Multiple Protagonist Stories: Plotting Guide and Checklist
The one hero model is not the only story structure model. Content dictates structures. Many TV series and films follow a group, not a
single hero. The group is precisely what the audience is interested in - a group of characters locked together in the same joint ‘adventure’ but reacting to it and to each other differently. You’ll find it easier to give each character enough limelight (thereby servicing the audience need for a story about a group) if you see each group member as a different version of the same protagonist. Think of each as like a member of a relay race team, where each character carries the baton in turn.
The main group ‘adventure’ (action line) will be either a quest, siege (including a social siege, like family or class) or reunion (or a combination of these) because these are plotlines that force a group together. They are often about unfinished business from the past too, often another adventure that created friction. A lot of backstory to get in!
Whether the work is a comedy or serious, the central plot issue will always be: ‘will the group survive?’ It will help you if instead of thinking: ‘a group of characters gets together AND…’ , you think:’ a group of characters gets together BECAUSE…’
Some group members will be more important than others. There will be one group member who triggers the joint ‘adventure’ (for example, Olive in Little Miss Sunshine or Gaz in The Full Monty). This person we can call The Instigator. There will also be a Traitor Within and an Outsider. These roles can be swapped between different characters throughout the work. Don’t think of the Instigator as the Protagonist or you’ll end up making the others stand around watching this person perform -and a classic case of characters in search of a plot. You must have an adventure (quest, reunion or siege). Interesting characters alone don’t make a good story. Six characters is about enough.
How to plot multiple protagonist storiesThere’s a lot to plot, and if the group has a history you will have to include a lot of backstory .You’ll need several story strands (albeit some are very short). Don’t try to interweave as you go. You’ll forget something. Create each strand separately, breaking them down into beats, then interweave using cards. Create an entire beat sheet before you write a word of dialogue Here are your strands.
- the Group’s ‘adventure’ in the present (a quest, reunion or siege)
- each group member’s activity in the Group adventure in the present (that is, what each does in the adventure)
- if relevant, the Group’s ‘adventure’ in the past(a quest, reunion or siege
- if there is group adventure in the past, what each group member’s did in it
- each character’s personality -flaws, strengths, alliances etc
- each character’s relationship to each of the others (so character A has an attitude to character B but we also have to see character B’s relationship to character A – and so on)
- each character’s relationship to each of the others in the present (which may be based on unfinished business from the past
- each character’s relationship to each of the others in the past (if relevant)
Linda Aronson’s Multiple Protagonist Checklist
Use this checklist as you go to remind you what elements you need to include. Brainstorm, then choose. Don’t grab the first idea. Under pressure, clichés feel right.
- Members of the group
- Instigator (person who triggers the quest or reunion or siege
- The Group’s ‘adventure’ in the present (a quest, reunion or siege)
- Each group member’s activity in the group adventure in the present (that is, what each does in the adventure)
- If relevant, the Group’s ‘adventure’ in the past (a quest, reunion or siege) If there is group adventure in the past, what each group member did in it Each character’s personality -flaws, strengths, alliances etc
- Each character’s relationship to each of the others (so character A has an attitude to character B but we also have to see character B’s relationship to character A – and so on)
- Each character’s relationship to each of the others in the present (which may be based on
- unfinished business from the past
- Each character’s relationship to each of the others in the past (if relevant)
