Character interviews

Definition

Character interviews are in-depth discussions or written Q&A sessions with a character, aimed at uncovering their motivations, backstory, and personality traits. This process not only helps writers develop their characters in a more nuanced way but also allows for deeper understanding of how they might react in various situations, influencing story direction and team collaboration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Character interviews can reveal hidden aspects of a character that might not be immediately obvious through dialogue or action.
2. This technique encourages writers to think critically about their characters' backgrounds and how those backgrounds influence current decisions.
3. Character interviews can serve as a valuable tool in collaborative writing, allowing team members to align their understanding of each character's motivations.
4. Conducting a character interview can lead to unexpected plot developments as new insights into character behavior emerge.
5. Writers can use fictional interview formats, like questionnaires or conversation scripts, to structure the character interview effectively.

Review Questions

• How do character interviews enhance the development of backstory and history for characters?
  • Character interviews are essential for enhancing backstory and history because they prompt writers to ask specific questions that uncover details about a character's past. By exploring a character's motivations, experiences, and relationships through these interviews, writers can create a richer narrative that informs why characters behave the way they do. This deeper understanding allows for more authentic interactions within the story and provides context for the character's actions.
• In what ways do character interviews facilitate teamwork during the breaking of a story?
  • Character interviews facilitate teamwork during story breaking by providing a clear framework for discussing character motivations among writers. When all team members share insights gained from these interviews, it leads to a collective understanding of the characters’ complexities. This collaboration can spark new ideas and plot directions, ensuring that all contributions are aligned with the character's established traits and histories, ultimately strengthening the narrative.
• Evaluate how character interviews might impact the overall storytelling process in terms of both plot development and character consistency.
  • Character interviews significantly impact storytelling by ensuring that plot developments remain consistent with established character traits and backstories. As writers gain insights into their characters through these interviews, they can craft plots that feel organic and believable. This careful alignment helps maintain character consistency across various situations, enhancing audience engagement. By grounding narrative decisions in thorough character understanding, writers are better equipped to create compelling arcs that resonate with viewers.

Related terms

backstory: The history and background information about a character that shapes their present actions and decisions.

character arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character throughout the narrative, showcasing their development or change.

collaborative writing: A process where multiple writers work together to create a story, often sharing ideas and insights to enhance the overall narrative.