A character in a film is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person, in which case the distinction of a "fictional" versus "real" character may be made. Derived from the Ancient Greek word χαρακτήρ, the English word dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones by Henry Fielding in 1749. From this, the sense of "a part played by an actor" developed.
Characters are the essential building blocks of stories. They drive the plot, create conflict, and evoke emotions in the audience. Characters can be complex and well-developed, or they can be simple and one-dimensional. They can be protagonists (the main characters) or antagonists (the characters who oppose the protagonists).
Good characters are believable and relatable. They have their own unique personalities, motivations, and goals. They also change and grow over the course of the story. This is known as character development.
Characters are important because they help us to understand the world around us by seeing ourselves in others. Characters can teach us about life, love, and loss. They can also inspire us.
Here are some examples of famous film characters:
- Protagonists: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz), Harry Potter (Harry Potter), Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump), Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)
- Antagonists: Darth Vader (Star Wars), the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz), Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter), Captain Ahab (Moby-Dick), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)
These are just a few examples, of course. There are many other great film characters out there. It is up to each individual viewer to decide which characters they like and which characters they don't like. But one thing is for sure: characters are essential to the art of filmmaking.