{"id":225,"date":"2017-05-18T21:01:04","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T21:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jackjward.com\/?p=225"},"modified":"2017-05-18T21:01:04","modified_gmt":"2017-05-18T21:01:04","slug":"dimension-x","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jackjward.com\/?p=225","title":{"rendered":"Dimension X"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Story Toolkit Podcast<\/a> speaks about character dimension<\/strong><\/a> in several of their episodes. Dimensions provide depth and clear understanding as to how characters react in various scenes. So, what exactly IS character dimension? Dimensions take a character flaw and unveil the central conflict. I’m not speaking so much of the minor<\/a>, major<\/a>, or tragic<\/a> flaws but rather the inherent conflicts within that the could provide. Consider the Dark World RPG Character Flaw list<\/a>. Select one from random like “Abusive”. The site identifies the abusive flaw as such:
\nAbusive<\/strong> \u2013 Characterized by improper infliction of physical or psychological maltreatment towards another.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s an effective flaw. But to dimensionalize this flaw, why not give it some contrast in a more specific way. For example:
\nAbusive\/Caring<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Physical or psychological maltreatment towards adults. Listening, supportive, and affected by children.<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you see how such a dimension can create story possibilities? How that single dimension provides opportunities for depth and back story, as well as inform scenes?<\/p>\n

How Many Dimensions Do I Make?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The number of dimensions you provide your character depends both on the genre and the length of time you need to tell your story. Action Adventure requires only one or two dimensions. More than that and the multiple dimensions to your character could threaten to choke out your fast paced story. However, Doctor Who has been on the television for nearly sixty years and his character has upwards of five dimensions- with only a few being realized at a time, and often some more than others depending upon the actor. Some Doctor Who characters are absent minded and all but shambles, others are cool and aloof. Columbo<\/a> is only one dimension but he’s perfectly realized as a detective. Columbo is an absent minded bum whose clothes and appearance are disheveled but his mind is extraordinarily ordered as a master detective. You don’t need much more than this great contradiction to drop Columbo into mystery after mystery and have him save the day. But Walter White from Breaking Bad<\/a>\u00a0has at least five or six dimensions. He’s a loving father but he’s also a cold-hearted greed driven man. He’s a law abiding teacher and he’s a the feared criminal Heisenberg. He loves Skyler but he trust her with his secrets. Again, not all of his dimensions are realized every episode, but through the course of the long form story telling his central contradictions in the character. Key here is to always go as deeply as possible with the dimensions. Make them core and character defining. Go back and look at the Dark World list below and start moving your flaws into dimensions!<\/p>\n

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