Defining the Hero

Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.

Rick Blaine was far from the only hero depicted in film. In 2003, the American Film Institute issued its list, “100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains” (Gregory Peck’s unforgettable portrayal of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) received the most votes in the “Hero” category). The AFI used the following definition for a “hero”:

For voting purposes, a "hero" was defined as a character(s) who prevails in extreme circumstances and dramatizes a sense of morality, courage and purpose. Though they may be ambiguous or flawed, they often sacrifice themselves to show humanity at its best.

While this description embraces many of a hero’s traits, it does not adequately encompass the importance of the hero’s goal, nor does it place enough emphasis on the obstacles a hero must overcome in order to achieve said goal. So, for the purposes of this discussion, we will use the following definition I have utilized throughout my seventeen years of screenwriting:

A hero is someone who accomplishes a clear goal for a greater good by overcoming obstacles with the help of a mentor at significant risk to the hero’s livelihood.

Ever since Achilles’ exploits in The Iliad, heroes have been a staple in Western literature and subsequently, in modern American cinema. They capture our imagination, send our pulse through the roof, and bring us to the edge of our seat – helping us see ourselves in them… and helping us see the potential in all of us.

Creating an effective hero in modern day storytelling is, in fact, the most critical goal a screenwriter or director should have in order to connect with the audience – more important than the film’s structure, genre, supporting characters, or core concept.

I spend considerable time working with writers via my ThreeAct Script Consulting Service so they can strive to create heroes as memorable as Rick Blaine.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, The hero’s the thing.

Creating Memorable Villains

Why do villains in American films do what they do? What motivates them to shun the mores of society in order to achieve goals that typically are contrary to what most would consider good and just? Ever since the origins of storytelling, audiences have been enthralled with villains. Yet, those same audiences consistently have rooted for heroic counterparts to defeat them.

It is the thoughtful critic and prudent writer who looks to the past to examine characters who have stood the test of time, and in doing so, is able to create memorable villains who often share similar traits, yet have an undeniable sense of uniqueness and individuality.

Here are some questions you want to ask about your villain:

THE VILLAIN'S PERSONA

1. Name:
2. Age:
3. Physical Description/dress:
4. Marital Status:
5. Childhood/Nuclear Family:
6. Current occupation:
7. Job history:
8. Education:
9. How much does he/she earn a year? How much in savings? Debt?
10. Hobbies:
11. Biggest regret in life:
12. How many sexual partners?
13. Favorite Book/Movie/Album:
14. Magazine subscriptions:
15. What is a typical Saturday night for the character?
16. Does the character have a credo? Words to live by?
17. Who or what does the character fear?
18. Who or what does the character hate?
19. Who or what does the character love?
20. What is the character’s goal?
21. What is the character’s internal motivation?
22. What is the character’s external motivation?
23. Is the character active in achieving his / her goal?
24. Who or what prevents the character from achieving his / her goal?
25. What is the character’s fatal flaw?
26. What is the transformation arc of the character?
27. Who or what helps the character change?
28. What is the character’s purpose in the overall story?
29. How does the character speak?
30. What is the first image of the character? What does it tell us about him / her?
31. Does the character have any conflicting personality traits?
32. What happened in the character’s childhood that has affected him / her?
33. What happens if the character does not achieve his / her goal?
34. What is the character’s secret?
35. What is the character missing in his / her life?
36. Who is the character’s mentor?