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Way 11: Getting Into the Minds of Your Characters: Part I

Congratulations, you\u2019ve built your outline, extended synopsis, or treatment! You\u2019re just about ready to start drafting. The only thing left is to make sure you have an understanding of the drama genre \u2014 what works, what doesn\u2019t, and why. Throughout the rest of covering the fifteen ways of creative writing I will focus on building the tools you need to further master this genre. These Ways will sometimes shift away from detailed assignments, and focus on lessons to learn about the genre, writing drama screenplays, and how to market them. You can take this knowledge and apply it to your drama story before, during, and after the writing process. It\u2019s all about filling up that toolbox with plenty of tools you can use to tweak your drama scripts.

TOPIC: Five Ways You Can Get Into the Minds of Your Characters: Part I

LESSON: One of the most common elements of screenwriting that screenwriters struggle with when writing drama most is writing believable characters that pop off of the page.
Believability has nothing to do with realism. Realism in film is often an oxymoron because most films are fictional \u2014 and even those that aren\u2019t usually take major creative liberties with the true stories that they depict in order to tell a more cinematic story within a couple hours of screen time.

Method Screenwriting
Much has been written about The Method in the realm of acting. We\u2019ve seen actors like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Christian Bale go to great lengths to truly become the characters that they represent. They physically change their bodies. They learn a language that their character speaks. They live in solitude to discover what it\u2019s like to waste away in prison. They walk the dark city streets to get a feel for what it would be like to be a killer.

Research
Research is key. Method screenwriting is certainly part of that process, however, in this case we\u2019re talking less about getting into their shoes directly, and more about hearing and reading from real life people that have been in those positions or situations.

ASSIGNMENT: As you start to get into the minds of your characters, let\u2019s take some time to read some great screenplays from the drama genre that we\u2019ve provided links to below. Remember that general screenwriting format \u2014 as far as the guidelines and expectations \u2014 have changed throughout the years. Read ScreenCraft\u2019s Elements of Screenplay Formatting for up-to-date format directives. Also remember that some of these are earlier drafts, so expect to see some major differences between these below scripts and the final produced film.

Contact me for bonus resources and read these drama screenplays:

• GOOD WILL HUNTING
• THE POWER OF THE DOG
• DANCES WITH WOLVES
• CODA
• MAGNOLIA