• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Screenwriting.io

Screenwriting.io

Answering basic questions about screenwriting.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index
Generic filters
Exact matches only

What is a protagonist?

Tagged: characters, dramatic theory, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, structure, terms

In middle school English classes, we learn that “protagonist” is a fancy word for “main character” or “good guy.” In film terms, this isn’t always the case.

The protagonist is the person who changes over the course of the story.

Often, this is the main character. It is very common for this person to be a good guy, too. But neither of these have to be true.

In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, for example, Charlie is the main character, but Willy Wonka is the protagonist.

More from johnaugust.com

  • What’s the difference between hero, main character and protagonist?
  • On protagonists
  • If we played by the rules right now we’d be in gym
  • Why is Charlie so passive?

Answer Index

script scriptwriting screenwriting screenplay formatting terms film presentation structure business writing software TV WGA Final Draft guild characters length credits FDX FDR union scene headings dramatic theory outlines arbitration adaptations fountain pdf highland producers managers Celtx guru Movie Magic rights agents awards pitching short film festival iPhone iPad directors prelap

Primary Sidebar

Switching from Final Draft to Highland 2

Switching from Final Draft
to Highland 2 – Get the PDF

© 2025 Screenwriting.io — All Rights Reserved.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index