If there’s one thing that won’t change, it’s that everything is always changing. Everything from the future, the environment, the weather, and especially we the people will constantly change from year to year, day to day, and even as we speak! Whether it’s for the better or worse, it’s always happening.

This constant is the foundation for what’s called the Character Arc.

A character arc is the measure of how much a character changes over the course of a story. Character arcs exist in every form of storytelling, including screenplays, TV pilots, novels, graphic novels, even news stories, and more. The reason the character arc appears in just about every form of storytelling is because audiences enjoy experiencing dramatic change and dilemma; It’s why we read the newspaper.

One area of study that really illuminates the importance of character arc is mythology. The first basic steps a mythological hero takes involves facing changes to the ordinary world and balance of life. For example, after Luke Skywalker learns of his Aunt and Uncle’s death in Star Wars: A New Hope, he makes the decision to take on an adventure with Obi Wan and leave his ordinary world behind. “There’s nothing for me here now,” he says. By jumping to the end of the movie, you can grow a better understanding of what Luke’s character arc is in the first movie: While we first met Luke as a young boy with dreams of becoming a star pilot, he undergoes change, which includes, loosing his family,  venturing from home, learning the force, rescuing Princess Leia, loosing a friend, making new friends, and not only making his dream of becoming a star pilot against the empire a reality, but also destroying the Death Star! This change from ordinary boy to extraordinary hero is a fine example of a character arc.

While the above example is one of the best to study, not every arc needs to be as extreme. As the screenwriter, you’re free to explore the possibilities. Consider the arc Rose experiences in Titanic. When we first meet Rose, she’s imprisoned and helpless by her class and family, but after she meets and learns from her relationship with Jack, she becomes empowered, strong, and free. Another good example of character arc on screen can be found in William Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean. Will transforms from a common black smith’s “assistant” to a hero risking his neck, and ultimately becoming a pirate himself, in order to rescue his love, Elizabeth Swan.

As you read this, you’re probably experiencing your own character arc as a screenwriter. Just as Luke learned the art of the force, you’re striving to learn storytelling and screenwriting.

While a character arc definitely enhances the central character and protagonist, it’s certainly not necessary for every character. For example, Jack Sparrow definitely doesn’t do all the much changing throughout the Pirates series. He’s just as selfish in the end as he is in the beginning.

When designing your story, it’s imperative to understand the importance of character arc, for it’s what drives your story. Without the character arc and change, your character will most likely be boring to read about. If they don’t make decisions, face dilemma, and take on challenges, then what’s the point? Character arc informs story just as it informs theme, so be sure you character changes over the duration of the story being told.

You don’t need to know how it happens if you believe in exploring the story as you write, but it’s wise to know the two ends of the spectrum. What’s your character’s yin and yang?

If you’re still not sure what character arc is, consider asking yourself how you’ve changed in the past five or ten years. Look at old pictures. Read your old stories or screenplays. Discover your own arc, and you’re bound to grow a better understanding of what it is. (SXR)

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