Every time you introduce a character in your story, you have an opportunity for humor.  Quirky characters are familiar, engaging, and create memorable moments in presentations.  Darren is joined by Television Writer & Producer Chris McGuire to discuss the people in our stories and how to make them unforgettable.  

 

SNIPPETS:

• Use quirky characters to create memorable moments that enhance speaker relatability with the audience.

 

• Character traits are the qualities that make a character memorable.  (Brave, smart, loyal) Quirks are exaggerated, unusual or unexpected qualities that add humor or intrigue to stories.

 

• Base your characters in reality and avoid making logical jumps that lead the audience to “crazytown.”

 

• Use the following quirks to make your characters memorable: Distinctive habits, ususual interests, eccentric speech patterns, exaggerated fashion and physical traits.

 

• Good joke formats for explaining quirks include “They were so [QUALITY]m that BLANK.” Or, “They’re the type of person who [GIVE EXAMPLE OF QUIRK]

                                           

• Use comedic twists to introduce quirks

 

• Quirks usually involve something the characters in your stories don’t know about each other.

 

• When using twists, you set expectations and then subvert them.

 

• Use sparingly or risk the audience noticing the “magic trick.”