4.3 Characterisation

Every film has a MAIN character and a MAJOR character.
Conventionally there is usually only one main character in a film, but there can be many major characters.

Examples of MAIN and MAJOR characters:

STAR WARS: A new hope (1977)
Main character: Luke Skywalker
Major characters: Obi-one-kenobi, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Princess Lela

CASINO ROYALE (2006)
Main character: James Bond
Major characters: Miss Moneypenny, M, G, Le Chiffre, Felix

ROCKY III (1982)
Main character: Rocky Balboa
Major characters: Adrian Balboa, Apollo Creed, Mickey, Clubber Lang (Mr T)

RED DRAGON (2002)
Main character: Agent Will Graham
Major characters: Hannibal Lector, Francis Dollarhyde, Agent Crawford, Blind girl

SEVEN (1995)
Main characters: Detective William Somerset
Major characters: John Doe, Detective David Mills


ANTAGONISTS are usually major characters whereas PROTAGONISTS are the main characters.

Examples of protagonists are:
STAR WARS: Darth Vader
CASINO ROYALE: Le Chiffre
ROCKY III: Clubber Lang (Mr T)
RED DRAGON: Francis Dollarhyde
SEVEN: John Doe


Character Descriptions

Here are some examples of character descriptions...

Age: 34
Appearance: Long ginger hair, kilt, body armour, blue war paint on face.
Characteristics: Physically strong, brave, aggressive, intelligent.
Accent: Strong Scottish accent.
- William Wallis

Age: 64
Appearance: Beige mack, suit, shirt and tie, cardigan, pork pie hat.
Characteristics: Methodical, intelligent, professional, confident.
Accent: Louisiana, America.
- Morgan Freeman

Age: 17
Apperance/costume: Plain dresses, dowdy look, long ginger hair, pale freckly skin.
Characteristics: Shy, timid, withdrawn, polite, calm, scared.
Accent: American, mid-west.
- Carrie