SPOILER ALERT: This series of posts is spoiler-heavy. But, seriously, the movie is from 1997!!! If you haven’t watched it by now…
I was doing some work on my script the other night, compiling a list of characters, major and minor, and outlining their arcs. It was interesting to note that not all of them arc.
Does every character in your script need to arc?
I don’t believe so.
Minor characters will probably not get enough screen time to develop an arc. Some characters have a specific function, and if they arc, it could interfere with that function. Not to mention that if every character changes and develops, it would lead to a confusing, diluted story.
I do, however, think that some characters should be presented with the opportunity to arc, and fail to grasp the opportunity. This is one way of highlighting the growth of the hero. If a supporting or antagonistic character has a similar flaw to the hero, their lack of growth can be a signpost to the growth occurring in the hero.
There is an interesting example of this in L.A. Confidential.
Sid Hudgens, a slippery, sleazy character initially shares some qualities with Jack Vincennes, one of the protagonists.
Hudgens slips Vincennes money in exchange for the opportunity to photograph him busting celebrities. It’s a scheme that works well for the two of them. Hudgens has material for his sleazy gossip-mag, and Vincennes gets some extra cash and notoriety.
When a young actor Vincennes busted as a result of a Hudgen’s tip-off winds up dead, however, Vincennes is deeply affected. He realises that there are consequence for his actions. It serves as a wake-up call to Vincennes, pricking his conscience. We see his attitude change and he experiences growth as a police officer and a person.
When Hudgens receives news about the death of the young actor, however, he is flippant and only concerned with the possibility of making a story of the young actor’s death.
The contrast between Hudgens and his lack of growth serves to highlight the character development in Vincennes.
So, not every character needs to arc. In fact, the change in a protagonist can be highlighted by having a supporting character fail to arc when faced with a similar dilemma.