The “Law of the Economy of Characters”

One of the things I've learned to appreciate from watching movies and TV shows is that the writers know exactly how many characters they need to tell a story.

Some more context: I read a friend's script last week and it was full of interesting characters who took over the script in places I didn't expect. This sounds great, but when I read the last page I was racking my brain as to why I couldn't relate to the idea.

I concluded that while the protagonist had an active journey, the more compelling stories and backstories were peripheral. It was almost like some of these characters needed to be merged into one, deleted, or the interesting parts removed and added to our main character.

The law of character economy was not followed in this script.

Today we will discuss this law, look at its application and what it means.

Let's begin.

The definition of the “Law of the Economy of Characters”.

The “law of character economy” states that a screenplay should only contain the characters that are essential to the progression of the story.

Each character should have a clear purpose, whether it is to advance the plot, reveal important information, provide insight into the protagonist's personality, or contribute to the film's thematic message.

Characters that don't serve a specific purpose can lead to a confusing, unfocused narrative.

And that's why they should be cut from the story.

Why do writers need this law?

The Many Saints of Newark

Warner Bros.

To be clear: This “law” should be broken. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to screenwriting. I could sit here and list a ton of movies and TV shows with rich characters that absolutely work.

But the problem with a lot of amateur screenplays I read is that there are way too many characters and not enough stakes or characterization to go around them.

That’s why I think the “law of character economy” is an important principle for writers.

Let's look at what it can give your script:

1. Narrative focus: One of the main reasons for adopting the “Law of Character Economy” is to maintain clarity and focus in the narrative. Each character in a story should have a specific purpose, whether it is to advance the plot, develop another character, or enhance the thematic depth of the story. By limiting the number of characters to the essentials, authors can avoid confusing the audience and diluting the impact of the main characters and plot.
2. Character development: With fewer characters, writers have more room to develop each one more fully. This leads to richer, more nuanced characters. When each character is essential, each one has the opportunity to be more fully expressed, allowing for a deeper emotional connection with the audience.
3. Efficient storytelling: The “Law of Character Economy” promotes efficient storytelling. Eliminating unnecessary characters makes the story leaner and more effective. This efficiency is especially important in screenwriting, where time is limited and each scene must help advance the story or develop characters.
4. tempo: Fewer characters can result in a faster pace and more engaging narrative rhythm. Stories that are overstuffed with characters often suffer from pacing issues, as the narrative must accommodate multiple character arcs and interactions, potentially slowing the progress of the main plot.
5. Audience engagement: A story with clearly defined characters is easier for the audience to follow and emotionally empathize with. Too many characters can overwhelm the audience, making it difficult to remember who is who and feel emotionally connected to the story.
6. Creative discipline: The “Law of Character Economy” forces writers to think creatively about how they use characters. It encourages the fusion of roles where appropriate and ensures that each character's presence in the story is justified, pushing writers to be more imaginative and thoughtful in the design of their characters.
7. Genre conformity: Different genres have different requirements for character usage. In a thriller, for example, a tight character roster can increase tension and focus the audience's attention on a central conflict. In contrast, a character-based drama might focus more on the depth and relationships of a smaller cast. Adhering to this law helps authors effectively meet genre expectations.

Examples of the “law of character economy” in film and television

12 angry men

TCM

I wanted to highlight a few titles that I think do this incredibly well. It can be a balancing act to balance all of this, but if you take your time, your narrative will be appreciated.

1. Breaking Bad (TV series): This critically acclaimed series is a prime example of character economy. Each character serves a purpose in Walter White's transformation and plot development. Even supporting characters have different roles that contribute to the overall narrative and ensure that no character feels superfluous.
2. Gravity (2013 film): A masterclass in minimalism, Alfonso Cuarón's sci-fi thriller essentially features two characters, played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The film focuses intensely on their fight for survival in space, making every moment of the characters crucial to the story.
3. 12 Angry Men (1957 film): This classic film demonstrates the law through a limited cast, all confined to a single location – a jury deliberation room. Each juror represents a unique perspective and contributes to the central theme of justice and moral ambiguity.
4. Fargo (TV series): The series, especially the first season, uses a limited number of characters, each of whom is elaborately integrated into the plot. Characters are only introduced when necessary and each one contributes significantly to the progression of the narrative. There are many of them, but each one has a role and it all revolves around the main character arc.
5. Moonlight (2016 film): This Oscar-winning film is a study in character-driven storytelling. The narrative follows a single character through three phases of their life, with each supporting character serving to explore and reflect on aspects of their identity and struggles, dipping in and out of the story to show their impact on them.

By ensuring that each character plays an important role in the narrative, screenwriters can create more focused, compelling, and emotionally engaging stories.

Whether it's developing multi-dimensional characters or using them for multiple narrative functions, this law is fundamental to creating effective and memorable scripts.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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