what's the definition of a flat character

Positive character arcs end with the protagonist as an improved version of themselves. It might take the form of an animated clownfish, but it’s just as great a character arc. In the latter, an overprotective, helicopter parent learns that he has to let go of his child in order for him to grow up.

It’s a huge, positive character arc set against a tragic backdrop. In the former, Oskar Schindler goes from being someone who only cares about making money to a man who willingly spends his fortune to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. Great examples of positive character arcs can be found in two very different movies - Schindler’s List and Finding Nemo. Positive character arcs are distinguished by some kind of victory or favorable growth. A protagonist faces some kind of conflict, learns an important lesson, changes for the better, and overcomes the internal or external flaw. These kinds of character journeys involve self-improvement, maturity, and growth. The positive character arc is just that - positive.

I would argue that a large percentage of movies and TV shows fall into this category. There are countless ways a character can change throughout the course of a story, but their character arc can typically be categorized into one of three types: positive, negative, or flat. Someone with a strong moral compass is tested until they ultimately choose villainy. Development Journey.Īll of these words refer to the same thing when we’re talking about the people who populate our stories - Character Arc.Ĭharacter arc simply refers to the change that happens to a character over the course of a story, whether it's an internal change or an external change.Ī grumpy curmudgeon becomes a ray of sunshine.

What's the definition of a flat character