiler alert list of movies in the description of the videos?
Thanks for the suggestion!
Superb video
Superb feedback!
Hello! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
Amazing 👏
Cheers!
@@StudioBinder Your narrative prowess is awesome. Hope to work with u on a film project in the future.
Superb dear
This is a really cool channel. Subscribed. Now for my typewriter… 😊
I'm from tamilnadu but the video is easy to attendance 👍👍👍👍
You're right on time :)
Hello! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
U r my film school, நன்றி🙏💕
Hello Harish! If you liked this, then check out our video on character arc in Bollywood film 3 Idiots! - czcams.com/video/jmBpV4hD2XI/video.html
Good insights. Thank you. I do need to point out @3:34 the Weiland quote you use - it should be gender neutral - instead of his/himself - which continues further into the quote - he conquers, his inner demons, his arc.
StudioBinder guys, can you link a book or series of books by this amazing K. M. Weiland. She seems to know a lot, and I'd like to learn a lot.
Absolutely. Added to description. Here you go! bit.ly/weilandarcs
@@StudioBinder 😘👍
In High School, they explained character arcs very differently, as the series of events that shape a characters personality or destiny; Classic examples include the hero's arc as featured in Homer's two classic stories about Achilles and Odysseus, and in the classic athenian stage plays. These standard arcs are also found in much more recent media, such as the original Star Wars Trilogy (which actively sought out well established types and structures), the Back to the Future series where each of the recurring characters evolve fundamentally. A character isn't as much shaped by wants and needs, but instead forms them.
You got the best narrator in the world even with his highfalutin fancy British talk
That's what makes him the best narrator haha
You are amazing!
Cheers!
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I find myself lucky that I found this channel
Welcome!
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In a Christmas Carol, Scrooge doesn’t get what he wants (money, to be alone) but he gets what he needs (love, community). So, I guess thats a Semi-Sweet ending. But a very happy one. But Bob and the community get what they want - Scrooge to be good.
I got roses, didn't I?
I definitely got roses
I mean those are roses!
❤
Learning is a Never Ending Journey.
check that off the list off of corny things literally said by everyone
Words of wisdom
Please make a video on how to write good cliffhanger ends and how to create mastermind suspense
Thanks for this incredible content as always studio binder!
Ps. I've an assignment about 3D animation for the days coming... What do you think I should talk about on it?
a bit broad to comment on, perhaps how the 3D quality creates a different viewing experience from the traditional 2D medium.
StudioBinder vids are popcorn entertainment! I'm going to be a customer (some day)
looking forward to it!
if possible please do a video on background music, when to use it and when not.
we have a video on how Tarantino uses music you would love! czcams.com/video/ywrvXOo4R2M/video.html
Hi, this is perfect video, beautifully made. The question by lukas divs interest me, i also want to know colour of gambling. Thank you for your answer
We also have a color theory video of Kubrick's colors that should help! czcams.com/video/yVdhm9P8I6o/video.html