ABSTRACT
When and how are the main characters introduced? In what context? What does the audience understand, feel, know, want to know? The possible ways of introducing a character. Relationship of character introduction and story exposition. Connection of main character to revealed story. Introducing main characters in franchise movies and TV shows. Protagonists introduced as children (Boyhood). Concealing the face of a main character. Characters on an initial mission. Audience misdirection (Roma). “Announcing” a character in their world/predicament (Zama). Concealing, then revealing, a main character (Three Colors Blue). Hiding the significance of a character when announced. Reasons for this (Roma). Dangerous situations offer effective character introductions. Introducing stars. Contrasting the introductions of main characters (The Insider). Audience experiences NPOV of character before character introduced (Rear Window). Giving each character introduction its place and moment (Notorious). Introduction of a character conveying their mindset (Somewhere, Moonlight, Psycho, Three Colors Blue). The early elimination of a character. Making the audience wait to see a main character (Midsommar, Another Year, Once upon a Time in Hollywood). Storyboarding the introductions of main characters. Repeating introductions later in a film.
