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Week 2 Day 2: Worthy Opponents – TOMBSTONE
1. Please watch this scene and provide your insights/breakthroughs into what makes this character great from a writing perspective.
2. Read the other writers comments and make notes of any insights/breakthroughs you like.
3. Rethink or create a scene for your script using your new insights and rewrite that scene/character.
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7 Replies
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WATCH 1st TIME FOR:
What tension comes from putting
these two worthy opponents face-to-face?Each wants to kill the other. Each shows how they are similarly matched by gun or cup twirling. Doc eases the tension by mocking Ringo but at the same time showing he is up to that standard of gunplay.
What does Doc discover about
Johnny’s character in their first meeting?That, like himself, he is educated, full of hate, and won’t back down. That Ringo is aggressive, aching for a fight, that his reputation of being a fast draw is correct, and that he reminds him of himself.
How these two characters stand out
from the others.Each is intensely interested in the other, as if they are searching out each others’ strengths and weaknesses. They only know each other by reputation, so now they get to see the “real” other.
WATCH 2nd TIME FOR:
·What drama is this scene built
around?Law upholders, even previous, vs. law breakers; which side is stronger or more likely to prevail in a confrontation; who is going to die when the inevitable confrontation occurs;
What profile items (right
character, traits, secret, wound, future) showed up in these two
character’s words and actions? -
WATCH 1st TIME FOR:
What tension comes from putting these two worthy opponents face-to-face? <div>
This is such a great film. Johnny Ringo is like a mirror image of Doc Holliday. The immediately hate each other, not just because they are on opposite sides. Doc Holliday really is on the side of his best friend which is different than Johnny Ringo.
Johnny believes he could take Doc Holliday on and he challenges him in this scene
Doc Holliday welcomes the challenge
JR shows off his ability, skills, quickness with his pistol
DH doesn’t pull his pistol because he will shoot him dead if he does. Instead he uses his tin cup to mock JR with the same moves in a lazy way.
What does Doc discover about Johnny’s character in their first meeting?
DH sees that he is the younger healthier version of himself. He hates him “like looking in a mirror”
How these two characters stand out from the others.
There isn’t anything standing in their way (in their minds)
They both are accomplished skilled gun slingers
Despite DH’s illness, his mind is very clear and knows how he can handle himself.
WATCH 2nd TIME FOR:
What drama is this scene built around? </div><div>
There is a tightrope situation with rivalry based on hearing the word on the street. Until this scene, they don’t know each other face to face. Things unsaid, the looks back and forth. JR challenges DH immediately, he must show who is the boss of gunslinging. DH is quick with sarcasm and mocking JR with a tin cup slinging.
What profile items (right character, traits, secret, wound, future) showed up in these two character’s words and actions?
JR: He doesn’t have any secrets, he wants to show everyone how clever, quick and strong he can be. He wants to show that he has no fear. And maybe his secret is ‘fear’. He believes nothing can touch him – his confidence in his skills will rival anyone who challenges him. He believes he will live beyond anyone in the room or anyone he faces. DH is a rival that is formidable and a worthy opponent that he would relish in conquering. He is salivating at the thought of killing DH in a gunfight.
DH: He does not have any secrets. He is clearly ill (wound) and has no fear, he knows his future is death. If he dies in a gunfight that would be his choice. He isn’t hiding behind his guns, prowess with women, his intellect or his friends. He doesn’t want to die, not ready to die – but he does know his future.
Daily Focus – Searching for Breakthroughs:
Please watch this scene and provide your insights/breakthroughs into what makes this character great from a writing perspective.
What doesn’t make these characters great? Such a fantastic film. Trying to come at this as if I have never seen this film before (10 times). </div>
Even though Wyatt Earp is trying to settle down away from violence – he anticipates trouble (gun under table). His past has taught him that he can never be lazy about the possibility of a gun fight (this is the wild west).
DH is only following his best friend Wyatt – I think he is reluctant to be “settled”, his mind set is always ready and willing. He knows he will fight again at anytime. He will protect his friend at any cost. He will stand by Wyatt’s side until the end, no question. His TB will eventually take him out, he knows his future is grim.
JR and the cowboys, are surprisingly over confident. They have only met WE and DH face to face. JR is so over confident, that he must show off and get a great round of applause for his skilled techniques. But totally put off by DH’s nonchalance and his mocking – while receiving big laughter from the crowd, putting JR in almost a bad light. His eyes say that he will gladly kill DH right now.
Both DH and WE are very relaxed, aware, and more mature. This makes them very dangerous, but JR thinks he knows more than they do. He does not respect their history, skills, etc..
What I learned: I will need to pull from “real life” perspective to create some great conflict and desire to win. In looking at this again, have more insight into what I need to build on my characters. Also, the acting is so fantastic. These actors were well cast into these roles. I can only hope that my script would be used in such a way (well cast, well acted and well directed). The historical material does help this story to be more compelling.
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Great analysis Elizabeth. This was a good choice for worthy opponents as we all know some of the backstory.
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Doc and Johnny are both possibly the best gunslingers – always a good showdown!
Doc tries to intimidate Johnny by speaking Latin. Johnny replies showing he is educated.
Johnny is a showboat, Doc is reserved, using comedy to avoid an instant gun battle.
Eye contact between them is intense and challenging. Johnny spins his gun to thrill the crowd and show off to Doc. Doc de-escalates the scene by spinning his cup.
Both are famous gunfighters, intimidating, like pleasing the crowd.
Doc is ill by his sweating.
We have an epic gun fight coming!
BREAKTHROUGH
My story has a scene where billionaire/attorney villain intimidates hero Sheriff with his power over the law. At the end of the meeting, Sheriff says:
“My badge hear shows my pledge to protect and serve you as a citizen with my life and this gun (pulls out his pistol) which according to my reputation is not unfamiliar with deciding the fate of others. Perhaps someday we will meet without the badge.” Maybe I will try to put a lot of this dialog into actions.
2nd thought: I think I will keep Sheriff docile and keep villain feeling he has conquered all. Use the scene as a MIS-DIRECTION for the audience.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by Michael Williamsen.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by Michael Williamsen.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by
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What tension comes from putting these two worthy opponents face-to-face? Their backgrounds make them instant enemies. Everyone has a gun. They are in a bar with drinking and gambling where anything could go wrong — especially with a bunch of tough guys on looking. They are both uber tough guys. You have the law vs. the outlaw. You’re not sure who’s in charge of keeping things calm… seemingly, no one, since the Kurt Russell character is “retired.”
What does Doc discover about Johnny’s character in their first meeting? He knows he disregards the law, he knows he is a “fast” shooter and has “the deadliest pistol” can do some fancy gun tricks. He learns that something about him reminds him of himself… and that he is educated… because he speaks Latin… as Doc does. They are indeed equal adversaries…
How do the two characters stand out from the others? They stand out as the most confrontational and least likely to back down from a fight. We know that they also have similar educations (good ones) and that they are quick-handed.
What drama is this scene built around? Gambling with people who are drinking and have no respect for the law and that people don’t like people from the law. And everyone is carrying a gun… seems to be there is only one guy that isn’t interested in a fight.
What profile (right character, traits, secret wound, future) showed up in these two characters’ words and actions? We feel there may be a secret wound in Doc when he says that the character reminds him of himself… and then tells his girlfriend immediately afterward that he hates him. They have similar traits with speaking Latin, doing tricks, and likely Johnny also feels he is in his prime.
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The tension from putting these two worthy opponents face to face comes from the unpredictable outcome. The need for both characters to be the best and when challenged to save face. The tension also comes from the skills they bring to the table and the reputation for past actions. In similar situations they have killed, will they do it again? Doc is challenged on several levels as he discovers Johnny’s knowledge of Latin and his amazing gun handling skills. These characters stand out because of their reputations, their poise under pressure, their courage in the face of extreme danger. Also, these two characters stand out as educated and more sophisticated than the others.
This scene is built around Wyatt Earp running a gambling table and someone approaches him for an autograph. Doc Holiday is with him. When he signs the autograph, others, including Johnny Ringo take note and don’t want him there. “Don’t need no law around here.” It builds into Doc Holiday deciding whether he hates or likes Johnny. He actually says it out loud. He is arrogant and is confrontational with Johnny. Johnny flexes back with a display of amazing gun handling skills and Latin that dazzles the crowd. Doc responds with a mockery using his cup. However, there is clearly a challenge and it has left Doc and Wyatt threatened and mocked. These are two evenly matched opponents/groups and the outcome from a battle would be uncertain. A future tension has been planted firmly.
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WATCH 1st TIME FOR:
· What tension comes from putting these two worthy opponents face-to-face?
· What does Doc discover about Johnny’s character in their first meeting?
· How these two characters stand out from the others.
The tension that comes from putting these two worthy opponents face-to-face is the foresight that these gunslingers will battle one day. They get to “size” each other up and make mental presumptions about one another. Being that they’re both the best, their egos shine through setting the stage for them to shut the other up.
Doc discovers that Johnny is a showman who likes to display his skills in an attempt to perhaps put fear and doubt in his opponents. Johnny is also one to provoke a challenge to those who may want to face him one day.
Doc and Johnny are the coolest and calmest of everyone present. They also are not shy to display their skills for all to witness and are at ease being the center of attention; and apparently are the only ones who speak Latin.
WATCH 2nd TIME FOR:
· What drama is this scene built around?
· What profile items (right character, traits, secret, wound, future) showed up in these two character’s words and actions?
The drama that this scene is built around involves the first meeting of the best gunslingers. Both are showman who attempt to outperform the other in front of Wyatt Earp and the other patrons. Johnny challenges Doc but he’s unaware that Earp has a gun aimed at him.
Doc is the right character to challenge the best outlaw in Johnny Ringo and vice versa. Doc is supposedly retired, but in his “prime” which Johnny finds almost humorous. These two are perfect to go at one another’s throats laying the ground for an eventual gunfight.
Doc is humorous as he mimics Johnny’s gun routine with a tiny cup. Johnny’s routine is one of a showman who doesn’t hesitate to impress. Both men are fairly educated as they recite lines in Latin leaving onlookers in a daze.
Doc likes to start conversations about the most frivolous subjects as he downs his liquor. Both know how to set boundaries in order to not push too far.
The secrets Doc and Johnny have are not clear in the scene, yet there’s something both withhold making them dangerous and calculating. Perhaps Johnny’s wound could stem from lack of a structured upbringing, while Doc’s could be one that pushes him to have once upheld the law.
The future that is set in this scene is clear as Doc and Johnny will do battle where one will be provoked causing a fight many townsfolk would want to witness.
Insights/Breakthroughs:
Making my protagonist and antagonist equally matched sets the stage for the audience to anticipate a climax and ending that would hopefully be memorable.
Making the protagonist and antagonist formidable opposing forces creates instant tension that carries throughout the story; this setup offers opportunities for comic comparison between the characters and the constant challenging to outdo each other.
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