The Psychology of What Your Character Wants by Erin Steward #storymakers class notes

This was an excellent class on the psychology of need! 

Let's start with:

What does your character need??

CONFLICT: 

Why she can't have what she wants

PLOT: 

What she'll do get what she wants

ANTAG:

This character will try and stop her

CAST:

The ones who will help her

STAKES:

What happens if she doesn't get it?

Psychology of Needs

➤ Physiological needs (lowest level)

       Physical needs, central to plot

           Air, shelter, food, sleep, clothes 

I.E. Hunger Games

➤ Safety Needs 

    Personal security, employment, health, property, disaster

I.E. Jurassic Park 

*I am unsafe*

(These two levels are intrinsic to survival and we understand it) 

➤ Love and belonging

       Friendship, intimacy, family, the need to be accepted

I.E. Little Women

*I am unlovable*

➤ Esteem

    Respect, self-respect, statues, the need to achieve competence

I.E. Tom Sawyer

*I am worthless*

➤ Self-Actualization

    Desire to become the most, need to know 

I.E. Walter Mitty

*Life is pointless*

WOUNDS:

How the character sees the world 

    Create coping strategies we think are saving us, but actually pushes people away

I.E. Woody's lie: To be happy you have to be the favorite toy

        Buzz needs: love and belonging

 

Characters won't always climb steadily up

I.E. Katniss

        Sometimes she wants food, to keep Prim safe, stay alive, save Rue, win

        Katniss needs to survive on her own terms

NOW put what you've learned to use:

    Psychoanalyze your characters needs

        List the character's needs

        Which aren't being?

        Which is the strongest?

        What does she most?

        What does she assume to be true about self

WHAT 3 things does your character value most?

        Create the plot line by threatening all or some of their values

Middle sag?

        List each major decision character makes

        Make sure each is constant with original motivation

Analyze the side characters

EXAMPLE using Frozen 

THEME:

    Love

    Ice is locking out love

ELSA:

    Wound: Hurt Anna 

    Lie: People are better off without her

    Wants: Love from anyone

    Needs: to know what true love is

    

KRISTOFF:

    Wound: Abandoned

    Lie: Better off alone

    Wants: to be alone

    Needs: let love in

HANS (antag):

    Wound; Ignored

    Lie: you need power to be worthy of love 

    Wants: to be important

    Needs: feel loved and appreciated

OLAF:

    Wants and needs warm hugs