The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna 283 | The Art of the Character Introduction
Jan 29, 2026
A craft supercut on how writers introduce characters through actions, voice, and point of view. Short moments, cold opens, and two-minute pilot pitches that capsule attitude and worldbuilding. Strategies include revealing belief systems via behavior, using lyrical or metaphorical entrances, and refining introductions late in the process.
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Show, Don't Describe
- Find a revealing piece of dialogue or action to show who the character is instead of writing a bio.
- Let the character speak or act to prove their traits rather than describing them.
Write Character Before Their Entrance
- Sometimes you must write the whole character first and then craft the intro to capture their contradictions.
- A surprising first action (like quoting King Lear in prison) keeps the audience curious.
Introduce Character Doing Their Thing
- Introduce each character in a moment that illustrates their core want or habit.
- Place them doing what defines them so the audience immediately understands who they are.
