Exploring Character Development and Screenwriting with Jérémie Dubois
Jakarta, October 22, 2026 — Moderated by Ifan Ismail, Jakarta Film Week 2026 welcomed French screenwriter Jérémie Dubois to share his experiences and insights into the art of character development and screenwriting. Participants enthusiastically engaged with Dubois during the masterclass titled Masterclass Scriptwriting: (Never) Too Many Ideas: Breaking Down the Screenwriting with Jérémie Dubois, held at Mercure Jakarta Cikini.
Having worked extensively in the film industry and collaborated with filmmakers from diverse cultural backgrounds, Dubois shared one essential piece of advice: “Ask questions like a child.”
Rather than approaching a screenplay from an outsider’s perspective, he encouraged writers to learn as much as possible from collaborators whose cultures are represented in their stories. According to Dubois, this approach allows stories to feel more authentic and resonate more deeply with audiences. He also emphasized that compelling stories often emerge from exploring one’s own cultural background. At the same time, exchanging ideas with people from different cultures can broaden a writer’s understanding of the world.
“Be authentic, and don’t hesitate to share your knowledge and perspectives. The more you learn, the more you can connect with someone else’s story when they share it with you. Be honest with your feelings, and the ideas will eventually come.”
When it comes to developing a screenplay, Dubois believes that character development and storytelling are inseparable. For him, a character’s existence reflects the goals and motivations that drive people through life.
He illustrated this through the characterization in The Site, which centers on an unemployed person willing to do whatever it takes to secure a stable job. The character’s internal struggles add emotional complexity, shaping a more complete and believable individual.
“A character holds so much within them—many layers that define who they are. When I think about a character, the first question that comes to mind is: What happened to this person?”
The masterclass continued with an engaging Q&A session, allowing participants to exchange ideas and discuss challenges they face in filmmaking.
One participant raised concerns about working in an unhealthy team environment where mutual trust was lacking. Dubois acknowledged having experienced similar situations throughout his career. He recalled an instance in which a producer with promising ideas for a screenplay eventually withdrew from a project for various reasons.
Reflecting on this experience, Dubois emphasized the importance of being open to feedback and maintaining honest communication among team members, particularly since filmmaking collaborations can last for several years.
“You have to trust one another. That’s the key. Be honest about how you feel and communicate openly so trust can grow. Once that trust is gone, you may need to reconsider whether you want to continue working on the project.”
The masterclass concluded with a lively exchange of questions and ideas. Beyond gaining practical insights into character development and screenwriting, participants also learned how to navigate the creative and interpersonal challenges that arise throughout the filmmaking process.
Writer: Khoirulia Ferdiani (Ulif)