Introducing Characters - Conclusion

Conclusion

While these two opening scenes use radically different techniques to establish their characters (ie dialogue vs visuals), both rely on costuming, mis-en-scene and shot composition to establish empathy, and both of them are essentially conveying the same three pieces of information.

What does the character want?
What is stopping them from getting it?
What strategies do they use to try to achieve it?

Jack Sparrow wants the traditional pirate life we know from countless other films. The obstacle is that he has no ship, no crew, and no competence. His strategies for achieving his goal are luck, confidence, charisma and frantic improvisation.

Mark Zuckerberg wants social status, and to be recognised. The obstacle to this is that he has no social skills and people don't like to be around him. His strategies for achieving this goal are to sink further into his bad habits, close himself off from those around him and commit to rage.

These three questions will be key to establishing any character.