What are the best ways to create a character that will stick in your audience's mind?

For me, the better I know my characters, the easier it is to give them a goal. The goals obviously have to do with the story as much as with the character and you have to give them hard, but obtainable goals. Ideally goals are related to traits, flaws, and internal wanting. Since the goal of a character will guide you through your plot, it's good to also look at internal versus external goals and goals that the character may have versus goals that would serve the character and ultimately serve the story.

Defining a character's goals (or their wants and needs) in any given scene is a must. If you don't know what they want, how do you know where the scene is going? And how do you know what obstacles you need to put in their way to frustrate their goals? A favourite example are the Mission Impossible movies, particularly the later ones. Most scenes have really clear goals, because they need a complex plan laid out for the team (and really for us, the audience) so we know what to expect. Inevitably the plan goes wrong, and Ethan Hunt has to try his hardest not to die/make the plan work, but that's half the fun. There's also more internal/cerebral/emotional goals, and someone like Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders is a good example here.

If you write about something impactful to you that you "know" or have "experienced" yourself and add your imagination/fictional circumstances, then you are bound to come up with something that feels real, unique and entertaining and has a natural "goal" or "goals" built into the story. Since I'm an voice actress and I have to come up with ideas fast when I work, creating drama, story arch and hearing the characters voices often comes quickly to me. If I know what the characters story is before I start writing, it really helps. However, I also like to write a new character and discover who they are as I write them. I get out of my head and into my heart, and let my gut instincts write the story. Then I edit. I'm a new, evolving writer.

Whatever the goal - the best goals are internal and external and at odds with each other. A warrior who wants peace. A cynic who is full of compassion An abuser who is a hero. Innocent transforms into cold hearted As the character moves towards the goal the internal and external meet and both the internal and external find conflict and resolution. (Casablanca) Rick saying goodbye to Elsa. (Crash) Sergeant John Ryan saving Christine Gladiator (The Godfather) Micheal Corleone

The audience 'relatability' is determined by a truth that is universal. One that everyone responds to intuitively (Just THAT reaction we see, to the news of a child who didn't make it home tonight in the traffic, for example, reaches right into the core.) We KNOW that truth. Personality is the added layer - the specific. The result of choices and habits and behaviour over the years. And when we watch the truth emerge through the personality we have grown to understand, empathise with, or even hate in the course of the story, we are led into a uniquely subjective (macro lens) understanding of the universal.

Whenever I see a movie or read a screenplay, I'm impressed when the main protagonist has a flaw that is relatable. It can be anything that pulls at us all as human beings and emphasizes our shared humanity. What would make you feel for that character? It's one of the most important concepts, I think, in building an interesting screenplay.

o further enhance your character's depth, consider incorporating a flaw that resonates with their personality and background. Dive into their past experiences, upbringing, or traumas to unearth a flaw that adds layers to their character. Avoid clichés and instead opt for a flaw that challenges their beliefs or forces them to confront their inner demons. This flaw should not only impede their progress but also serve as a catalyst for their development throughout the story. By delving into the intricacies of your character's flaws, you can craft a more nuanced and compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged.

There are so many ways to create a memorable character. The first is heart. I find developing characters with vulnerability and flaws - characters based on real people - helps made them solid. Characters whose journey an audience can relate to, empathize and emotionally connect with. Put this character on a path towards a goal, throw every possible obstacle in their way and have them emerge a hero - stronger, wiser and forevermore changed.

To spice up your character's journey, dive into the nitty-gritty of their struggles and victories. Let their experiences mess with their heads and hearts, shaping who they become along the way. Throw them into the deep end with challenges that force them to face their demons or make tough choices. Show how they stumble, rise, and stumble again, because hey, nobody's perfect. Make each step of their journey feel like a wild rollercoaster ride, with ups, downs, and loop-de-loops that keep readers on the edge of their seats. After all, a character's transformation isn't just about where they end up—it's about the crazy, messy, beautiful journey they take to get there.

I like to throw them into tricky situations and see how they roll with the punches. I Make them choose between hard options and watch them squirm. When they finally make a call, let the fallout happen—good, bad, or somewhere in between. Because when you put your character to the test, that's when the real story begins.

When it comes to your character's vibe, their voice is where it's at. Dive into their personality, quirks, and style to craft a voice that's as cool as they are. Whether they're dropping epic one-liners, slinging slang, or getting deep, let their words show off who they really are. Don't hold back—mix up the language, tone, and vibe to really bring them to life. Because let's face it, it's not just what they say, but how they say it that makes them stand out. So go ahead, let your character's voice be their secret weapon and watch them steal the spotlight.

I agree with everything, Ialso think that learning lines early as you all know will contribute to the fluidity of a performance. Also internalising the charcater.

Your audience should be able to relate to your well rounded character whether the role is an antagonist or protagonist. When the audience can relate to the characters, central or not, the characters feel real and grounded to social norms. Even superheroes have their flaws.

When creating a character think about what people in your life are memorable and why. It might give you some insights and ideas.