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An Easy Guide To On-Screen Character Archetypes

images of different character archetypes for screenplays

Do you ever watch a film and think, “I could have done better! There’s two hours of my life I’ll never get back!” That’s easily remedied — just become a screenwriter.

You might have to go back to school and learn about film from the experts, but what’s two or three years of education compared to watching another bad film?

But first things first: You need to know how to write the best characters. You might be harboring fantasies of basing your villain someone you dislike, but they need to fit the bill. Do you want an Every Person character, one who fades into the background but has a cynicism that could become concerning? Or maybe a classic Ruler, someone completely obsessed with control who eventually wants to form their own dictatorship?

This infographic is exactly what you need to exact revenge on all those who have wronged you by writing them into your very first screenplay and casting them as a villain or a doomed protagonist. And of course, you can base the hero on yourself. It’s your film, after all. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, this infographic will help you master character archetypes. Check out this DIY Filmmakers toolkit here!

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