Jul
2
Checklist: Active Protagonist
Filed Under Story Basics
Are you struggling with a passive protagonist? Let’s look into what causes a character to be passive.
A hero is not ‘active’ because he is constantly running, fighting, arguing etc. A hero is not ‘passive’ because he is never running, fighting, arguing etc.
Here is a list of points that in my view will have a positive impact on the protagonist’s ‘activity’ level.
Like any other principle, there will be numerous examples of successful films that stray from these. It doesn’t mean you can just ignore them.
1. The hero must have strong will power.
2. The hero should have a clear goal.
3. The hero should state the goal explicitly (on or before p.25 for feature films).
4. The hero must not be forced, but chooses to pursue the goal.
5. Once the goal is known, the hero should stay on the case.
6. The hero can only be distracted because of a new, stronger goal.
7. Keep showing us the Hheroero really wants to achieve the goal.
8. Make sure the obstacles in the way are significant.
9. Stay in the hero’s POV as much as possible.
10. When something happens to the hero, show us a clear response.
This list is definitely not exhaustive and I reserve the right to change my mind ;).
Feel free to comment, criticise and add.
Questions and Comments
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4. The hero must not be forced, but chooses to pursue the goal.
In Pixar’s CARS, Lightning Mqueen is locked up then forced to accept the goal - “Fix the road then you can go.”
I would need to watch that film to give you a proper answer but it sounds like you’ve got a good exception there.