Character Introductions
There’s an art to crafting character intros that'll make your audience sit up and say, "Whoa, who's that?" You've got precious few seconds to make your characters unforgettable. So let's make 'em count!
The Grand Entrance: More Than Just Showing Up A killer character entrance isn't just about looking cool (though that never hurts). It's about revealing the essence of who this person is before they even open their mouth. Think of it as their theme song but in visual form.
Entrance Techniques That Pack a Punch:
The Action Intro: Nothing says "badass" like dropping your character into the middle of the mayhem.
"Mad Max: Fury Road" introduces Furiosa in a high-speed chase, immediately establishing her as a formidable warrior.
In "The Dark Knight," the Joker's chaotic bank heist shows his cunning and unpredictability right from the start.
"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" opens with Ethan Hunt breaking out of a Russian prison, showcasing his resourcefulness and skill.
The Subtle Reveal: Sometimes less is more. Remember the way "Lost" introduced us to the enigmatic John Locke? That quiet moment of him sitting on the beach, staring out at the ocean, spoke volumes.
In "Breaking Bad," Walter White's initial intro as a mild-mannered high school teacher in his tighty-whities hints at his hidden desperation and potential for transformation.
"No Country for Old Men" introduces Anton Chigurh through a quiet, unsettling scene that sets the tone for his character's menace.
"True Detective" reveals Rust Cohle through his contemplative, brooding moments, hinting at his complex inner world.
The Iconic Pose: Give your character a signature stance or movement. Hannibal Lecter's unnervingly still and upright posture in "Silence of the Lambs" tells you everything you need to know about his control and menace.
"The Matrix" introduces Neo with his iconic, hunched-over computer screen pose, encapsulating his hacker persona.
"The Terminator" introduces the T-800 with its cold, mechanical stance and unyielding march, establishing it as an unstoppable force.
"Gladiator" presents Maximus with a powerful, stoic stance in the arena, highlighting his strength and honor.
The Environmental Storytelling: Show, don't tell. Introducing the ordinary world before the extraordinary journey begins.
"Inception" introduces Cobb in a dreamscape, blending reality and illusion to set the stage for his character's expertise and the film's themes.
"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" shows Harry living under the stairs, immediately evoking sympathy and curiosity about his future.
"Up" introduces Carl and Ellie through a silent montage that tells the story of their life together, establishing Carl's motivations and emotional journey.
The Subversion of Expectations: Pull the rug out from under your audience. Think about how "The Usual Suspects" introduces Verbal Kint as a meek, unassuming character – SPOILERS: A far cry from the criminal mastermind he's revealed to be.
"Fight Club" presents Tyler Durden as a charismatic, rebellious figure, only to reveal his true nature downstream.
"Gone Girl" initially portrays Amy as a perfect wife, subverting expectations as her true, complex character is revealed.
"Pulp Fiction" opens with Pumpkin and Honey Bunny as small-time robbers, later showing their connection to the larger narrative.
Keep 'Em Active! A grand entrance is just the beginning. Keep that momentum going. Your characters should always be doing something that:
— Reveals their personality
— Advances the plot
— Shows off their skills
— Creates conflict or tension
Passive characters are as exciting as watching paint dry. Keep 'em active, give 'em goals, and throw obstacles in their way!
Pitfalls to Dodge:
The "Do Nothing" Entrance: If your character's first appearance has them just standing around looking pretty, you're wasting precious screen time.
"Captain Marvel" avoids this by introducing Carol Danvers during a Kree training session, highlighting her strength and determination.
The Info Dump: Avoid having characters spout their entire backstory in their intro. Mystery is your friend!
"The Mandalorian" introduces the titular character through action and sparse dialogue, keeping his past mysterious.
The Cliché Overload: Yes, the slow-motion power walk looks cool, but we've seen it a million times. Find a fresh twist!
"Deadpool" parodies this trope by having Wade Wilson walk away from an explosion in slow motion, only to get hit by a piece of debris.
Character Introduction Examples - Some of you Boomers may remember how on "Heroes" we introduced us to the cheerleader Claire Bennet. That iconic shot of her waking up on the autopsy table told us everything we needed to know about her powers and resilience.
In "Sherlock," Holmes' introduction through a rapid series of deductions immediately showcases his brilliance and eccentricity.
"Kill Bill" opens with the Bride in her wedding dress, bloodied and beaten, setting the stage for her relentless quest for revenge.
"The Hunger Games" introduces Katniss Everdeen in the woods, hunting and providing for her family, establishing her resourcefulness and strength.
"Hannibal" is introduced with a chilling shot of him standing perfectly still, silhouetted against the light, forever searing his persona into our brains.
"Daredevil" introduces Matt Murdock through his confession in a church, revealing his inner turmoil and sense of justice.
"Game of Thrones" introduces Daenerys Targaryen through her vulnerability and determination, setting up her growth into a powerful leader.
"The X-Files" introduces Fox Mulder in a dark, cluttered basement office, immediately setting up his obsession with the paranormal.
Make character entrances so memorable that audiences will be quoting and GIFing and meme-ing them for decades. Crafting intros that'll make your audience head off to Spirit Halloween for comic-con-worthy cosplay.
