viHow exactly does mindmapping apply to character development?
Mindmapping can be an excellent tool that mimics the way the human brain juggles and generates ideas. It’s especially useful when tackling new characters in your scripts because the multi-faceted nature of human beings is well-suited to this expansive, fun approach.
Some key takeaways on how mindmapping can work for screenwriters.
1. Creating a character mindmap allows you to collect all the information about your character in one place. Throw away those index cards! And anyway, what creative collaborator or director wants to go through a bunch of your used index cards when it comes time to communicate. A mindmap collects all the relevant information about your character in one place that can be shared to everyone on the team.
2. Mindmapping spurs organic growth of your character. Filling out tentacles concerning the character’s relationship with her father can lead to a question: did he pay for her education? The answer to that may impact whether your protagonist chose a public or private university and how those choices trickle down to how she handles conflicts now.
3. Transcending Description. Let’s see it! All screenwriters appreciate a pithy description that provides insight into the character’s style, values, or history. Mindmapping allows you to search stock footage imagery and see it. If your director or producer just isn’t “getting it” show them the mindmap where you’ve dropped in a stock footage image of her ex-boyfriend or parents or the style of sweater that makes her most comfortable. That extra effort can create more distinct, three-dimensional characters once the movie is shot!
If all this sounds interesting, please check out the video in the screenwriting section of our members-only Patreon page.