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What's that? You would like another thread by me? Sure! Here you go. The following tweets are a list of questions I flesh out before I outline and BEFORE I write a script. This is a long one, bear with me! MC= Main Character, People = secondaries. 1/
This sounds like DUH, right? But this question helps: Where is the story located? The setting in rural Mississippi is way different than a city in Iceland. Be specific. It helps. 2/
What time period is your story set in? IT MATTERS. 3/
What is the weather like in your world? Does the weather affect your MC? (I've seen this overlooked a LOT) 4/
How many people live in your MC's world? Are they in a tiny western town? A big city? A highrise corporate tower with an office full? 5/
The people in your story, WHERE do they live? Huts? Penthouses? Bunkers? This helps you out more than you realize in defining the world. 6/
How do the people make a living? Are they poor bankers? Rich farmers? This helps you flesh out the economy of the characters. 7/
What's the education status of the people? AND your MC? Will this create a conflict between your MC and the people? 8/
If your MC goes beyond his/her/their regular borders, what is that like? What lies beyond? In Jaws, Sheriff Brody is terrified of water, yet he has to fight the shark in the shark's waters. 9/
Give a detailed geographical description of the world. Tolkien made a complete map of Middle Earth to help him 'see' where the characters needed to be. 10/
What's the architecture like? If your MC starts out in one setting and moves to another, what's that like? 11/
This one REALLY helps me out: What sights, sounds and SMELLS are distinctive to your settings? A subway that reeks of urine is completely different than the smell and sound of an old bookstore. 12/
How diverse is your world's population? How does this affect your MC? (some of this stuff you may never write into your script, but the backstory helps you understand more of your MC, which is the goal). 13/
Your MC's family life. What's that look like? Is your MC scorned? Banished? Loved no matter what? Is there sibling rivalry? 14/
What's the fashion of the day? What does your MC like to wear? Flashy clothes? Or do they cover themselves up to become invisible to others? 15/
What's the political situation of your world like? Who's in charge? Are they a benevolent leader? A dictator? A terrifying warlock who demands submission for his subject's survival? 16/
What does your MC eat? Is that easy to get locally? What's the cuisine like? Any food allergies or cravings? 17/
Does anyone speak foreign languages? If yes, why? And what are they? If your lost MC is in 1920's Germany and can only speak English, that's an obstacle. 18/
Does your MC have any superstitions, religious or spiritual beliefs? What role do any of these have in the culture your MC is in? What do the people believe? 19/
Holidays? Does your MC celebrate them? Do they partake of the summer/winter solstices? How about the people in your MC's world? 20/
What are some popular forms of entertainment in your MC's world? Gazing at a lake? Karaoke? Going to a theater?Sandra Bullock takes her squad to a club in Miss Congeniality and it makes perfect sense. 21/
Are there differences between the younger and older generations? Is this hard on your MC? Is it due to physical limitations? Political beliefs? Ethics? Culture? 22/
What does the MC want? More than anything in the world? Now, what does your MC NEED more than anything in the world? Scrooge wants money, but he NEEDS to change his ways. Does your MC do it? Does it help or hinder? 23/
Your MC has an antagonist. What's that relationship? Darth Vader is Luke's father (sorry for that spoiler!) In the Queen's Gambit, she and the antagonist are brought together by chess. What's going on with your characters? 24/
What does your antagonist want more than anything in the world? In The Avengers, Thanos wanted to "cleanse" the universe to bring "order". 25/
I have a worksheet I'll share at a later date, but this hopefully will help some of you! I hope it does! Have a great weekend!
