How can you create a character that is both iconic and versatile?

1 Define your character's core

The first step is to define your character's core: what are their values, goals, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses? What makes them tick, what drives them, what challenges them? This is the essence of your character, the foundation of their identity and actions. Your character's core should be clear, consistent, and compelling. It should also be relevant to the theme and genre of your film. For example, in The Godfather, Michael Corleone's core is his loyalty to his family and his ambition to protect and expand their empire.

3 Vary your character's expression

The third step is to vary your character's expression: how do they react, adapt, or change in different situations, contexts, or relationships? How do they show different facets of their personality, emotions, or goals? Your character's expression should be dynamic, flexible, and realistic. It should also be consistent with their core and signature, but not limited by them. You want your character to surprise, challenge, or grow with the plot, the setting, or the other characters. For example, in The Silence of the Lambs, Clarice Starling's expression varies from being confident, curious, and brave to being vulnerable, scared, and conflicted.

4 Test your character's limits

The fourth step is to test your character's limits: what are the obstacles, conflicts, or dilemmas that your character faces or creates? What are the stakes, consequences, or choices that your character has to deal with? Your character's limits should be challenging, engaging, and meaningful. They should also be relevant to your character's core and signature, but not predictable or easy. You want your character to struggle, learn, or transform with the challenges, the risks, or the opportunities. For example, in The Dark Knight, Batman's limits are tested by the Joker's chaos, violence, and moral dilemmas.

5 Contrast your character with others

The fifth step is to contrast your character with others: who are the allies, enemies, or foils that your character interacts with? How do they complement, oppose, or influence your character? Your character's contrast should be interesting, diverse, and complex. It should also be relevant to your character's core, signature, expression, and limits, but not redundant or stereotypical. You want your character to relate, clash, or collaborate with other characters, to create tension, humor, or drama. For example, in The Avengers, the characters contrast each other in their personalities, powers, values, and goals.

6 Review your character's arc

The final step is to review your character's arc: how does your character change, grow, or resolve throughout the film? What is the journey, the development, or the outcome of your character? Your character's arc should be satisfying, coherent, and impactful. It should also be relevant to your character's core, signature, expression, limits, and contrast, but not forced or unrealistic. You want your character to have a clear, consistent, and compelling arc, to show their evolution, transformation, or resolution. For example, in Toy Story, Woody's arc is from being jealous, insecure, and selfish to being friendly, confident, and generous.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?