character-driven
Personality propels narrative
Character-driven describes stories, narratives, or games where the personalities, motivations, and emotional arcs of characters take precedence over plot mechanics or external action.
In a character-driven novel or film, events unfold primarily because of who the characters are and how they change, rather than through elaborate plotting or spectacle.
The show is character-driven, so don't expect car chases.
This approach contrasts with plot-driven storytelling, where external events propel the narrative forward.
Recounting events aloud
- protagonistStory's central figure
- arcCurved line segment
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- developmentProgress toward maturity
plot · drama · fiction · screenplay · novel · dialogue · backstory · ensemble
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- protagonistStory's central figure
- arcCurved line segment
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
development · plot · drama · fiction · screenplay · novel · dialogue · backstory · ensemble · literary
performance
Carrying out a task
- portrayalDepiction of someone
- methodOrderly way of doing
- interpretationAssigned meaning
nuance · depth · actor · role · ensemble · cast · emotional · authentic · layered · subtle
RPG
Explosive launcher or fantasy genre
- roleplayAdopt another's perspective
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- choicesAvailable options to pick
dialogue · avatar · quest · backstory · NPC · companion · morality · decisions · narrative · immersive
- literary fictionliterary realism, contemporary fiction, novella, novellas, short story
- film stylesindie, blockbuster, formalism, French New Wave, neo-noir
- ChekhovAnton Chekhov, The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, playwright, Uncle Vanya
- Realist Cinemaneorealism, location shooting, social realism, non-actors, documentary style
character-drivenplot-driven
Narrative powered by events
event-driven · action-oriented · story-driven · narrative-driven