Character Change in the Screenplay Text

: The Semiotics of Writing and Analyzing Character

Abstract

This thesis explores the nature of character change in screenplays, from both a creative and a theoretical perspective. It critiques the screenwriting manuals’ approach that usually sees character change either as a mere substitution of dominant personality traits or a spiritual rebirth, and proposes a detailed, holistic model both for analysing and composing character change in screenplays. Furthermore, through the writing of a feature screenplay, the thesis explores how written language constructs and develops character in the text. It addresses the main critical debates in regard to literary character, argues for a dual mimetic-textual approach and employs narrative theories, practicebased research and close textual analysis informed by semiotics to analyse character in the screenplay text. Thus, through a critical analysis and reevaluation of character in
narrative theory, a close examination of the screenplay text, and the creative process of writing a screenplay, this thesis places character at the centre of screenplay narrative and approaches character change in a holistic way, as a constantly-shifting, complex network of various, intertwined mimetic attributes. Thus, it fills an important gap in screenplay and screenwriting studies where character change is often ignored or presented in narrow, vague or overly-simplistic ways. Moreover, by highlighting the centrality of character change and supporting a literary view of the screenplay text, this thesis can broaden the ways the screenwriter thinks and writes about character. If the screenwriter has a broader, holistic understanding of character change and acknowledges the literary nature of the screenplay, s/he can use all available linguistic
tools for maximum effect when s/he describes and develops the character on the page.
The creative work produced for this thesis is a detailed exploration of the multi-faceted nature of character as constructed in the screenplay text through various mimetic attributes that are assigned to it. It demonstrates how the process of writing words on the page informs the understanding of character development in a long, non-linear process where both analytical, conceptual considerations of character and the pragmatics of writing are of equal importance.

Date of Award	4 Jan 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Bangor University
Supervisor	Gregory Frame (Supervisor)