Character Arc
A Character Arc is how a character changes and grows throughout a story. It's a fundamental concept in storytelling that shows how characters develop from the beginning to the end of a script. Think of it like a character's personal journey - they might start as shy and become confident, or go from being selfish to selfless. Writers use character arcs to make stories more engaging and to help audiences connect with the characters. When looking at scripts or writer portfolios, you'll often see this term mentioned alongside "character development" or "story structure."
Examples in Resumes
Developed compelling Character Arcs for main characters in a 10-episode television series
Created detailed Character Arcs and background stories for video game characters
Received praise for complex Character Arcs in feature film screenplay
Typical job title: "Screenwriters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Screenwriters
Online Communities
Professional Organizations
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Can you describe a complex character arc you've written that received positive feedback?
Expected Answer: A senior writer should be able to discuss a detailed example of character development, explaining how they mapped out the character's journey, incorporated meaningful conflicts, and tied it to the overall story themes.
Q: How do you handle multiple character arcs in an ensemble piece?
Expected Answer: They should explain how they balance different character journeys, ensure each arc complements the main story, and maintain audience engagement across multiple character developments.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the essential elements of a strong character arc?
Expected Answer: Should mention character motivation, conflict, growth points, and resolution, with examples of how these elements work together to create meaningful character development.
Q: How do you ensure a character's transformation feels natural rather than forced?
Expected Answer: Should discuss pacing character development, creating believable obstacles, and using events in the story to justify changes in the character.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between internal and external character arcs?
Expected Answer: Should explain that external arcs involve visible changes in a character's circumstances, while internal arcs deal with emotional and personal growth.
Q: Can you describe the three basic types of character arcs?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain positive change arcs (character improves), negative change arcs (character declines), and flat arcs (character remains steady but affects others).
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of character development
- Writing character backgrounds
- Understanding story structure
- Creating simple character transformations
Mid (2-5 years)
- Managing multiple character arcs
- Creating complex character motivations
- Incorporating character development into plot
- Writing compelling character dialogue
Senior (5+ years)
- Developing innovative character journeys
- Managing ensemble cast development
- Mentoring other writers
- Creating memorable, award-worthy characters
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic character development concepts
- No examples of completed scripts or character work
- Lack of understanding about emotional character journeys
- No knowledge of different types of character arcs
Related Terms
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