User:Jester of chaos/Rules for Villains

Here are my personal rules for media namely on villains:

Look either of the first two can be done by showing an explosion of a city or populated and if wont cause nearly as much hate as if feels less personal.

1. Never kill a infant or small child on screen - This is a trend I find in media and is just revolting. All this succeeds is make me want to leave the film or show after seeing it and see the creature human or in general die brutally. My personal rule is if they are eight or below don't do it. You could have them transformed and it while terrible it can be seen more as a tearjerker but also make it more of a mercy killing.

2. Don't hurt Puppy and other young animals - Much like with infants this shouldn't be shown on screen though if it is meant to cause a emotional response such as anger make sure we get attached or know it. Yes this will piss me off but at least you put effort into doing a connection and it can be used to show a villain as a heartless character.

3. Don't just make torture or try to disgust the audience for no reason - Might sound weird since I love horror but just making the audience feel grossed out and want to look away its pathetic not good or skilled writing or directing. I probably like blood, gore and violence as much as any other guy but if its just for a reaction and if is hard to watch then its not going to be a good movie. Saw despite being full of torture blood and uncomfortable at time (I didn't have much problems with most of it) had a story and plot, The Scream series kept you guessing and most of the other ones I like either had interesting kills, story or mystery surrounding the killer not just "did I make you cringe?" like what it seems some writer thinks will make a good story.

4. Tragedy - If you want this to work for the villain make sure you make whatever it is that it isn't petty. If you want to make it where a villain tragic who loses their family then make it known and obvious they loved them and afterwards the world being just cruel afterwards by rejecting them and persecute them, this should be shown through flashbacks as otherwise it can make them look petty or even flat out lying about it.

5. Personality - This mostly is a problem when the creator decides to pull a "What a twist" style and changes a villain personality out of nowhere without gradually working towards this. You want a petty outright villain who is pure evil? Then keep it that way. You want a villain with redeeming factor? Fine just keep it consistent otherwise it will most likely just piss off the audience.

6. Goal - This is a important part of how well a villain is examples:


 * Cataclysm - This is much more interesting then "Take over the World", It is best when the villain wants to destroy the universe physical and spiritually themselves included. It obviously brings a more serious atmosphere then most goals.


 * Omnicidal Maniac - This can be seen as another dark goal but a entertaining with a insane individual who wants to simply kill without limit or a person fearing that the dominate species is running the setting and the only way to help said setting is to wipe out said species.


 * Harbinger for Rebirth - This can be good if the way they plan to do it is complex or at least done with in a good fashion.


 * God Wannabe - The way one plans to become a god can vary but can be used to make a impressive story arc full of twist and turns.


 * Immortality Seeker - Like God Wannabe it can vary on how it can be achieved but can be used to show the lengths a person will go to get what they want.


 * Take Over The World - Its a common and I feel over used idea but if the villain is good enough it can be pulled off.