I am fascinated by character change...

[nikdun]

To me what works best is when you see the Hero realize he has changed.

For example he notices himself/herself that some deep change has occured inside himself and in his outer perceptions. It is that moment that truly SHOWS and reveals the change in your Hero. The change we all desire so much and crave as an audience.

Its the bit before the end of the movie before we all wrap everything up.

That's WHERE you show the character change. The learning point.

Point of info - The change at the end of the movie needs to be foreshadowed at the beginning of the movie, otherwise it stands out like a sore thumb. Change that has no meaning. You with me? A jump is not a change.


Best wishes,

Nick Dunning
Head of Development
************************
Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Hollywood film Institute
New Producers Alliance

[Mightypen71]

I agree that character change is a worthwhile and required component. As I mess around with ideas and versions of screenplays, I use the symbolic change within the protagonist as impetus to drive the crisis/climax. Such as he always drives over one of the neighbor kid's toy when going to work in the morning. But a little after a traumatic Act 2 climax, he stops, picks it up, marvels at it and places it gently on the kid's porch with a thank you note. Then he goes on determined to right all wrong in his life as the toy is symbolic of whatever he's doing. Or something like that. I don't think he should ever say, "Gee, I've always been a prick running over this toy. But now I'm a better guy, so I won't because I've changed." It's inferred by his actions.
-Mighty

[TheRuleofThirds]

Actually, I think this is a rule more than anything. The only reason I say that is b/c you have to know when and why to break it. You could make a really good point with your script if the character doesn't change, even though he should've. That way, you piss the audience off because you meant to all along. But if you want them to feel warm and toasty at the end...change is good.

[NikeeGoddess]

james bond never changes or has a character arc - but, none of us have the rights to write for him so...

travis bickle sisn't change either - a whole diff kind of character

also - sometimes it works when the character doesn't realize they've changed but the audience does. that "aha!" moment can seem ridiculous if too obvious.

[zeprosnepsid]

What's great about Bickle is that he doesn't change necessarily but the world's view of him changes. Very cool trick.