49 | Michael Arndt's Act 1 Masterclass
The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
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Creating Compelling Characters through Passion, Selflessness, and Unjust Incidents
Characters become compelling when they are portrayed as irrationally passionate about something, face unjust incidents, and exhibit selfless acts. An example like Amelie resonates as she embarks on a journey triggered by finding a box of children's toys, which leads her to perform random acts of kindness for strangers, evoking empathy and support from the audience. This selflessness in characters like Amelie drives the storyline forward and engages the viewer's emotions, making them root for the character's growth and transformation.
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