How to stress-test your protagonist by adding fatal flaws
(The following is a guest post by screenwriter and professor Aaron Mendelsohn.)
Sticking to your protagonist’s fatal flaw is one of the key ways you can create and sustain a successful screenwriting career.
If you’re being rather informal about how to do this right now, then you’re not properly breaking down the fatal flaw of your story’s protagonist. what you need is a method You can repeat these with every new feature and pilot you write.
A good approach is to ask yourself a series of prompt questions Key ideas about your protagonist and their story points.
What is the central character’s fatal flaw?
One of the protagonist’s fatal flaws is Key Story Drivers. Most three-dimensional protagonists have a fatal flaw. This doesn’t mean they are bad, weak, or broken – just a chink in their armor.
❖ Maybe they are selfish, or greedy, or obsessed with less than ideal goals or love interests.
❖ Or they are haunted by tragic events in their past.
❖ Or, if the protagonist is an assassin or a gangster, perhaps their fatal flaw is their empathy.
Whatever it is, despite their noblest intentions, a fatal flaw in their character will inevitably get them into trouble. Act 2 Wrong Route Until they realize their mistake and get back on track.
Ultimately, the protagonist’s flaws are what they must face and overcome at the climax of the story in order to successfully complete their journey.
Consistently answer questions about the character’s flaws
When you ask yourself what your protagonist’s fatal flaw is, the key to leading you through the story’s breakthrough is Answer truthfully.
If you try to cheat and come up with a vague answer, or twist a concept you already have in your mind to make it somewhat fit the question, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
This was just written lazily.
However, when you answer questions about your protagonist’s fatal flaw truthfully, and with a lot of thought and substance, you end up with Lay the foundation for better scripts.
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Aaron Mendelsohn is a working screenwriter, professor of screenwriting at Loyola-Marymount University, and secretary-treasurer of the Writers Guild of America West.
He is best known for Disney air budswhich spawned eleven sequels. Current projects include a feature film for Warner Bros., a Spike TV series and a Hallmark film. Aaron’s method of breaking down stories is now available as an ebook: 11 Essential Questions: A Guide to Better Screenplays.
For a limited time, he’s offering Script Reader Pro readers with a 20% discount. Please visit www.11questionsbook.com for more information.
Like this article? Read more about fatal flaws and creating believable characters…
Why your scripted character feels “flat” and how to fix it
Why creating a character profile is not a good starting point (and what to do about it)
Character Description Examples: How to Engage Readers
How to Write a Screenplay: Secrets to Beyond the Ordinary
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