A dynamic character is one that undergoes important changes or developments over the course of the story. They learn lessons, come to realisations and are ultimately a different person, be it for good or bad, by the end of the narrative. A static character is, put simply, the opposite of that. They do not experience growth and who they are at the beginning is who they are at the end. So here are some possible scenarios where you can use a static character.
When your plot is story driven
If the story is plot driven, meaning that the story moves forward as a result of action rather than character wants and needs, having static characters can provide a balance to that. You’re not going to have as much time to go into a character’s backstory due to all the action and potential explosions and that’s fine. The focus is on the events that are unfolding so they characters are less likely to change.
When your character has been there and got the t-shirt
An old mentor figure is more likely to be on the static side when they’ve been around the block a few times. They’ve learnt all the lessons and are now ready to pass them down to those willing to learn.
When your character is an NPC
Not every character needs to be complex or experience growth. When every character is competing for their own arc it can get super crowded. Having a static It makes sense then, that if a character is non-essential, they don’t need to have the same level of attention given to their development as a main cast member.
Are there other uses for static characters? Do you have many in your comic? Let us know in the comment section below! And join us on Sunday evening for our Quackchat at 5:30PM(EST)!
Don’t forget you can now advertise on DrunkDuck for just $2 in whichever ad spot you like! The money goes straight into running the site. Want to know more? Click this link here! Or, if you want to help us keep the lights on you can sponsor us on Patreon. Every bit helps us!
Special thanks to our patrons!!
Justnopoint - Banes - Rmccool - Abt Nihil - Phoenixignis - Gunwallace - Cresc - Pauleberhardt - Scruff - Dragonaur - Emma Clare - Dylandrawsdraws - Functioncreep - Eustacheus - Dillycomics - Barrycorbett - Sinjinsoku - Smkinoshita - Jerrie - Chickfighter - Andreas_Helixfinger
Tantz Aerine - Cdmalcolm1 - Epic Saveroom - Spacewitch
Alpharie
Genejoke
The Problem With Monopolies
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Sept. 28, 2019
8 likes!
©2011 WOWIO, Inc. All Rights Reserved Mastodon
Banes at 7:08AM, Sept. 28, 2019
Mind you, I didn't like the prequels, and George's ideas for the sequel trilogy sounded like they could have been awful. Lucas even said he knew a lot of fans would have hated his sequel trilogy. So I can't say I'd have wanted the Lucas trilogy either. Star Wars has been a painful fan experience for a very long time. But I still don't believe Star Wars fans are that impossible to please. I don't think it would have been impossible to make something that most fans, new and old, would have loved. Alas, it was not to be!
Banes at 7:00AM, Sept. 28, 2019
Brilliant article - And it IS surprising that Iger would be this forthcoming about what happened when Star Wars is in such a vulnerable position. Fascinating insight into the special kind of arrogance that exists in the super-elite. Iger wants to be President, too. Never gonna happen, Bob. Y'know, a lot of people would be completely unconcerned with what happened to the property they sold after being paid billions for it. But George Lucas is a sensitive guy, and an artist...and of course, was already mind-bogglingly rich. Lucas has been a pretty ruthless businessman, too - like you suggest, he's no idiot, and I'd imagine he was purposely and skillfully misled.
giovanni at 5:05AM, Sept. 28, 2019
i remember when Georges Lucas sold Star Wars. Man! EVERYONE was SO happy that he wouldn't ever touch star wars ever again. the internet literally party to see him gone. all because of his edits to a unimportant scene between han solo and a guy named greedo. so pointless but to everyone, it was "serious business". anyway, solely because of that, everyone was screaming their joy all over the internet at the sale and their joy at seeing someone else, ANYONE else handling star wars. Of course i could already predict that always angry fandoms like those will be outraged even worse as soon as something new came out. And lo and behold! my prediction came true. you were happy that georges lucas was gone? don't come crying back to him, you don't deserve it.
usedbooks at 4:51AM, Sept. 28, 2019
Because Lucas was doing so well with the franchise when he sold it?? Meh. It's a franchise whose fanbase has overgrown the actual product, so it doesn't matter who takes the reins. The older Star Wars fans will hate everything new. The direction it takes will determine who the new fans are. When you sell a work, it's not yours any more. It happens to smaller indie creators every day. Maybe Lucas thought he was too big for that, but it proves he's not.
Genejoke at 1:42AM, Sept. 28, 2019
Hmmm, Disney definitely tried to push too much star wars out too quickly, but as for what they've made I think the releases tell their own story. Essentially they've been trying too hard to make a fan pleasing cash cow and then having knee jerk reactions to fan backlash rather than just making genuinely good movies.
Gunwallace at 1:10AM, Sept. 28, 2019
Wait, there's Star Wars movie after Return of the Jedi? Ridiculous!
dpat57 at 12:31AM, Sept. 28, 2019
A pity he felt slighted, but when you sell your house, you don't get to complain about the color of paint the new owners decide to slap on it. I'm trying hard not to be cynical as hell, but how poor must these treatments have been, that Disney ignored them in favor of the dreadful stories they decided to film instead?