Analysing Character

Development
in Short Films
Starting Broad:
Character Archetypes

WHAT IS AN ARCHETYPE? HOW DO WE USE THIS IN OUR

ANALYSIS?
Common Archetypes we find are:
The Romantic
The Hero
The Villain
The Innocent
A very typical person or thing that we The Ruler
would be familiar with. It is a broad idea The Explorer
that can be further narrowed down by
analysing stereotypes of the archetype. By using a 'standardised' character society is
familiar with we can more easily look at how
Archetype: School Jock the director/author has conformed or deviated
Stereotype: "Dumb School Jock" from this societal expectation, and ask
ourselves why.
Narrowing down:
What can we
look for?

How is the character presented to BEHAVIOUR & SPEECH APPEARENCE

us in the film/story?

Look at the basic things and

compare how these change
throughout the progress of the
film's narrative.

DECISIONS RELATIONSHIPS
What can we
look for?

Start with the small, basic things and

compare how these change
throughout the film. BEHAVIOUR & SPEECH APPEARENCE

Consider:
When do these things change?
What is the pivotal point for the
character?

Why does this change take place?

Is it internally or externally
motivated?

What does the change signify in

terms of views and values?
DECISIONS RELATIONSHIPS
 How would we talk about this?
DESCRIBE MOMENT OF CHANGE
There are three general ways Describe the moment in the
to describe your character: plot where the change occurs:
Narrative Arc
Values, moral, beliefs Key scenes
Physical and Emotional
Traits Describe why or how the
Personality Traits change occurs:
Internal or External Motivation
Prompt
Outcome (immediate,
present, or future?)
VIEWS AND VALUES
What's the big idea?
How do this change conform
or deviate from our
expectations of the
established character?
What does the change show
is valued by the
director/author into broader
society?
How do Film Devices
show this?