I’m currently taking the Introduction to Screenwriting course from the University of East Anglia through Futurelearn, and as part of the course I’ve been working on a character outline which they have suggested we blog about. It’s a very vague sketch for something I’m working on but here it is:

The Characters Major Actions in Reverse Order

• Kisses the girl
• Kills nemesis
• Escapes execution and runs away with girl and friends
• Is tried and convicted
• Is captured in a trap
• Meets with girl and plans running away together
• Kills guard who attacked his mother
• Buries his mother
• Finds his mother dying after being attacked
• Celebrates his success with girl and friends
• Distributes supplies
• Carries out raid for supplies with friends
• Breaks in to see girl
• Plans raid with gang
• Watches supply route from port to stores
• Sees girl helping sick and poor
• Tells his mother about the girl
• Sees girl at port and fancies her
• Shares all he has with friends and mother
• Chased by guards with gang for petty thievery

Character wants:

• To survive
• Provide for his friends and family
• To be happy
• To fall in love

He is aware of his wants and needs, just may not know how to get them.

Character’s thoughts:

• Anti-intellectual
• Impulsive
• Free-spirited
• Finds it hard to focus
• Overthinks things
• Gets stressed
• Emotional

How would a casual acquaintance see him?

• Charming
• Friendly
• Life and soul of the party
• Popular

Important Physical Characteristics

• A perpetual cough and wheeziness
• Skinnier and on the shorter side
• Slightly malnourished