ARC of Motion

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Taken from Journal entry:
26th December 2023

What moves us into action? Is it a push or a pull? Are we drawn towards something, or are we moving away from it? Are we propelled by desire, or repelled by discomfort?

In truth, all movement is both— a motion toward one thing will lead to a movement away from an other. But for clarity, it’s often helpful to identify the primary direction. What is it that drives us? What is it that drives a character? Even when stillness dominates, the world around us shifts, and our moment of stillness will be driven by our hope of getting closer or further from something.

For creators and performers, this understanding can be a valuable tool in shaping a character. Movement, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, reveals a character’s inner life and their perception of the world around them.

What Drives a Character?

To understand what activates a character, we must ask the same questions we ask of ourselves:

• What are they moving toward?

• What are they moving away from?

• Do they see themselves as the pilot of their journey, or do they believe they’re being acted upon by external forces?

A character’s movement—both literal and metaphorical—reflects their internal forces. Their beliefs, values, and worldview shape their trajectory. Are they driven by hope, longing, or ambition? Or are they escaping fear, rejection, or shame?

Push or Pull: Active or Passive Forces

When creating a character, explore whether they are being driven by internal or external forces. Are they pulling themselves toward something they desire, or are they being pulled by an external force? Are they pushing themselves away from something, or are they pushed by pressures beyond their control?

Consider these every day examples:

• I pull myself to the gym because I am attracted to the idea of my future self, but my laziness resists.

• Desire pulls me toward the ice cream store, yet I resist.

By naming and identifying something we can see outside of ourselves, in this case ‘Desire’ or ‘Laziness’, that acts on us, we can activate what ‘I’ do in response.

These dynamics give us something to react and play with.

Attraction and Repulsion

At the heart of a character’s movement lies the interplay between attraction and repulsion. These forces define their desires and fears:

• Are they drawn toward something they want or feel they lack?

• Are they repelling something they fear or want to get rid of?

Are we driven by “I want to be…” or “I don’t want to be…”

These both exist simultaneously but where we place our focus tells us a lot about the way we interact with the world.

Understanding what a character is attracted to or repelled by not only clarifies their motivation but also brings their struggles into focus.

Perceiving the World as a Character

A character’s perception of the world shapes their every move. Are they someone who feels in control, actively shaping their destiny? Or do they believe the world happens to them, leaving them reactive rather than proactive?

This worldview determines:

• The quality of their movement: Do they move with purpose or hesitation? Are their gestures deliberate or chaotic?

• The rhythm of their choices: Are they quick to act, or do they wait for the world to decide for them?

• Their relationship with resistance: Do they fight against obstacles or yield to them?

This perception isn’t static—it can evolve as the character grows or regresses. Exploring these shifts allows us to craft a character with depth and nuance.

Reflect: How Does Your Character See the World?

Take a moment to consider your character. Are they primarily driven by what they want to gain, or by what they want to avoid? Are they the ones generating motion, or do they feel pushed and pulled by forces beyond their control?

By exploring these questions, we uncover the deeper currents of motivation, resistance, and desire that make a character truly come alive. Movement becomes not just an external action but a reaction to their internal and external world—a tangible expression of who they are and what drives them.

How does your character perceive the world? And what moves them within it?