Doctor Evil! I didn’t spend six years in an evil medical school to be called Mister, thank you very much.” These hilarious words were said by Dr. Evil, the ridiculously arch and wildly funny villain of the Austin Powers franchise. Dr. Evil embodies all the classic negative character traits of a villain: He’s selfish, maniacal, and hell-bent on world domination. “Bad” characters in your story have negative character traits, just like Dr. Evil - although maybe not so obvious! What are negative character traits exactly, and what are some examples of bad character traits? Read on for a negative character…
What is a foil character? Is it a character who wears tin-foil on their head? Wait no, that’s Joaquin Phoenix in Signs. Foil characters exist to expose something in the main character of a story. You may have heard the term in reference to the works of William Shakespeare, but he’s not the only writer who uses them. We’re going to show you some examples of foil characters from literature, film, and television. By the end, you’ll know how to recognize foils from a mile away and perhaps hatch an idea for your own foil character.Continue reading What is a…
Human beings in the real world are multi-faceted, each with unique traits, strengths, desires, and flaws. Honest, compelling characters in storytelling, therefore, must also be complex beings. One of the unique tools writers have in making characters more complex and more interesting is character flaws. Continue reading The Ultimate Character Flaws List — A Writer’s Guide
The Office has proved to be a show that ages like fine wine. Since the series finale in 2013, the mockumentary style sitcom has only grown in popularity and continues to be binge watched around the world. With so many new fans, The Office has provoked a new conversation among its cult following: what are the best Michael Scott quotes? We were wondering the same thing. So we did our homework and compiled a list of the 25 best quotes from the inimitable world’s best boss Michael Scott.Continue reading 25 Best Michael Scott Quotes from The Office, Ranked
Mad Men is one of television's best period pieces. It not only uses the 1960s as a backdrop and setting for the show, it imbues its dialogue, story, and characters with the details of the times. Every character reflects the 1960s in one way or another. In this article, we’ll analyze how Betty Draper’s tragic character arc was developed and written to reflect the times. Be warned there are spoilers ahead.Continue reading Betty Draper: How They Wrote Mad Men’s Most Tragic Character
The Scorpion and the Frog story is a classic fable that has only become popular over the last hundred or so years. But just like the most famous animal fables of all-time, like the Tortoise and the Hare and the Ants and the Grasshopper, the Scorpion and the Frog is a tale that can be used to demonstrate, subvert, and communicate character archetypes. We’re going to explore some examples of how the Scorpion vs Frog has been used in film – but first let’s define fables.Continue reading The Scorpion and the Frog Story — How Writers Use Fables
Want to learn how to write an adaptation of an adaptation? Look no further than Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos’s 2017 Beauty and the Beast script. We’re going to break down the Beauty and the Beast script by looking at its characters, quotes, and ending. By the end, you’ll know how Chbosky and Spiliotopoulos renovated a 250+ year story while staying true to the original.Continue reading Beauty and the Beast Script PDF Download: Plot, Quotes, and Analysis
Television shows have a lot of moving parts — almost every show employs numerous writers and directors. So, how do you make sure everything functions as it should while guaranteeing the overall creative vision of the series? This is the job of a showrunner — a position more like the conductor of an orchestra. We’ll break down the basic responsibilities of the role as well as what it takes to eventually become one. What is a showrunner? Let's go behind the scenes of today's biggest television and streaming shows to find the answer.Continue reading What is a Showrunner — What…
Whether it be whispered tales around a campfire or blockbuster epics on the silver screen, certain character archetypes have stood the test of time, captivating audiences with their timeless appeal. Among these, the Chosen One trope shines as a beacon of hope and destiny, weaving through narratives with the promise of greatness and the allure of a predetermined path. Let's explore this fascinating trope, understanding its roots, characteristics, and unforgettable cinematic renditions. Continue reading What is the Chosen One — Classic Character Trope Explained
A famously red-headed little girl once said, “The sun will come up tomorrow.” Annie, the titular character of the movie of the same name, became a beloved figure in film, and an enduring symbol of staying optimistic in hard times. Annie had several character traits, but her hopefulness is what’s often remembered about her. Having hope or optimism is a positive character trait. Some of the most memorable heroines and heroes in film and literature have positive character traits. So what are positive character traits, and why do authors choose to use them? Continue reading Positive Character Traits — A Guide…
