Analyzing Protagonists and Story Dynamics

The video tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to analyzing stories by identifying the protagonist, understanding character desires and conflicts, examining antagonistic forces and values, and observing the dynamic changes in values throughout the story. It also highlights the importance of setups and payoffs in storytelling, offering insights into the techniques of fine writing.

What is the primary role of the protagonist in a story?

• To be the antagonist

• To make the crisis decision

• To narrate the story

• To provide comic relief

How can you identify the protagonist in a film?

• By their screen time

• By their hairstyle

• By their dialogue

• By their costume

What is the protagonist's role in the climactic action?

• To narrate the story

• To carry out the crisis decision

• To provide comic relief

• To change costumes

What is a key question to ask about the protagonist's desires?

• What do they eat?

• What is their job?

• What do they want consciously?

• What is their favorite color?

What might contradict a protagonist's conscious desire?

• Their accent

• Their subconscious desire

• Their wardrobe

• Their pet

What is a complex character likely to have?

• A single desire

• No desires

• Conflicting conscious and subconscious desires

• Only subconscious desires

What should be analyzed after the protagonist takes action?

• The lighting

• The weather

• The soundtrack

• The forces of antagonism

Where can forces of antagonism come from?

• Only from nature

• Only from technology

• Inner conflict and relationships

• Only from society

What is at stake in a scene?

• The protagonist's costume

• The values

• The camera angle

• The background music

What is the core value of a story?

• The value that, if removed, leaves no story

• The special effects

• The dialogue

• The setting