If you are a screenwriter, you know how important it is to build well-rounded characters that engage the audience and drive the story forward. But how do you come up with original and realistic characters that have depth and personality? One possible way is to use the horoscope for screenplay characterization.
What is a horoscope? A horoscope is a chart that shows the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars at a given time and place. It is used by astrologers to interpret the impact of these celestial bodies on human affairs and personalities. According to astrology, the 12 zodiac signs relate to different periods of the year. Each sign has its own characteristics, traits, wants, and ways of viewing the world.
By using the horoscope as a tool for screenplay characterization, you can give a zodiac sign to each of your characters and use it as a guide to developing their personality, behaviour, relationships, and goals. This can help you build more diverse and complex characters that have strengths, weaknesses, conflicts, and arcs. It can also help you avoid writing boring or stereotypical characters that lack originality and interest. In this article, we will show you how to use the horoscope to build well-rounded characters in a screenplay. We will first go through the 12 zodiac signs and their traits. Then we will explain how to choose a zodiac sign for your lead, antagonist, and supporting characters. Finally, we will provide some tips on how to use the horoscope effectively and artistically for screenplay characterization.
The 12 Zodiac Signs and Their Traits
There are 12 zodiac signs in astrology, each with its own dates, symbols, elements, traits, and planets. Here is a short overview of each sign and its personality traits. You can also find examples of celebrities who belong to each sign.
Aries (March 21–April 19)
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by the ram. Aries is a fire sign with a cardinal quality, meaning it is energetic, passionate, brave, and ambitious. Aries likes to take action, lead, and start new things. Aries is also confident, brave, independent, and assertive. However, Aries can also be impulsive, impatient, pushy, and selfish. Aries may have trouble with leadership, compromise, and teamwork. An example of an Aries is Lady Gaga.
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
The second sign of the zodiac is Taurus, symbolized by the bull. Taurus is an earth sign with a fixed quality, meaning it is stable, reliable, sensible, and loyal. Taurus likes to enjoy life’s joys, such as food, music, art, and nature. Taurus is also patient, driven, hardworking, and generous. However, Taurus can also be stubborn, possessive, selfish, and lazy. Taurus may have trouble with change, creativity, and flexibility. Adele is an example of a celebrity Taurus.
Gemini (May 21–June 20)
Gemini, the third sign of the zodiac, is symbolized by the twins. It is an air sign with a mutable quality, meaning it is flexible, expressive, curious, and adaptable. Gemini likes to talk, learn, explore, and have fun. Gemini is also witty, intelligent, artistic, and sociable. However, Gemini can also be unreliable, superficial, restless, and gossipy. Gemini may have trouble with commitment, attention, and depth. Angelina Jolie is an example of a Gemini.
Cancer (June 21–July 22)
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac, symbolized by the crab. Cancer is a water sign with a cardinal quality. This means it is intuitive, sentimental, caring, and protective. Cancer likes to nurture, care for, and build emotional bonds. Cancer is also loyal, sympathetic, creative, and supportive. However, Cancer can also be moody, clingy, insecure, and manipulative. Cancer may have trouble with independence, rationality, and conflict. An example of a Cancer celebrity is Tom Hanks.
Leo (July 23–August 22)
Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by the lion. Leo is a fire sign with a fixed quality, meaning it is dramatic, open, fiery, and self-assured. Leo likes to shine, lead, and inspire others. Leo is also generous, confident, artistic, and charismatic. However, Leo can also be arrogant, egocentric, stubborn, and dominating. Leo may have trouble with humility, teamwork, and criticism. Jennifer Lopez is an example of a Leo celebrity.
Virgo (August 23–September 22)
This is the sixth sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by a woman. Virgo is an earth sign with a mutable quality. It means it is sensible, loyal, gentle, and analytical. Virgo likes to serve, help, and improve things. Virgo is also meticulous, planned, hardworking, and humble. However, Virgo can also be critical, perfectionistic, fussy, and worried. Virgo may have trouble with creativity, flexibility, and self-esteem. Beyoncé is an example of a Virgo celebrity.
Libra (September 23–October 22)
Libra is the seventh sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by the scales. Libra is an air sign with a cardinal quality, meaning it is social, fair-minded, polite, and gracious. Libra likes to balance, harmonize, and work with others. Libra is also charming, stylish, artistic, and persuasive. However, Libra can also be hesitant, superficial, dependent, and passive-aggressive. Libra may have trouble with boldness, honesty, and self-reliance. An example of a Libran celebrity is Will Smith.
Scorpio (October 23–November 21)
Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac, is symbolized by the scorpion. Scorpio is a water sign with a fixed quality. It is passionate, stubborn, clever, and brave. Scorpio likes to transform, explore, and control things. Scorpio is also intense, loyal, powerful, and attractive. However, Scorpio can also be secretive, jealous, obsessive, and spiteful. Scorpio may have trouble with faith, compromise, and forgiveness. Leonardo DiCaprio is a Scorpio celebrity.
Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)
This is the ninth sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by the shooter. Sagittarius is a fire sign with a mutable quality, meaning it is extroverted, optimistic, funny, and giving. Sagittarius likes to travel, learn, experience excitement, and expand their horizons. Sagittarius is also honest, philosophical, energetic, and open-minded. However, Sagittarius can also be reckless, irresponsible, tactless, and rigid. Sagittarius may have trouble with dedication, discipline, and sensitivity. An example of a Sagittarius celebrity is Taylor Swift.
Capricorn (December 22–January 19)
Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac and is symbolized by the goat. Capricorn is an earth sign with a cardinal quality, meaning it is ambitious, responsible, disciplined, and sensible. Capricorn likes to achieve, work, and plan for the future. Capricorn is also loyal, reliable, practical, and persistent. However, Capricorn can also be gloomy, rigid, cold, and materialistic. Capricorn may have trouble with spontaneity, feeling, and fun. An example of a Capricorn figure is Michelle Obama.
Aquarius (January 20–February 18)
Aquarius, the eleventh sign of the zodiac, is symbolized by the water carrier. Aquarius is an air sign with a set quality, meaning it is innovative, eccentric, humanitarian, and original. Aquarius likes to rebel, create, and change the world. Aquarius is also clever, friendly, progressive, and independent. However, Aquarius can also be distant, unpredictable, aloof, and stubborn. Aquarius may have trouble with conformity, intimacy, and security. An example of an Aquarius celebrity is Oprah Winfrey.
Pisces (February 19–March 20)
Pisces is the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac, symbolized by the fish. Pisces is a water sign with a mutable quality. This means it is artistic, empathetic, spiritual, and dreamy. Pisces likes to flee, imagine, heal, and connect with others. Pisces is also sensitive, intuitive, artistic, and gentle. However, Pisces can also be naive, delusional, timid, and self-pitying. Pisces may have trouble with truth, boundaries, and direction. Rihanna is an example of a Pisces celebrity.
Using the Horoscope for Characterization
Now that you have an idea of the 12 zodiac signs and their traits, you can use them to build your characters for your screenplay. Here are some steps to follow:
Choose a horoscope sign for your protagonist:
Your protagonist is the main character of your story and the one who undergoes the most change. You should choose a zodiac sign that fits your protagonist’s personality, goals, and arc. For example, if your protagonist is a brave fighter who fights for justice, you might choose Aries as their sign. If your lead is a shy artist who finds their voice through music, you might choose Pisces as their sign.
Choose a zodiac sign for your antagonist:
Your antagonist is the character who opposes your protagonist and causes conflict in your story. You should choose a zodiac sign that contrasts or questions your protagonist’s sign. For example, if your protagonist is a Leo who wants to be the centre of attention, you might choose Aquarius as your antagonist’s sign, as they are more interested in the greater good than personal fame. If your protagonist is a Virgo who tries for perfection, you might choose Sagittarius as your antagonist’s sign, as they are more carefree and adventurous than meticulous and cautious.
Choose zodiac signs for your supporting characters:
Your supporting characters are the ones who help or hinder your lead along their journey. You should choose zodiac signs that suit or complicate your protagonist’s sign. For example, if your protagonist is a Gemini who loves to learn new things, you might choose Libra as their best friend’s sign, as they share a love for dialogue and harmony. If your protagonist is a Scorpio who has trust problems, you might choose Cancer as their love interest’s sign, as they are more emotional and nurturing than secretive and guarded.
Use the horoscope to develop your characters’ goals, motivations, conflicts, and arcs:
Once you have given a zodiac sign to each of your characters, you can use the horoscope to flesh out their details and make them more realistic and relatable. For example,
Goals
You can use the horoscope to decide what your characters want and why they want it. Each zodiac sign has its own desires and aspirations that drive it to achieve its goals. For example, a Taurus character might want to achieve financial security and steadiness because they value comfort and luxury. A Sagittarius character might want to travel the world and learn new things because they value freedom and information.
Motivations
You can use the horoscope to decide why your characters do what they do and how they do it. Each zodiac sign has strengths and weaknesses that affect their actions and decisions. For example, an Aries character might act impulsively and aggressively because they are confident and brave. A Pisces character might act passively and artistically because they are compassionate and imaginative.
Conflicts
You can use the horoscope to decide what your characters struggle with and how they overcome it. Each zodiac sign has its own challenges and opportunities that build tension and growth in your story. For example, a Leo character might fight with arrogance and ego because they are generous and charismatic. A Capricorn character might battle pessimism and rigidity because they are ambitious and responsible.
Arcs
You can use the horoscope to decide how your characters change and evolve throughout your story. Each zodiac sign has its own potential and fate that shape its character arc. For example, a Libran character might start out indecisive and superficial but end up being decisive and real. An Aquarius character might start out distant and unpredictable but end up attached and reliable.
How to Use the Horoscope Effectively and Creatively for Characterization
Using the horoscope as a tool for screenplay characterization can be a fun and useful way to add depth and diversity to your script. However, you should also be careful not to focus too much on the horoscope or use it rigidly or stereotypically. Here are some tips on how to use the horoscope successfully and creatively for screenplay characterization:
Do your research
Before you use the horoscope for screenplay characterization, you should do some research on astrology and the zodiac signs. You can read books, papers, blogs, or podcasts that explain the basics and nuances of astrology. You can also consult online sources that provide detailed information and views on each zodiac sign.
Be flexible
While the horoscope can provide you with a general outline for your screenplay characters, you should not limit yourself or your characterization to the horoscope. You should remember that the horoscope is not a final or deterministic guide, but a suggestive or inspirational one. You should be flexible and open-minded when using the horoscope for screenplay characterization, and change it according to your story, genre, theme, and tone.
Be original
While the horoscope can provide you with some examples of popular characters or celebrities that belong to each zodiac sign, you should not copy or imitate them. You should use them as examples or inspirations, but not as templates or models. You should be original and creative when using the horoscope and make your own unique and memorable characters that reflect your vision and voice.
Final thoughts
Using the horoscope for screenplay characterization can be a great way to add depth and diversity to your story. By giving a zodiac sign to each of your characters, you can use the horoscope as a tool to develop their personality, behaviour, relationships, and goals. You can also use the horoscope as a source of conflict, stress, and growth for your characters.
However, you should also be careful not to use the horoscope strictly or stereotypically. You should do your study, be flexible, and be original when using the horoscope for screenplay characterization. You should also remember that the horoscope is not the only way to create characterization, but one of many possible ways.
We hope this article has given you some ideas and tips on how to use the horoscope to build well-rounded characters in a screenplay. Why not try it out for yourself? You might be surprised by what you learn about your characters and yourself. Happy writing!