--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, screenwriting is all about…" description: "\"For me, screenwriting is all about setting characters in motion and as a writer just chasing them. They should tell you what they’ll do in any scene yo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77a/justin-zackham-50329_character_for-me-screenwriting-is-all-about-settin_2005549.jpg" --- # For me, screenwriting is all about setting characters in… ![“For me, screenwriting is all about setting characters in motion and as a writer just chasing them. They should tell you what they’ll do in any scene you put them in.” quote by Justin Zackham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77a/justin-zackham-50329_character_for-me-screenwriting-is-all-about-settin_2005549.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77a/justin-zackham-50329_character_for-me-screenwriting-is-all-about-settin_2005549.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77a/justin-zackham-50329_character_for-me-screenwriting-is-all-about-settin_2005549.jpg) > “For me, screenwriting is all about setting characters in motion and as a writer just chasing them. They should tell you what they’ll do in any scene you put them in.” [Justin Zackham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-zackham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Screenwriting is about creating characters that drive the story forward, acting on their own motivations. **In simple terms:** Characters propel the plot. Key Takeaway Write characters with clear goals. Themes storytelling character development motivation Mood creative inspirational Type artistic practical When to use this quote - film scripts - TV pilots - novels - video games - theatre productions Key Concepts narrative structure psychology creative process Questions to Reflect On - What drives your characters? - How do they react to conflict? A Different Perspective Characters can be flat if not well‑crafted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters Motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-motion-3552350/) [Chasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chasing/) [Motion Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motion-writer-3552348/) [Scene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scene/) [Screenwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenwriting/) [Screenwriting Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenwriting-setting-3552347/) [Script](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/script/) [Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting/) [Setting Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting-characters-3552349/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Writer Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-just/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“I had been a writer all of my life, every waking second, and now that part of my life was over. 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Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [I never wanted to be a writer; I just had stories I wanted to share so I learnt how to write and kept going.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sefi-atta/i-never-wanted-to-be-a-writer-i-just-had-stories-i-wanted-to-share-so/) [Sefi Atta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sefi-atta/) > [I wasn't thinking about becoming a children's writer. I just have an idea and if it sounds like a kids' book I'll write a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baddiel/i-wasn-t-thinking-about-becoming-a-children-s-writer-i-just-have-an/) [David Baddiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baddiel/) ## More by Justin Zackham > [I was out in L.A. and I had gone to film school and I was out here for a couple of years. 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