One of the things I've grown to appreciate when watching movies and TV shows is when the writers know exactly how many characters they need to tell a story.
A little more context: I was reading a friend's script last week, and it was full of interesting characters that took the screenplay in places I didn't anticipate. That sounds great, but when I read the last page, I racked my brain to think why I didn't connect with the idea.
I came to the conclusion that while the protagonist had an active journey, the more compelling stories and backstories were in the periphery. It was almost as if some of these characters needed to be rolled into one, deleted, or have the interesting parts of them stripped and added to our main character.
There was no following the law of economy of character in this script.
Today, we're going to discuss that law, delve into its application, and its meaning.
Let's get started.
The 'Law of Economy of Characters' Definition
The 'Law of Economy of Characters' is the idea that a screenplay should include only those characters essential to the story's progression.
Every character should have a clear purpose, whether it’s to drive the plot forward, reveal key information, provide insight into the protagonist's personality, or contribute to the thematic message of the film.
Characters who fail to serve a distinct purpose can clutter your story and...should be cut out.
Why Do Writers Need This Law?
The Many Saints of Newark
Warner Bros.
Let's get this straight up top, this "law" was meant to be broken. There's no hard and fast rules within screenwriting. I could sit here and list a ton of movies and TV shows with expansive characters that totally work.
But with many amateur screenplays I read, the issue lies within there being way too many characters and not enough stakes or characterization to go around.
That's why I find the 'Law of Economy of Characters' a vital principle for writers.
Examples of 'Law of Economy of Characters'
12 Angry Men
TCM
I wanted to highlight some titles I think actually do this incredibly well. It can be a balancing act to get all this in line, but if you take your time, your narrative will appreciate you.
- Breaking Bad (TV Series): This critically acclaimed series is a prime example of the economy of characters. Each character serves a purpose in Walter White's transformation and the unfolding of the plot. Even minor characters have distinct roles that contribute to the overall narrative, ensuring that no character feels superfluous.
- Gravity (2013 Film): Alfonso Cuarón's sci-fi thriller is a masterclass in minimalism, featuring essentially two characters played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The film focuses intensely on their struggle for survival in space, making every character moment crucial to the story.
- 12 Angry Men (1957 Film): This classic film demonstrates the law through a limited cast, all confined to a single location—a jury deliberation room. Each juror represents a unique perspective, contributing to the central theme of justice and moral ambiguity.
- Fargo (TV Series): The series, especially its first season, uses a limited number of characters, each intricately woven into the plot. Characters are introduced only as necessary, and each one adds significantly to the narrative's progression. There's a lot of them, but each has a role and all of it is centered on the main character arc.
- Moonlight (2016 Film): This Oscar-winning film is a study in character-focused storytelling. The narrative follows a single character through three stages of his life, with every supporting character serving to explore and reflect aspects of his identity and struggles, and coming back in and out of the story to show their impact on him.
Whether it's through developing multi-dimensional characters or employing them to serve multiple narrative functions, this law is fundamental in crafting effective and memorable screenplays.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
