---
title: "Character Bible Template for Screenwriters (Free Guide)"
description: "What to put in a character bible: backstory, want vs need, flaw, arc, voice, relationships and visual details — with a screenwriter’s template and examples."
url: https://kathekaara.in/blog/character-bible-template
published: 2026-10-05T04:45:00.000Z
updated: 2026-10-05T04:45:00.000Z
---

# How to Build a Character Bible for Your Screenplay (With Template)

By Gireesh Shanbbhag, Actor | Filmmaker | Screen Writer | Editor · Published 2026-10-05

**Quick answer:** A character bible is a reference document describing each important character — name, age, background, what they want, what they really need, their flaw, how they change across the story, how they speak, their key relationships and visual details such as wardrobe. Screenwriters use it to keep characters consistent across drafts, co-writers and departments, and series writers' rooms use it to keep characters consistent across seasons.

## Key takeaways

- Focus on what affects choices on screen; skip trivia that never shows up.
- The most useful lines are want, need, flaw and arc.
- Include voice notes — dialect, favourite phrases, what they never say.
- Update the bible after every draft; it is a living document.

## What goes into a character bible?

- Basics: full name, nickname, age, occupation, where they live.
- Logline for the character: one sentence on who they are and what drives them.
- Want (external goal): what they actively pursue in the story.
- Need (internal goal): what they must learn or accept to be whole.
- Flaw and wound: the weakness that blocks them and the past event that caused it.
- Arc: who they are on page 1 versus the last page.
- Voice: language, dialect, vocabulary, rhythm, sense of humour.
- Relationships: how they feel about each other main character.
- Look: wardrobe, physicality, objects they carry — useful for costume and props.
- Secrets: what they hide and from whom.
- Key scenes: where the character turns.

## Character bible template

NAME / AGE / OCCUPATION:

ONE-LINE SUMMARY:

WANT:

NEED:

FLAW / WOUND:

ARC (start → end):

VOICE (language, dialect, phrases):

RELATIONSHIPS:

LOOK & PROPS:

SECRET:

KEY SCENES:

## Example: a filled-in entry

MEERA RAO, 24, junior UX designer in Bengaluru.

Summary: a city girl who has stopped speaking her grandfather's language.

Want: to get back to her job before her promotion review.

Need: to accept where she comes from.

Flaw/wound: shame about her village roots after being mocked in college.

Arc: dismissive outsider → proud performer of her own version of Yakshagana.

Voice: fast Bengaluru Kannada mixed with English; switches to formal Kannada with elders; says "it's fine" when it isn't.

Look: oversized hoodie, wired earphones always around her neck.

## How detailed should a character bible be?

For a feature, a page for each lead and a paragraph for supporting roles is enough. For a series, bibles grow larger because characters must stay consistent across many episodes and writers. Do not let research become procrastination — write what helps you make choices in scenes.

## How does the character bible help the rest of the production?

Casting directors use it to brief auditions, costume and makeup use the "look" section, and actors use the wound, want and need for preparation. Connected to the [script breakdown](/blog/script-breakdown-guide), it keeps continuity details — scars, tattoos, accessories — consistent.

## Build character bibles inside your project

In [Kathe Kaara](/), Story Development includes character bibles with profiles, arcs, notes and images, alongside location guides, a [beat board](/blog/beat-sheet-three-act-structure) and research notes. Character names autocomplete in the screenplay editor, and the character report shows each character's lines, word count and screen presence so you can see who dominates or disappears.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between a character bible and a series bible?

A character bible covers people; a series bible covers the whole show — world, tone, characters, season arcs and episode ideas.

### Should minor characters have entries?

A line or two is enough: name, function in the story and one distinctive trait.

### Do I share the character bible with producers?

For series pitches, yes — it is often part of the pitch package. For features it is usually an internal tool.

### When should I write the character bible?

Draft it before the beat sheet, then revise after each screenplay draft.

*Cover photo: Expressive character portrait of a mime artist — by atelierbyvineeth on *[Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/mime-artist-with-painted-face-and-beret-looking-sad-ISNw1SQ3xyY?utm_source=kathekaara&utm_medium=referral)*.*