How to write a character arc (specifically a positive change arc) based on "Creating Character Arcs" by KM Weiland.
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This video contains spoilers!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro — The Four Endings in Every Film
00:32 Protagonist "Wants & Needs"
02:45 Overview — The Semi-Sweet Ending
03:54 Introducing Charlie Babbitt
05:01 What is a Character's "Ghost?"
08:18 The "Impact Character" Explained
08:42 Charlie's Need
12:35 Charlie Achieves His Need
13:45 Charlie Establishes a New Want
14:47 Charlie Sacrifices His Want
15:40 Get Your FREE Screenwriting Worksheet
How to write a character arc — this is a topic in screenwriting that is endlessly pursued and desperately necessary. Almost all characters in almost all stories change in some way, and this is what we mean by “what is a character arc.” No matter their personality or backstory, which can be specific and unique, there are fundamental and universal ways that all characters change. And when you understand these mechanics of character arcs, actually writing character arcs can become an intuitive as well as creative process.
In this video essay on screenwriting techniques, we look specifically at the 1986 Oscar-winning screenplay for Rain Man and how the positive change character arc is masterfully executed. As part of our on-going series on The 4 Ways to End a Film, this third chapter focuses on character arcs — how they are created and how they evolve during the narrative. We’ll also cover how “want vs need” is employed to inform and balance the character arc from start to finish.
Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a character ripe for positive change. We first meet him as a shady importer of foreign cars, up to his neck in debt, and a serial liar. When news of his father’s death reaches him, all Charlie wants is his inheritance. Unfortunately, the entire inheritance has been bestowed upon a trustee, a Charlie’s heretofore unknown brother, Raymond. Charlie essentially kidnaps Raymond in an attempt to gain custody of him — not because he wants to care for his brother but so he can gain access to the inheritance. On their road trip back to California, Charlie learns valuable lessons about his past, his family, and reconnects with Raymond in ways that change him inside and out.
In her book, Creating Character Arcs, KM Weiland gives us a few key screenwriting techniques that we can apply to our analysis of Rain Man. First, we have what she calls the “Character’s Ghost,” which is that element in their past that haunts them. For Charlie, it’s his sour and unresolved relationship with his father. To break through his character arc, Charlie must confront and eradicate that ghost.
Another key to writing character arcs is something Weiland calls the “Impact Character.” This is someone that “slams into your protagonist, catalyzes him into change, and has a major impact on his life.” Obviously, Raymond is Charlie’s impact character and pushes him through his character arc — without even trying.
Charlie’s character arc saw him transform from selfish to selfless, while resolving some deep-seated anger. Charlie gave up his “want” (the money) when he found his “need” (internal resolution) and this makes Rain Man such a great example of how to write a character arc.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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Songs Used:
"Haute Couture" - Nu Alkemi$t
Untitled Chimes
"Share My Life With Him" - Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna / Onward OST
"Dad" - Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna / Onward OST
"Silent Arithmetic" - Hill
"Soundtrack/Movie Trailer" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"Switchback (Instrumental)" - Nu Alkemi$t
"Iko Iko" - Dixie Cups
"Drive From The Country" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"She's Got You High" - Mumm-Ra
"Tippin Vol. 2" - xJWill
"Putting Ray To Bed" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"Las Vegas" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"At Last" - Etta James
"Smoke Alarm" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"My Main Man" - Hans Zimmer / Rain Man OST
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" - The Rolling Stones
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