Character Quote by Richard Shepard
“I think people are a mixture of everything. I like desperate characters because they do things that most of us normally wouldn't do. If a character is a scoundrel or a liar you think you know them, but then I can bring some emotion to them and they become much fuller than you ever imagined. So what I try to do is have a story where you don't quite know where it's going, and characters who you don't quite know where they're going.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Film Comment, 2015
Stories thrive on ambiguous characters and unpredictable plots, creating depth.
In simple terms: Complex characters make narratives richer.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty in storytelling.
Themes
storytelling
character development
uncertainty
Mood
creative
inquisitive
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- screenwriting workshops
- novel drafting
- character workshops
Key Concepts
narrative theory
psychology of fiction
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance mystery with coherence?
- What makes a character relatable despite flaws?
A Different Perspective
Predictability can also provide comfort and clarity.
