Happy September!
I've been so busy. I've fallen behind on my posts.
Today I have an interesting article for you to read. It is from ScriptMag. The article is about forming an antagonist everyone will love and hate at the same time. Click below to read more.
| Understanding Antagonists | |
 | Jeanne Veillette Bowerman Online Editor ScriptMag.com |
This week's screenwriting tip is from Kay Loveridge on crawling into the mind of the antagonist.
Don't miss Kathy Berardi's webinar on Thursday,September 8th on The Craft of Writing Great Villains. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation.
Upcoming Screenwriting Webinars: At the live webinar, you may interact with the presenter and also get access to the recorded, on-demand edition for your video library. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation.
- The Craft of Writing Great Villains by Kathy Berardi, 9/8
- Write Innovative Character and Plot: Analyzing Oscar-winning Screenwriter Diablo Cody by Susan Kouguell, 9/12
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by Kayley Loveridge
I love a good 'bad guy.'
I also love a good 'bad woman.'
If a film or screenplay makes me loath but love, then empathise but hate the antagonist - all in one sitting - then a massive bravo to that screenwriter from yours truly (insert standing ovation here).
The antagonist is arguably the most complex and fascinating (and definitely my personal favourite) character in fiction, and as a story analyst, it always makes me fist pump the sky in my mind when I come across that rare gem in a script. What you'll be pleased to know, is that not every screenwriter with agents or huge credits in Hollywood are completely exempt from writing the odd 'flat' antagonist, so how can you plump him/her up and deliver a full-bodied and exciting character?
The key is in his psychology. Who is the antagonist and why does he do the things he does? As the writer, you are responsible for giving soul and consciousness to your characters, and when you allow for your characters to become three dimensional, sentient beings, they become decision makers for themselves and this is what ultimately drives the plot forward.
"If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
For every action the antagonist takes in opposition to their protagonist, there must be a motivation, a reason behind their choices. These could stem from...
Read more on the mind of the antagonist...
