Here is a template to create the characters for your screenplay

One of the most important features in a screenplay is the way a writer debuts and describes each of his characters.
Characters are the live of a screenplay. They create a story, in the sense that the story exists because of the activities and actions of the characters there in.
The characters' dialogues, gestures, movements and interactions with one another are the smallest units of a story which is the core of a screenplay. Without the characters, there may be nothing like a screenplay.

As a result of all these, there is need for a proper creation and description of each of these characters by the writer.
By this description, it means that the physical make up of each of these characters is well delineated for the audience to see and understand.
It should be more of physical, in the sense that those physical aspects of a human are the ones which are visible to the audience.
It can also be beyond physical, where the internal aspects of the characters are described too. But here, the characters have to show or prove this internal aspect by their actions and behaviors.

In a bid to create and describe your characters excellently for the sake of a good screenplay, you will need to use a description grouping which will serve as a template:

A. Non-living
This group is for characters that have no human life. Characters here will include non living characters like furniture, clothing, teddy bears, electronics, buildings, cars, e.t.c.
It can also include dead human characters.
These characters are usually for animation screenplays.

B. Living (Non Human)
The characters here are all forms of trees and animals.
It can also be for animation.

C. Living (Human)
This group includes anything which is a living human.

D. Sex
This is where a writer now states the sex of (C) above; i.e the sex of the living human. It will either be a male or a female.

E. Age
Here the writer states the age range; or in some cases, the exact age of the character.

F. Height
This is where the writer describes the height of the character.

G. Complexion
Here, the writer states whether the character is fair or dark, or whatever color.

H. Hair-do / Hair style
Every character must have a hair style. This group is where the writer describes the character's hair style.

I. Movement
The way the character walks, runs, gesticulates, e.t.c. Here, the writer will state all of them.

NB: All the above is more of the physical aspect of the character.
Others to come below are more of the internal aspect.

J. Speech
The way the character talks, and also the kind of sound he produces whenever he shouts, laughs, cries e.t.c.

K. Behavior
Here, the writer describes the character's general behavior. This includes his attitude, his approach to things, and his modes of decision making.

L. Others
The writer can now go on and on to describe his character's other features.

One of the ways an audience can enjoy a screen writer's work is by being thrilled by the way the writer introduces and describes every of his characters.
Characters make a screenplay lively, so the tactics involved in telling the audience who and what they are matter so much.


Written by: Winston Oge

Follow on twitter: https://twitter.com/winny_greazy 
Facebook: https://facebook.com/winny.greazy


Click the HOME bar to read other updates.