Make Sure Your Characters have Flaws

I just read the start of a script. It had promise — lots of cool scenes, great writing, fast action — but it was missing one critical thing. The main character was perfect. He was bullet proof. I call it the "I'm cool and chicks dig me" syndrome.

James Bond could get away with it in the 1960 and 70s.  The women practically jumped into Sean Connery's lap. The gad guys were caught with ease. And I don't even think he got some of his suits dirty dirty a fight.

Even Super Heros has Flaws
But you can't get away with that if you want to sell your spec script. Your characters need to have dimension and that means they have to have flaws. Even Indiana Jones, who was practically a super hero without the powers, had has flaws. He couldn't stop following his artifacts, even at the cost of life and limb. He had to learn that maybe some people (namely Marion) were more important artifacts.

So while you're creating your characters, don't forget the main ingredient — flaws. They need them.