Psychology for Filmmakers

Crafting Authentic Characters and Stories
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-041-14638-4
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 228 Seiten, Format (B × H): 157 mm x 233 mm, Gewicht: 354 g

Bridging the worlds of psychological theory and visual storytelling, this book provides a unique and compelling guide for screenwriters seeking to create emotionally resonant and psychologically authentic characters.

Drawing on her extensive experience as both a practicing psychotherapist and a film consultant, Tatiana Salakhieva-Talal offers an interdisciplinary framework that redefines how we approach character and story development. Rooted in a range of psychological theories—from Freud and Jung to Gestalt psychology and contemporary socio-cultural research—this book adapts key concepts for use in script structure and character design. It explains key psychological theories in ways that meet the needs of screenwriters, revealing how plot, character traits, and artistic elements influence viewers’ emotions. With practical prompts and global case studies, this book equips readers with the tools to create multidimensional characters and authentic stories that deeply connect with audiences.

This book is ideal for those undertaking intermediate-level screenwriting courses, as well as for directors, producers, editors, and anyone interested in cinema or psychology.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate and Undergraduate Advanced

Autoren/Hrsg.

Salakhieva-Talal, Tatiana

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Theater- und Filmwissenschaft | Andere Darstellende Künste Filmwissenschaft, Fernsehen, Radio Fernsehdrehbücher
• Geisteswissenschaften Theater- und Filmwissenschaft | Andere Darstellende Künste Filmwissenschaft, Fernsehen, Radio Filmdrehbücher
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologie: Allgemeines
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Enzyklopädien, Nachschlagewerke, Wörterbücher

Inhaltsverzeichnis

0. Introduction 1. Psychology and Cinema 2. Psychoanalysis in Cinema 3. Cinema as a Manifestation of Current Psychological Trends 4. Psychological Foundation of Creating a Character 5. The Neurotic Character: Shaping a Deep and Real Personality 6. Inner Conflict and the Character’s Arc of Changes 7. Other Types of Characters  8. Afterword

Über Autor(innen)

Tatiana Salakhieva-Talal is a certified Gestalt therapist and supervisor (Member of European Association for Gestalt-Therapy) in Russia and across Europe, as well as an expert in film psychology. She is a co-founder of the Psychotherapy Association and Institute “Metamorphoses” and the founder of the Psychology Center “Makes Sense”. Between 2012 and 2020, she taught the highly regarded course “Psychology for Screenwriters” at the Moscow Film School. Since 2019, she has been the creator and lead instructor of the course “Psychology in Film: Creating Characters and Stories”, which has had more than 800 graduates worldwide. With years of experience consulting on films and TV series, her expertise lies in bridging psychology and storytelling, enabling screenwriters to create meaningful, resonant narratives.