Category Archives: Villain Checklist

The Villain Checklist: Consequences

Posted on Jan 5, 2018 by NFB

And so we reach the final curtain. We have followed the villain’s path through introductions, evolutions and action, and even the final defeat (if they are to be defeated). But there remains one final thing to go over, and that … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Escalation

Posted on Nov 24, 2017 by NFB

Over our last few entries we have explored the nature of the villains relationship with the hero, but now, as we enter the final stretch of our analysis, we must turn back to the villain’s path specifically. To be even … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Equal With The Hero

Posted on Oct 6, 2017 by NFB

This should be a short enough one, because the implantation of it in some form is so obvious that is almost defies the alternative. We’ve talked about how the hero and the villain should be a contrast in some way, … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Contrast With The Hero

Posted on Sep 22, 2017 by NFB

We’ve had a look at various facets of what makes a good villain, but for the next two entries, we need to shift the goalposts a little bit, and take about the most important relationship that the antagonist has: that … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Credibility

Posted on Aug 18, 2017 by NFB

And we’re back after a bit of a hiatus. In the last entry, I discussed the importance of an antagonists capability, that they have the means, in whatever format, to turn their goals into reality and to threaten the hero … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Capability

Posted on Jun 30, 2017 by NFB

We have established our villain, we have given him some character, now we need to start looking at what makes them loom large over the audience, in terms of the power or abilities they have, their willingness to use these … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Justification

Posted on Jun 16, 2017 by NFB

In most kinds of stories, we know who the hero is. We know this because the hero is generally the main character, and is generally easy to spot relative to the bad guy. The hero is trying to stop nefarious … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Consistency

Posted on May 26, 2017 by NFB

Character is everything in stories, in my opinion. You can have the most thrilling plot imaginable, the most dazzling special effects, the most triumphant score, but if you don’t have the characters, for the audience to root for, hiss against … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Risk

Posted on May 12, 2017 by NFB

In establishing what our villain wants and how they will go about getting it, the story we are experiencing will hopefully do one other thing of immense importance. All going well, it will establish the critical element of risk: Risk … Continue reading →

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The Villain Checklist: Goal/Motivation

Posted on Apr 28, 2017 by NFB

Having gone through the villain’s introductory elements in detail, we now turn more to the nitty-gritty of the villain’s character. And perhaps nothing is more important for villains than their goal and motivation in the story. As with many things … Continue reading →

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