All About Enneagrams

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In screenwriting, Enneagrams provide a powerful tool for creating well-rounded, complex characters by defining their core motivations, fears, and desires. By understanding an Enneagram type, writers can craft characters with distinct personalities, conflicts, and growth arcs that resonate with audiences. These types not only help establish how a character interacts with others but also guide their emotional journey throughout the story. Whether for a hero, villain, or supporting character, integrating Enneagram traits can add depth and authenticity to the narrative, making the character’s choices and development feel organic and impactful.

Here are the main Enneagram types with brief descriptions:

1. Type 1 – The Reformer: Driven by a desire for perfection and doing things the right way, often struggling with criticism and guilt.
2. Type 2 – The Helper: Focused on others’ needs, they seek love and appreciation, sometimes sacrificing their own well-being for others.
3. Type 3 – The Achiever: Motivated by success, they value productivity and image, often fearing failure or being seen as worthless.
4. Type 4 – The Individualist: Deeply in touch with their emotions and identity, they crave uniqueness and self-expression but fear being ordinary.
5. Type 5 – The Investigator: Intellectual and perceptive, they seek knowledge and understanding, often withdrawing from emotional connections to preserve independence.
6. Type 6 – The Loyalist: Security-oriented and committed, they seek safety and stability, often struggling with anxiety and indecision.
7. Type 7 – The Enthusiast: Energetic and adventurous, they seek pleasure and avoid pain, sometimes avoiding discomfort or commitment.
8. Type 8 – The Challenger: Assertive and strong-willed, they seek control and respect, often challenging authority and resisting vulnerability.
9. Type 9 – The Peacemaker: Easygoing and accepting, they value harmony and avoid conflict, often suppressing their own desires to maintain peace.

Each type offers unique possibilities for character development, conflict, and growth within a screenplay.