S1E2_ Part A: Character Design & Structuring - ”The Memory Drift, Making it Stick!” _UNFILTERED

SHOW NOTE

 

"Have you ever met someone who became a core memory just from first encounter? Characters can become core memories and this epsiode some of the secrets to that!

 

 

Recap

The episode starts with a reflection  back into the fascinating friendship between BoJack Horseman creators Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Lisa Hanawalt, touching on how their high school bond evolved into one of television's most groundbreaking collaborations—where dark humor meets whimsical art in perfect harmony. This isn't just a recap; it's the foundation for understanding why BoJack became a cultural phenomenon.

 

INTRO

This episode marks the beginning of our character design saga, where we unravel the secrets behind creating unforgettable characters. Using BoJack Horseman as our masterclass, we'll explore how visual design, narrative depth, and psychological realism combine to create characters that haunt you long after the credits roll. From memory triggers to the "show-don't-tell" technique, prepare to discover why these characters feel more real than most people you know.

 

ICEBREAKER HOOK

Did you know humans process 74 gigabytes of data daily—equivalent to watching 16 movies—yet remember almost none of it? Discover the shocking psychology behind what makes memories stick and how it directly connects to creating unforgettable characters. Through fascinating research and real conversations with friends about first impressions, we reveal the hidden patterns that determine who we remember and why. Spoiler: It says more about YOU than the people you're judging!

 

PART A - MEMORY OF FIRST IMPRESSION & CORE MEMORIES

Betty and Rita dive into the psychology of first encounters with a hilarious exploration of what people notice when meeting someone new. From outfit obsessions to head shapes (yes, really!), discover why some people become core memories while others fade away. Featuring wild stories about childhood nightmares, hide-and-seek legends, plus: Why do Nigerian parents name their kids some of the most peculiar names? The mystery continues...

 

Key Revelation: Characters are like souvenirs from an amusement park—they're what you take home from the story experience. Learn how many authors have managed to enrich their pockets by creating fictional characters that fans go crazy for while burning their wallets.... It's all in the pyschology!

 

 

PART B - MEMORY OF FIRST APPEARANCE - THE PHYSICAL

Uncover the genius behind Lisa Hanawalt's irreplaceable art style and why no other artist could capture BoJack's tone. Discover the deliberate decision to make characters anthropomorphic—not just for laughs, but as a "sneak attack" for delivering devastating emotional truths. Discover the real reason why the show has animals and why a horse was was chosen as the main protagonist to serve hardcore truths about the show's main message of depression, anxiety and existential crisis.

 

Mind-Blowing Insight: The human characters in BoJack's world start to feel OUT OF PLACE—not the animal-people. Find out why this reversal is storytelling genius and how it forces viewers to project themselves onto a horse.

 

 

 

PART C - ESTABLISHING MEMORY - NAMING YOUR CHARACTER & CHOOSING THEIR CAREER

Names Have Power: Ever met someone named "Thank God" or "Testimony"? Discover why Nigerian naming traditions reveal a universal truth: names create memories. Betty and Rita share hilarious stories some of the most unique names they've ever heard, the creepy reality of overused names and how current generation has somehow lost the art of introducing themselves through names maing the whole concept feel obselete in the informal world! There's also the unexpected reason why the name "BoJack Horseman" is brilliantly simple and how Rafael Bob-Waksberg's "lazy naming" became iconic.

 

Career as Destiny: Why did BoJack become an actor instead of a racehorse? Uncover the dark alternative pitch that almost happened and why the entertainment industry angle allowed the show to explore stardom, addiction, and existential crisis in ways a sports would have proved more challenging. Plus: Betty and Rita reveal their own chaotic career origin stories—from NASA dreams to architectural accidents, with both believing that architecture is a field for only those who are CHOSEN to it, not just called!

 

 

PART D - THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH CHARACTERS

Betty shares the exact moment she discovered BoJack Horseman during the darkest year of her life—through a single image of two characters under a blanket fort made of beer cans. The caption? "Here's the secret to being happy: just pretend that you are, and eventually you'll forget that you're pretending." Discover why this fake-it-till-you-make-it philosophy perfectly captures BoJack's essence.

The Masterclass Introduction: Witness how BoJack's first scene—a disastrous interview where he admits to parking in a disabled spot while drunk—establishes EVERYTHING you need to know about his character in under two minutes. Learn the textbook formula for introducing characters in "classic moments" and why showing beats telling every single time.

 

The Evolution of a Character: Track BoJack's visual transformation from innocent sailor-outfit kid to pimply teenager to lavish showbiz star to disheveled pseudo-celebrity to gray-haired acceptance. Each appearance marks a character arc—just like the different eras of YOUR life story.

 

 

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Master the art of creating memorable characters through:

1. Distinct physical features tied to their story
2. Names that stick and reflect identity
3. Careers that serve the narrative themes
4. Classic introductions that show, don't tell

As K.M. Weiland says: "If you can master the art of character introduction, you've already licked through a quarter of the battle."

 

 

Next Episode Preview: The character design saga continues! We're diving deeper into personality construction, character arcs, and the secrets behind making audiences fall in love with flawed protagonists.

 

 

 

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