Scriptwriting Character Development 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What term describes a character's deepest desire that drives the entire story?
- Want (Correct answer)
- Need
- Flaw
- Arc
Correct answer: Want
A character's 'want' is the conscious goal they pursue throughout the story.
Question 2: In screenwriting, what is a character's 'wound'?
- A past trauma that shapes their behavior (Correct answer)
- A physical injury shown on screen
- A villain's attack in act two
- A subplot involving loss
Correct answer: A past trauma that shapes their behavior
A character wound is a past traumatic event that influences the character's fears, flaws, and motivations.
Question 3: What is the difference between a character's 'want' and their 'need' in scriptwriting?
- Want is conscious; need is what they must learn for growth (Correct answer)
- Want is emotional; need is physical
- Want drives act three; need drives act one
- There is no meaningful difference
Correct answer: Want is conscious; need is what they must learn for growth
The want is what the character consciously pursues, while the need is the deeper truth or change required for their growth.
Question 4: Which of the following best defines a 'character arc'?
- The internal transformation a character undergoes by story's end (Correct answer)
- The physical journey a character takes
- The number of scenes a character appears in
- The backstory revealed in flashbacks
Correct answer: The internal transformation a character undergoes by story's end
A character arc describes the internal change—emotional, moral, or psychological—a character experiences throughout the story.
Question 5: What is a 'flat character' in the context of screenplay writing?
- A character who does not change or develop throughout the story (Correct answer)
- A character with no dialogue
- A character who appears only in act one
- A character written without a backstory
Correct answer: A character who does not change or develop throughout the story
A flat character remains essentially the same throughout the narrative, showing little to no internal growth.
Question 6: Which technique is commonly used to reveal character without exposition in a screenplay?
- Showing behavior and choices under pressure (Correct answer)
- Adding a flashback in act one
- Writing long internal monologues
- Using a narrator to explain the character
Correct answer: Showing behavior and choices under pressure
In screenwriting, character is best revealed through action and choices, especially under pressure, rather than told directly.
Scriptwriting Character Development 1
What term describes a character's deepest desire that drives the entire story?