How to Write Brilliant Characters - Lowerated
- Lower Rated
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
A script lives and dies by its characters. You can have an interesting plot or a clever twist, but if the characters aren’t real, the story won’t matter. Characters are what we remember. They’re the ones who drive the plot, carry the emotion, and give the audience something to hold onto.
This guide will walk through everything that goes into creating a character for film or television. Whether you’re writing a hero, a villain, or someone in the background with no lines at all, it all starts with intention.
What Makes a Character?
A character is a person with a life beyond what we see on screen. Even if we only get a glimpse, the character should have:
A past (even if it’s not shown)
A goal (even if they’re unaware of it)
Flaws that drive or derail them
Relationships that define how they act
A point of view
Where Do You Start?
When building a character, these are key early questions:
What does this character want?
What do they actually need?
What are they afraid of?
How will they change (or refuse to change)?
Why are they in this story?
Don’t start with physical appearance. Start with the engine: their need, their goal, and what’s in the way.
Types of Characters
Protagonist
The main character. They drive the story. It’s their arc we follow.
Has a strong desire
Faces obstacles
Learns something (or fails to)
Examples: Walter White, Fleabag, Tony Soprano
Antagonist
The person or force that creates conflict.
Doesn’t have to be evil
Should have just as much motivation as the hero
Believes they are right
Examples: Gus Fring (Breaking Bad), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
Supporting Characters
They build the world. They reflect or challenge the protagonist.
Can have their own arcs
Offer contrast, clarity, or chaos
Examples: Jesse Pinkman, Kim Wexler, Robin (to Batman)
Background Characters / Extras
Characters without lines are often called "extras" or "background." But even they should make sense in the world.
If a character has no lines but plays a specific role (e.g., a security guard, bartender), they might be listed by function.
Examples:
WAITER (30s, nervous, forgets the order)
GUARD #2 (stoic, holds his rifle tight)
Character Arcs
A character arc is the transformation a character undergoes across the story.
Types of arcs:
Positive Arc → Learns, grows, improves
Negative Arc → Breaks down, loses control, descends
Flat Arc → Stays consistent while changing the world around them
Family and Relationships
Characters don’t live in a vacuum. Who they’re connected to matters.
Family informs identity (even if they’re estranged)
Friends and lovers reveal traits
Enemies show us pressure points
Ask:
Who do they trust?
Who are they hiding something from?
Who shaped their beliefs?
Writing Dialogue for Characters
Good dialogue comes from voice. Not everyone speaks the same way.
Consider:
Vocabulary and rhythm
What they say vs. what they don’t say
Are they honest, sarcastic, formal, casual?
The goal is for us to know who’s speaking even without a name tag.
Writing Villains
A strong villain is not just "bad."
The best villains:
Have understandable reasons
Operate by a code
Believe they are the hero
Ask:
What do they want?
What are they afraid of?
How do they justify their actions?
Character Profiling Tools in Lowerated Script Writer
Lowerated offers tools for writers to build and refine characters:
Create detailed character profiles (name, age, arc, goal, background, relationships)
Add tags to track appearance across scenes
Keep versions of your characters as they evolve
Comment and collaborate with others on characters
View characters by screen time and presence per scene
Final Thoughts
Characters make your story matter. They carry the plot, drive the emotion, and give the audience a reason to care.
Whether it’s a conflicted antihero or a silent extra, every character is a choice. Write them with care.
If you want to write the next great character, use Lowerated Script Writer.
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