How to Write a Found Footage Script: Part Two

In the last post we discussed the foundations of writing a script. Today we’re going to get into character development.

Why Character Development Matters

Character development in scriptwriting isn’t just about giving your protagonist a cool backstory or a few snappy lines—it’s about creating a fully fleshed-out human that the audience can root for, fear for, or even love to hate. In the found footage genre, where things often go south fast, having strong character development makes all the difference between a forgettable face on the camera and someone whose journey you actually care about.

Understanding who your character is—and more importantly, why they’re going through this particular nightmare at this moment—is the secret sauce to making your found footage script truly resonate with an audience. Without a clear sense of what drives them, your character is just another anonymous face behind the camera, and the audience won't care if they make it out alive.

When you, as the writer, grasp your character’s motivations, fears, and flaws, it gives every scream, every shaky breath, and every bad decision real emotional weight. It’s not just about what’s happening, but why it matters to them right now, in this moment. Did they ignore red flags, lead the group into danger, or are they battling their own inner demons while running from literal ones? This depth keeps your audience hooked, because the horror isn’t just about survival—it’s personal.

Knowing your character isn’t just about slapping a name on a scared face and calling it a day—it’s about digging into their messy, complicated life and understanding why now is the time they’re getting thrown into this nightmare.

Linda from INVITED: A Case Study in Character Depth

Take Linda from INVITED for example (no spoilers, promise!). She’s a recovering alcoholic, totally isolated, and feeling like everyone’s bailed on her. She doesn’t just stumble into this terrifying situation for kicks—she’s here because she needs to. She needs to remember who she was before her life spiraled out of control, and honestly, she needs to be broken down in order to build herself back up. Her journey through the horror is really about learning to believe in herself again. That’s what makes her story hit hard. Your character should feel the same—like this isn't just random bad luck, but a necessary, if terrifying, step in their personal growth.

Real Stakes: Making the Audience Care

So where do you start when writing your character? Start with motivation—ask yourself, why is your character doing what they’re doing? What drives them to make the (usually terrible) decisions they make? A character with clear motivations, even if flawed, keeps the audience invested in their survival. Whether they’re looking for redemption, trying to prove something, or just trying to make it out alive, their decisions should always reflect that deeper goal.

Next, give them flaws. No one wants to watch a perfect, bulletproof character—where’s the fun in that? Flaws make characters relatable, and even more important, they create opportunities for growth. Maybe your protagonist is overly skeptical, ignoring every obvious warning until it's too late (leaving audiences yelling at them through the screen). Or maybe, like Linda in INVITED, they’re battling something internal, like addiction or grief. Their personal baggage should heighten the stakes, making every encounter with the supernatural (or just plain scary) more personal.

Lastly, evolve your characters. Horror is the perfect setting for transformation. Maybe they start off scared and weak, but by the end, they’re fighting back—physically or emotionally. Let the chaos and fear shape them, forcing them to confront their fears, traumas, or failures head-on.

When you know who your characters are and why they’re here, the horror hits harder. Instead of just hoping someone survives for the sake of plot, the audience roots for them because they need to survive—on an emotional, even existential, level.

Fleshing Out Your Character: Key Questions to Ask

Pick a few of these questions to dive into when fleshing out your character:

1. Why this character and why now?

   • What makes this character the right protagonist for this story at this moment in time?

2. What is this character's goal?

   • What does the character want to achieve by the end of the story?

3. What is at stake for this character?

   • What will the character gain if they succeed, and what will they lose if they fail?

4. What are the character’s strengths and weaknesses?

   • How do these traits help or hinder their journey?

5. What is this character’s backstory?

   • What past experiences have shaped who they are today?

6. What internal conflict does this character face?

   • What internal struggles or fears must the character overcome?

7. What external conflict does this character face?

   • What external obstacles stand in the character’s way?

8. What is the character’s primary motivation?

   • Why does the character want to achieve their goal?

9. How does the character change over the course of the story?

   • What is the character’s arc, and how do they evolve from beginning to end?

10. What relationships are important to this character?

    • How do the character’s relationships influence their decisions and growth?

11. How does the character’s personality affect the plot?

    • In what ways do the character’s traits drive the story forward?

12. What moral or ethical dilemmas does the character face?

    • How do these dilemmas challenge the character and their beliefs?

13. What secrets does the character hold?

    • How do these secrets impact their actions and relationships?

14. What are the character’s fears and desires?

    • How do these fears and desires motivate the character’s actions?

15. How does the character’s environment affect them?

    • How does the setting influence the character’s behavior and decisions?

16. What are the character’s quirks or unique traits?

    • What makes this character distinctive and memorable?

17. What does the character need versus what they want?

    • How do their needs and wants create conflict within the story?

18. How does the character interact with the antagonist?

    • What is the dynamic between the character and their primary opposition?

19. What is the character’s greatest fear?

    • How does this fear drive their actions and decisions?

20. What is the character’s defining moment?

    • What key event or realization shapes the character’s trajectory?

21. Why is this character motivated to film everything?

    • What personal or professional reasons do they have for documenting their experiences?

22. How does the character react to the escalating tension?

    • What are their coping mechanisms under stress or fear?

23. What unique perspective does this character bring to the footage?

    • How does their background or personality influence what and how they film?

24. What role does this character play in the group dynamic?

    • Are they the leader, skeptic, comic relief, or something else?

25. How does this character's personal arc intersect with the found footage format?

    • How is their growth or decline captured through the lens of the camera?

That’s it for character development! In Part Three, we’ll dive into the 3-act structure specifically for found footage films.