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Character Development Quotes

On what makes a character feel real.

These quotes come mostly from filmmakers discussing character development, including how horror films like The Shining and The Ring handle it differently from genre shock value.

One of the greatest things about 'Continuum' is how great the writing is; our writing room is one of the most talented ones I've ever had. It really helps me as far as character development because they paint a very...

Quotes by Richard Harmon

There have been discussions of doing 'The Demon Cycle' on both large and small screen scale, and while there is no project currently in development, I think the series has both the big imagery and complex character development to have...

Quotes by Peter V. Brett

Most horror films fail to scare me. I think 'The Ring' plays more as a psychological thriller. It's smarter, there's more character development and some of the themes explored go a little deeper.

Quotes by Martin Henderson

When I'm making documentaries, I think a lot about how fiction films play. I want them to have the pacing, the twists and the character development of fiction films.

Quotes by Marshall Curry

Action Quotes

One of the things I love about the character development in 'Power' is Courtney A. Kemp's subversive use of stereotype.

Quotes by Lela Loren

Most of my films have a lot of character development and exploration, whereas in most horror movies the characters are just cardboard.

Quotes by Larry Cohen

In horror, character development is often pushed aside in favor of the shock value. The best genre movies to me are movies like The Shining. You had a connection to the characters in that film.

Quotes by Joshua Leonard

Ten years of character development affords you a lot. You get a chance to dig deeper and deeper and deeper into a person.

Quotes by Jon Tenney

When I read a good story, I often start thinking, 'Should I live my life according to what this character chooses and values?' It makes me think. I feel like I grew up to be a more mature person while...

Quotes by Jenova Chen

Best Quotes

The biographical novel sets out to document this truth, for character is plot, character development is action, and character fulfillment is resolution.

Quotes by Irving Stone

Working with George Miller was an education. It was eight college degrees in character development and directing all at once.

Quotes by Cory Barlog

TV is a different animal these days. You can bring together really smart writing and directing, in-depth character development and really meaty political and emotional stories.

Quotes by Connie Nielsen

Everything you write makes you better. But if you really need a tip, here's one: a good story begins in opposition to its ending. That means you work out how it finishes first, and then begin the story as far...

Quotes by Chris Wooding

I'm a lot more focused on character development and showing more of my character's emotions and persona inside the ring rather than just going move after move after move.

Quotes by Bobby Roode

Big Quotes

There've been many a season where I couldn't get work, and I think that you learn character development and you learn how to really want what you do in life when you can't really do it.

Quotes by Anthony Michael Hall

Frequently Asked Questions

What do these character development quotes discuss?
Mostly filmmaking, comparing how horror movies balance character development against shock value, and how a decade on one role allows deeper development.
Do the quotes mention specific films?
Yes, speakers reference titles like The Shining and The Ring when describing character development done well within the horror genre.
Is character development only discussed in horror?
No, one speaker also compares fiction films to documentaries, noting they want documentary work to share the pacing and character development of scripted stories.
What is the general view of shock value here?
One quote suggests shock value is sometimes prioritized over character development in horror, treating the two as being in tension rather than working together.
What related quotes pair with this theme?
If you enjoy this angle on storytelling, Chance touches on related ideas about opportunity within a long creative process.

A few speakers reflect on how years spent on one role let character development go deeper. See Action and Best for related film-adjacent themes.