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I would say that Villains in a loose sense are always necessary to a story since usually the conflict between whatever is your antagonist (Villain) and your protagonist (hero) will be driving the plot.
That said, antagonist (villain) is quite a loose term since it could be anything from a inanimate storm the protagonist must survive through to a serial killer like Hannibal Lector, to an bloodthirsty shark, or even the protagonist themself.
To break it down further you generally have 3 types of Villain characters: ‘Non-thinking’ things, Other ‘thinking’ things, and the protagonist themself.
‘Non-thinking’ things are like your bloodthirsty horror movie monster, the Indominus Rex from Jurrasic World or an inanimate storm. Each of these villains either follows its instincts or just the coarse of nature. However they still play an immediate threat to the protagonist since usually the thing is either trying to kill the protagonist (storm, horror movie monster, Indominus Rex) or is destroying something important to the protagonist (storm, Indominus Rex).
’Thinking’ things are probably the type of villain you are thinking of. These are generally humans (unless sci fi or fantasy where it might be a Goblin or futuristic AI model) who have actual thoughts and motivation that sets them at odds with the protagonist. These characters often have some sympathetic qualities, a redemption arc, or absolutely disturbing qualities/mindsets.
If your really stuck on how to make one of these guys a good starting point to figure out what aspect of the protagonist they oppose (ie: If your protagonist is Robin hood the Good Thief your villain might be the Sheriff of Nottingham a corrupt cop). As in the example this can be done by making the antagonist somewhat of an inverse. Then you will want to figure out the villain’s mindset and why they do the evil they do (for the sheriff he is greedy). This can be extremely complex if you want but it doesn’t have to be.
Another more complex way to make a villain is to make the villain want something good (or maybe something similar to the protagonist) but go about it in a not so good way (ie a villain who want to eliminate pain from life by taking away people’s free will). The method is similar in that you determine their motivation, determine why they have that motivation, and then maybe flesh the villain out a bit more with quirks and normal charrie stuff.
The third type of antagonist is by making the antagonist be the protagonist (or at-least a part of them). This is usually done by making the protagonist’s story be about their struggle to overcome some sort of negative trait or habit. A potential example: A protagonist who struggles with workaholism. Their desire to spend more time with their children is antagonised by their tendency to overwork themself.
You can have multiple of these types of antagonists in a story though there is usually one primary one which drives the stories main focus.
Feel free to ask any questions if my reply is confusing. I’m sorry if it is.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestThat is a little weird… are you in collage?
Not yet (wish). I’m just applying right now and History major is what I’ve been putting in the prospective major slot.
Thats, all…?
Yes. Unless it’s folk horror…
Ive never read or watched Monty Python (wait is there a book AND a movie?) But from what I have heard it sounds well made.
It’s just a movie.
Wait… WHAT! This wasn’t on my list!!!! HOW DID THIS GET HERE?! *franticly looks around in papers as sirens flair in the background with people in white lab coats running everywhere looking terrified*
🤣🤣 Hmm. Sorry to gaslight you. Should have added a bigger warning label.
AH I KNOW THIS WAS NOT THERE EITHER! oh well, I kinda agree. but at the same time its most of the time heartwarming, also You like anime?! I have watched only really two anime’s (If avatar the last Airbender counts 😅. I know it doesn’t) But right now i’m watching 86!
I think Avatar the Last Airbender counts (I don’t really know, I haven’t seen it. I just get clowned on by my other friends who like anime for going through childhood and somehow not watching it).
I would say I like anime, although I have only recently gotten into it. I’ve only watched a couple and was trying to play through Persona 3 Reload. Right now I am kind of not playing Video games or TV until I finish my college applications.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestHorror – I think horror is pretty amazing when done well. I don’t usually watch horror movies, but a good Steven King book can be phenomenal. Like others have said I feel like (just like any genre) it comes down to how the stories are executed and if it has a good message.
Historical Fiction- I don’t usually read, which is weird because I am probably going to be a history major.
Folklore- It’s fun.
Humor- Often meh, occasionally 🌟. Napoleon Dynamite and Monty Python and the Holy Grail are some of the golden stuff.
Tall Tale- I don’t really know what you mean here… Isn’t this just folklore but with a little bit less fiction?
and
Realistic Fiction- I’ve come to appreciate it. I think there is a beauty in realism.
(Bones Genres)
Thriller – I often feel like I confuse this one with horror sometimes (could be because Steven King writes in both genres 🤔). Probably one of my favorite genres. I do just love when it all comes together in the end.
Fantasy (Not Romantasy) – Oh how I love thee. Fantasy is beautiful since it can easily allow exploration of topics we might not otherwise want to discuss using real-world terms (or be unable to). It also allows us to rewrite the rules of reality to fit the stories’ needs. Reading fantasy is a true joy, though I do feel I have a preference towards the darker ones.
Romance – I have a love-hate relationship with this one. Often it is horrendously done. For some reason, people think they ca just invade all the other genres with it in not-so-great ways. And yet we also have Toradora, probably one of my favorite Anime.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestThanks, I really did enjoy the game and some of the arcs definitely gave me some interesting character ideas. Persona 5 is basically a game where you play as a Japanese High school student who has the power to break into peoples minds and steal their corrupted desires.
It also has really good music.
Through darkness,
light shines brightest@anyone
(I know this technically sorta isn’t a movie/tv show but I feel like JRPGs technically sorta count as anime)
I just finished Persona 5 The Royale and it was amazing. 🤩 I don’t know if anyone else on here would have played the game but I really liked it. The final act had a surprisingly good finale and I definitely felt really immersed in the story of Joker and the Phantom Theives.
Minor spolers:
Loved the Akechi ark. He was such a good antagonist/antihero. Legit almost cried the first time he died. Also nothing beats that moment when the Phantom Thieves are fighting Yaldabaoth (think I spelt that right) and Mishima just starts cheering for you in the middle of a crowd. Maruki was also a cool juxtaposition against the phantom theives (loved the final part with him in the final cut scene and had a good laugh when Joker and Maruki punch each other on the cracking glass thing. Was also super scared Maruki was going to die when the glass cracked under him).
Sorry. This was kind of a rant.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestI’d say as long as the guy draws something that reflects his personality it will be fine. Think about why he draws what he draws. If you need help there maybe think about why you draw what you draw and extrapolate that onto him (and see if you can find a deeper reason than the things you draw being girly.)
Personally I could see him drawling any number of things for various reasons. Maybe he draws flowers because he is the son of a prolific gardener and has always been fascinated with flower structures. Maybe he draws swords because his main job is in the armory. He could draw planets because he has a fascination with astronomy. Any of those options would work.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestMessed up your tag ^^
No problems there. Thanks for fixing it though.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestLol. Probably is more of a personality thing. I am INFP.
Yea, I feel like the over correction thing is a big issue in modern media. I personally didn’t really realize it in rings of power but more because I feel like the female MC of that show just has the general level of plot armorieness of fantasy warrior characters who aren’t written very well.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestSadly I have suspended my crunchy roll subscription until after college apps are done.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestI agree with most of what @calyhuge has already said in regards to Aaron.
My main advise is to just follow his current character design and/or think about how dudes in your own life would approach the situation.
I feel like from my experience and what you’ve provided than if Aaron chooses to go down the greif hole might eventually develop like survivors guilt. He will probably try to hide his feelings but every so often find himself crying to himself in a corner or being really depressed ish.
I feel like at some point bringing in another character to become Aaron’s friend and help him out of his greif would probably be the best solution. There would need to be some reason they bond (maybe similar situations or they both like playing chess or possibly even they are both stuck working a terrible job cleaning pig styes. It could really be anything). Eventually Aaron would probably open up after getting to know the oyher guy well enough.
Hope my tangent helps (sorry if it is irrelevant).
Through darkness,
light shines brightestI think what @whalekeeper and what @mineralizedwritings has said is really good.
For me a lot of my characters draw inspiration from either A.) Historical figures/real people or B.) other fictional charcers or C.) Specific theoretical archetypes. Often times when I struggle with character personalities I return to the scraps of others which make them up.
As for Male and Female characters I guess I haven’t given it much thought. I prefer not to define either gender, rather usually working off of pieces of people from real life or other media.
If it is my personal experience as a guy you wish for I should probably preface Whaley similar warning though I will add that from my experience most men who act extremely manly are usually either a.) obnoxious or b.) purposefully doing such.
From my personal experience as a dude I would say that I am quite an emotional person, though I generally only reveal this to those extremely close to me. I would also like to remind you all that just because I am a man doesn’t mean I am very physically imposing or strong; if any of you go to the gym you can probably beat me in an arm wrestle (or however else you measure strength). I will also say that from my personal experience I seem to make friends less quickly than at least my sister but it also seems that my qualification and value for friendship is much deeper. It is also my opinion that at least with my friends who are dudes we usually do more play teasing or complaining than when I am hanging out with my friends who are girls.
If you guys have any more questions I am happy and willing to try to answer them.
I would also personally recommend trying not to over obsess with your character’s gender.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestI have also found the concept of TV show story bibles to be a good basis for how I do most of my plotting.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestThanks for sharing. Your plot board looks amazing.
I would also agree that the Faytag pyramid is a good starting ground. It gets really interesting when you start thinking about the story as more of a Faytag mountain made up of multiple litter Faytag peaks.
My biggest piece of plotting advice is probably to first figure out who the central cast is and define them and their motivations. I also find it helpful to start my plotting from big moments (ie beginning, middle, climax) and then fill in the in betweens as opposed to going in a strictly linear design model.
Through darkness,
light shines brightestLove that article. Also love the bee (and you know its exstintions)
Through darkness,
light shines brightestI will start by saying I am kind of a techhie.
I also ❤️ Open AI (ChatGPT)
But I would also say using AI to write things or do non-prototyping imaging is extremly unethical. Mostly just because of the way the AI works (a quick google search (or honestly asking chaGPT) can probably explain this better than me).
In terms of writing use I only really use chatGPT as thesaurus (which it is insanly good at (just double check word meanings)) and for name generation.
Outside of writing I really enjoy just messing around with it and asking it strange questions or trying to get it to play games. It does these tasks to varying degrees of actual success but it is nonetheless a great bordom buster when I am just waiting around with my phone.
Through darkness,
light shines brightest
