1. Whose story is it?
Before you type FADE IN, you must know your protagonist. This isn't just about a name and a job. It's about identifying the single character whose choices and actions drive the narrative forward. The audience needs a specific person to root for, question,
or follow on this journey.
2. What do they want?
Every compelling protagonist has a clear, external goal. This is the tangible thing they are trying to achieve—win the championship, find the treasure, get the promotion. This 'want' creates the story's engine and gives the audience a clear objective to track from beginning to end.
3. What do they need?
This is the internal journey. Often, what a character needs is at odds with what they want. They might need to learn humility, trust others, or face a past trauma. The conflict between their external want and internal need is where great character arcs are born.
4. What is stopping them?
Conflict is the heart of drama. What stands in the protagonist's way? This can be a specific antagonist—a villain with their own competing goal—or it can be an internal flaw, a societal pressure, or a force of nature. Without a powerful obstacle, there is no story.
5. What is at stake?
If the protagonist fails, what are the consequences? The stakes must be clear and significant, both personally for the hero and externally for the world around them. Will they lose their life, their love, their soul? If the stakes aren't high, the audience won't care.
6. What is the central question?
Early in the story, you must pose a dramatic question that will be answered in the climax. Will the detective solve the murder? Will the couple get together? This question hooks the audience and creates narrative tension, compelling them to stick around for the answer.
7. What is their fatal flaw?
A perfect hero is a boring hero. A fatal flaw—like hubris, insecurity, or a stubborn refusal to change—makes a character relatable and provides an internal obstacle they must overcome. This flaw should directly complicate their pursuit of their goal.
8. What is the world of the story?
The 'arena' or setting isn't just a backdrop; it's an active part of the story. How does this world work? What are its rules, its look, its feel? Whether it's a futuristic city or a small town, the world must feel consistent and influence the characters and plot.
9. What happens in the middle?
The second act is where many scripts fall apart. It can't just be a series of events. This section should feature rising action, where the protagonist's attempts to solve their problem lead to greater complications, forcing them to adapt and make increasingly difficult choices.
10. Why should we root for them?
Your protagonist doesn't have to be 'likeable,' but the audience must be invested in them. This can be achieved through empathy, by showing their vulnerability, giving them a relatable motivation, or simply demonstrating their exceptional skill. We need a reason to care.
11. How does their past haunt them?
No character exists in a vacuum. What 'ghost' from their past informs their present-day decisions and fears? This could be a past failure, a deep regret, or an unresolved relationship. Showing this visually, through actions and reactions, is far more powerful than explaining it.
12. What is their 'lie'?
What is the false belief your character holds about themselves or the world? For example, they might believe that 'money is the only path to happiness' or 'you can't trust anyone.' The story's journey should challenge and ultimately shatter this lie, leading to their transformation.
13. How do they change?
By the end of the story, the protagonist must be different. They should have confronted their flaw, learned their lesson, and either achieved their need or been tragically defeated by it. This change, or 'character arc,' is what makes a story feel satisfying and meaningful.
14. What is the theme?
Beyond the plot, what is the story really about? Love conquers all? Power corrupts? Your theme is the underlying message or idea, explored through the plot and the protagonist's journey. It should be expressed through the story's outcome, not stated in dialogue.
