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Lesson 3
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Karen Christine Angermayer´s Lesson 3:
THE ENGAGING CHARACTER MODEL
Sweet Little Lies:
Madline
A. Role in the Show: loving mother of two daughters, brings Jane into the group
of other women, sticks by Jane when her son is being accused of attacking
Renata´s daughter, inspires Jane to search for Ziggy´s father
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
a. Unique Purpose: justice is one of her core values, and that´s what she
wants for their kids as well
b. Expertise: She´s courageous and strong in her job, willing to produce a
controversial play, and the same force drives her to
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface? She had a love affair with the
director of the play, and still loves him
D. Moral Boundaries: What moral boundaries is she crossing? She doesn´t mince
matters, and it looks like she doesn´t mind crossing verbal boundaries. She
betrayed her husband Ed with her colleague.
E. Unpredictable: According to her play, her relationship with Nathan (her ex) and
her colleague, and also according to Amabella´s birthday party (where her
daughter Chloe and Ziggy are not invited) she is superfast in taking actions –
without caring about the effects or the tattle of other mums.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care? Because we notice how passionate she is about
everything she loves and does: her daughters, her play, her fight for justice for
Ziggy … though she obviously has to tilt at windmills in every area. We want
her to be relaxed, rewarded – and be loved.
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Mr. Robot:
The Engaging Character Model
What I learned in this lesson is how many layers of depth are required to build engaging characters.
A: Role in the Show:
Elliot: Hero Hacker/ Vigilante / Hi-tech Robin Hood
Mr:Robot: Vigilante, Team Builder
B: Unique Purpose/Expertise
Elliot: Hacker only person who can complete most dangerous mission.
Mr. Robot: Team builder with psychological manipulation skills.
C. Intrigue: What secrets are beneath the surface?
Elliot: Need to comes to terms with impact of his father’s death.
Mr. Robot: He’s all secrets, not quite sure what his ultimate agenda is, and whose side he is on.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Elliot: All moral boundaries, except for murder
Mr. Robot: No moral code whatsoever
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Elliot: He might or might seek revenge on Evil Corp.
Mr. Robot: We don’t know what ends he will go to to recruit Elliot
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Elliot: is being forced to relive dark emotions.
Mr. Robot: We want to know what truly motivates him.
Assignment Part 2:
My Project:
BLAXIT — Half-Hour; Single Camera Serialized TV; Fish into Water Romantic Comedy for Cable
Engaging Character Model
A: Role in the Show:
Alison: Journalist Hero –Slammed with the ultimate trifecta of American racial injustice, infidelity and professional gaslighting. She decides to join the ranks of the 40k+ Black American women who BLAXIT abroad to find true love and societal respect.
B: Unique Purpose/Expertise
Alison is a Black Barbara Walters. She knows how to get to the tear-jerking heart of the matter.
C. Intrigue: What secrets are beneath the surface?
While learning about how others achieve and maintain true love, we learn and wonder what lengths Alison will go to, in order to achieve the same–
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Alison ends up having an illicit affair with her best friend’s father. While not immoral, per se, this is definitely a grey area, and a potential third rail for their friendship.
<b style=”background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
At the opening of the pilot, it is unclear whether Alison will stay in Paris or only complete the one assignment then go back to Los Angeles.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Alison, represents the Millennial woman of color, who has all her ducks in a row, yet can’t seem to find an appropriate partner for all her comedic attempts.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Pauline Gray.
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KZ’s Engaging Main Characters on THE 100
What I learned doing this assignment is… how to design an engaging character.
ENGAGING CHARACTER MODEL
WELLS JAHA (Son of the Chancellor)
A) Role in the Show:
Former best friend of protagonist, Clarke. He apparently betrayed Clarke’s confidence and got her father executed.
B) Unique Purpose / Expertise
He’s principled, even-tempered, practical.
C) Intrigue: What is the secret beneath the surface?
We don’t know yet what happened when he told his father.
D) Moral issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
He betrayed Clarke’s trust (or lied to her to protect her)
E) Unpredictable: What will they do next?
He keeps putting himself in harm’s way to defend what’s right, to help Clarke. We fear that one of these times, he will get himself killed.
F) Empathetic: Why do we care?
We sense that Wells is a good person, and we’re not sure that he actually turned in Clarke’s dad. He may be letting Clarke believe that to protect someone else. (My money is on her mother).
Yep – watched to end of Episode 3, and Clarke puts 2 and 2 together. She says, “You let me hate you… to protect me.” and he says, “What are friends for?” So add self-sacrifice to his list of good qualities.
OOPS – He just got killed in revenge by someone whose parents were killed by his father. Guess he wasn’t a lead character. Too bad… I found him to be the most interesting.
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KZ’s Engaging Main Character
The Journey of MURDER MY DARLINGS:
Characters who are the puppets of an unjust god rebel and rewrite their narrative under Oliver’s influence.
OLIVER – Plot line 5: An outsider disrupts the current world
A) Role in the show: Protagonist trying to figure out the world he finds himself in.
B) Unique purpose: He finds clues to his reality.
C) Intrigue:
- What is his amnesia covering up? Did he do something awful? Murder, perhaps?
- He has a covert relationship with Tony.
- He tries to get information out of Michelle.
D) Moral issue: As the evidence points increasingly towards Tony as the murderer, should he turn him in? Should he meddle in Tony’s relationship with Nolan for his own romantic needs, putting Tony at risk of retaliation?
E) Unpredictable: Where will his recovered memories lead him?
F) Empathetic: Tries to save Tony from abuse
TONY: Plot line 2: Two Pros go to War (he and Michelle)
A) Role in show: Love interest / Murder suspect
B) Unique purpose / expertise:
C) Intrigue: Why does he have the dead man’s shoe, and why does he hide it in Oliver’s apartment?
D) Moral issue: In a relationship where he doesn’t love in order to get perks.
E) Unpredictable: Rule breaker. Is he on Nolan’s side? Does he care about Oliver, or is it just convenient, self-serving?
F) Empathetic: We care because he’s charming, because he’s oppressed by Nolan
NOLAN: Plot line 4 – A leader takes us into an uncharted world
A) Role in Show: Uber-antagonist
B) Unique purpose / expertise: He is the creator of best-selling supernatural thrillers based on the lives of real people
C) Intrigue: Is he killing men who flirt with Tony in order to write realistically?
D) Moral issue: Controlling, needs for everyone to do as he says
E) Unpredictable: he takes revenge against the people in his life by writing about them in unflattering ways. He likes to test scenarios in real life in order to write about them.
F) Empathetic: Creative, driven, jealous
MICHELLE: Plot line 2 – Two pros go to war (with Tony)
A) Role in show: Ally / Antagonist to Oliver. Former lover of Nolan. Enemy of Tony.
B) Unique purpose / expertise: she knows how the world works
C) Intrigue: She’s trying to draw Oliver into the murder investigation in order to spare The Detective, the chosen victim. She’s trying to make sure that she survives at all costs.
D) Moral Issue: pretending to be someone’s friend only to sacrifice them to her needs
E) Unpredictable: whose side is she on? She will betray anyone.
F) Empathetic: She’s a woman in love, who’s tired of being jerked around by Nolan
INDIGO:
A) Role in show: Friend/therapist advisor to Oliver
B) Unique purpose / expertise: she reads the tarot cards, gives advice based on the cards.
C) Intrigue: She tells Oliver other people’s secrets. Is she passing Oliver’s secrets along to Nolan?
D) Moral issue: Sure of herself and her take on life. She’s right and no one else is.
E) Unpredictable: we expect her to be nurturing, but she’s blunt, undiplomatic
F) Empathetic: Although she’s blunt, she’s usually accurate. Says the things we all would like to say if we didn’t mind losing friends and gaining enemies.
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What I learned from doing this assignment: From watching and asking these 6 questions helped me understand why I’m following these characters as for my own show it helped flesh out where I wanted to take my character.
Assignment 1:
The Engaging Character Model
Walking Dead:
A. Role in Show:
Rick: a cop coming out of a coma to navigate the zombie apocalypse
Shane: a second fiddle cop now leader of the base camp of human survivors
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise:
Rick: being a cop with expertise on how to use and where to get weapons so he can save as many humans as he possibly can
Shane: Protector/Leader to keep base camp safe and orderly
C. Intrigue:
Rick: he loves being a hero.
Shane: is in love and probably has always been in love with Rick’s wife, Lori
D. Moral Issues:
Rick: goes back for the walkie-talkie even though he is reconnected with his family
Shane: takes Carl to catch frogs when he knows Lori doesn’t want him near Carl or her.
E. Unpredictable:
Rick: heads back to the city that is filled with geeks.
Shane: beats up Ed more so to take out his own frustrations.
F. Empathetic:
Watching the reconnecting scene of Rick being reunited with his son and wife and then to look over and watch Shane’s reaction. You feel for both men.
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Assignment 2:
Tree Whisperer
A. Role in the show:
Susan: a recent divorcee who also lost child custody and is a below average, meek Forest Ranger, gets a second chance of life thanks to the trees, how will she live this time?
B: Unique Purpose/Expertise:
Susan: she gets the magical ability to talk to trees and is the key to saving them from a magical disease all while she is on a journey to self love.
C: Intrigue:
Susan: she never wanted to be a mom or a wife, she just did it because society said so.
E: Unpredictable:
Susan: As she adjust to her new magical ability to communicate with trees she becomes bolder and takes more risk then she ever did before.
F: Empathetic:
We all have been rock bottom it’s how to climb out.
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Jan’s Engaging Main Characters
What I learned doing this assignment is…to create characters with a focus on what makes them engaging and selling characters connecting with the audience for a long period of story time. In doing so I needed to write in – very – long form to dive into my own idea
The journey of THIRST
“THIRST” is a fast-paced, action-packed streamer series set in Cottbus and the lake district Spreewald in Germany. The story centers around Oliver Wind, an active military police officer allowed to return to his hometown to assist with his father’s funeral. However, when he arrives, he learns that his mother has also passed away under suspicious circumstances. Determined to uncover the truth, Oliver takes on the case, believing his parents’ deaths were actually liquidations. As he investigates, Oliver discovers that his family is more connected to the city’s political and industrial cobweb than he realized, and is sucked into the networks of corruption, conspiracy and injustice. Forced to investigate a series of connected crimes, partially among his own relatives, including a high-profile murder and a possible conspiracy involving a powerful corporation, he has to fight for justice in his own former hometown while an unconventional romance develops.
Oliver Wind
A. Role in the show: Hero
B. What is Oliver’s purpose ?
Oliver’s unique purpose in this show is to uncover the truth behind his parent’s death and to seek justice for them. As a military police officer, Oliver has a strong sense of duty and a keen eye for detail, which makes him a valuable asset in solving the conspiracy. He is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to the father and little later to his mother and will stop at nothing to find out the truth, even if it means going up against powerful and dangerous people. Throughout the series, Oliver’s relentless pursuit of justice drives the plot forward and keeps the audience engaged.
C. What is hidden under the surface?
Oliver has a troubled past that he keeps hidden from those around him. He has seen and experienced things during his time in the military that have left deep scars on him, both physically and emotionally. Oliver struggles with the guilt of being a survivor and often has flashbacks of the events that led to his PTSD and he doesn’t want to be perceived as weak or incapable of doing his job.
D. What moral boundaries is Oliver crossing?
Oliver investigates the mysterious circumstances. He is a military police officer, and his duty is to serve his country and follow the law. However, in his quest for the truth, he starts to bend the rules and even breaks them. He starts to use his position and resources to investigate the case, even though it is outside his jurisdiction. He also uses his military training to intimidate and coerce people to give him information. Moreover, Oliver is also dealing with his guilt and grief over not being there for his mother during her last moments. He feels that he has failed his mother, which also puts him in a position where he is risking his career and reputation. He is not only breaking the law but also going against his commanding officers, who are trying to keep him out of the case.
Oliver’s actions may be seen as morally questionable, as he is crossing the line to get to the truth. However, his intentions are noble, as he is seeking justice for his parents and later the rights of many for potable water and wants to bring the responsible parties to account for their actions.
E. What will Oliver do next?
Oliver will go to great lengths to uncover the truth. The combination of his military background in investigation, interrogation and willingness to use his physical skills and weapons make him unpredictable. He is not afraid to protect himself and others when smart talking is not enough. His unwillingness, different to civil investigators, lawyers or downhill officials, to play by the book in addition with his personal emotional attachment to the case causes him to act outside of standard protocol, making it difficult for others to predict his next move.
F. Why do we care?
Oliver is a-bit-larger-than-life character with a strong moral code, a fierce sense of justice, and great physical and mental abilities. He has experienced great loss and trauma in his life. He is driven by a deep sense of duty and loyalty to his family and country, and we can empathize with his struggles to balance these conflicting priorities. As he investigates, Oliver discovers that his family is more connected to the city’s political and industrial network than he realized. As he delves deeper into the conspiracy behind his parents deaths he uncovers a powerful corporation that is privatizing potable water in the country, preparing for a new mega business. Despite his flaws, we root for Oliver because we see his genuine desire to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice, and we empathize with his pain and struggles along the way.
Marie WIND
A. Role in the story: Sidekick, love interest, conflict generator.
Marie Wind, a young bartender in her mid-20s, works at a whole in the wall in Cottbus, a town in the former German Democratic Republic. Despite her challenging work environment, Marie is an independent and strong-willed woman who is determined to pursue her passion for landscape photography. She spends her days capturing the destruction caused by drought and industrial crime in her homeland. Together with the local eco-activists she causes constant trouble by going viral with her pictures. She provide a fresh perspective and insight into the local community and its issues
B. Stefanie serves multiple purposes in the story
Love Interest: Stefanie is initially drawn to Oliver’s charisma and strength, and their relationship starts off as a physical attraction and a romantic relationship. As the story progresses, their bond deepens into, adding an emotional dimension to Oliver’s character and providing motivation for him to unravel the mystery surrounding his parents’ deaths. Same time the question arise if they are allowed to stay in a romantic relationship once they learn that they are cousins, in a small town society like theirs. And that’s just before a way more dramatic situation occurs.
Sidekick: Stefanie becomes Oliver’s ally and sidekick in his investigation. She provides support, both emotionally and intellectually, as they work together to uncover the truth behind the water conspiracy. Stefanie challenges Oliver’s thinking and helps him see things from a different perspective, which aids him in his pursuit of justice.
Familial Connection: Stefanie’s surprising revelation that she is Oliver’s cousin adds a unique twist to their relationship. It creates a personal stake for Stefanie in helping Oliver uncover the truth about his parents’ deaths and the water conspiracy. It also adds an additional layer of complexity to their relationship as they navigate their newfound family connection while working together as partners.
Conflict Generator: Stefanie’s father, an influential small-town networker, is revealed to be involved in the conspiracy, creating conflict and tension between Stefanie and Oliver. This adds drama to the story and complicates their investigation as they must navigate their personal relationship while confronting Stefanie’s father’s involvement in the conspiracy.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Marie Wind’s dark hidden secret is that she is actually the daughter of a wealthy businessman and political networker who got her a job and education as a commercial photographer in the water mill. when she left school. Marie is partially responsible for the beautiful yet misleading pictures that have been used over years to make the water mill so powerful and led to the industrial and environmental destruction around the city and the lake district . She keeps this secret hidden as she grapples with her loyalty to her father, her night job identity, the loyalty to the eco-activists and her growing awareness of the harm she has caused to the community and environment. This internal conflict adds depth and complexity to her character as she navigates her role as Oliver’s sidekick and love interest while working to solve the murder and water conspiracy in the town.
D. Compromising her own safety and well-being in pursuit of justice and exposing the truth about the destruction of her homeland and the water conspiracy. She takes risks and cross moral boundaries, such as breaking laws or endangering herself to hold those responsible accountable. Her determination to make a difference yet having a romantic affair with cousin may lead her to make difficult choices along the way.
E. Unpredictable: What will Marie do next?
Marie, night life bartender, driven by her passion for photography, takes bold and sometimes reckless actions to capture the truth about the destruction of her homeland. On the other hand she is hiding behind an alias. She is willing to cross moral boundaries and take risks in order to expose the water conspiracy and solve the murder mystery together with Oliver. Yet she is part of exactly this family and seeks to stay the heiress she is promised. Her unpredictable nature and impulsive decisions add intrigue and suspense to the story, keeping viewers on their toes as they wonder what Marie will do next. Like falling in love with a woman?
E. Why do we care?
Overall, Stefanie’s character serves as a multifaceted figure in the story, providing support, motivation, conflict, and emotional depth to the plot and to Oliver’s character arc. Her role as a love interest, sidekick, and familial connection adds layers of complexity to the story and drives the plot forward. She is a strong and independent character yet with a layer to be dishonest with herself and others, who complements Oliver’s character and they help each other in their pursuit of justice. Additionally, her relationship with Oliver adds depth and emotion to the story, making it not just about action and investigation, but also about personal connections and human emotions and therefore engaging and compelling for the audience.
Stefanie Müller, Dr.
A.Role in the story: Guardian
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise. Dr. Stefanie Müller is a PTSD specialized therapist who is assigned to work with Oliver, the protagonist, at the behest of his commanding officer. She is patient and understanding, creating a safe space for Oliver to open up about the traumatic experiences he has witnessed and the moral conflicts he has faced in the military, uncovering his involvement in dishonest operations and finally his reasons for leaving his hometown early. She serves as a compelling character with story arcs throughout the show. She becomes Oliver’s guardian and plays a crucial role in his emotional journey, unraveling the mystery of the murder and water conspiracy.
C. What is secret beneath the surface? Stefanie Müller’s secret beneath the surface is that she herself has a personal connection to the water conspiracy and maybe even to the mysterious murder in Cottbus. She has information or even involvement that she is keeping hidden from Oliver and others, adding an element of intrigue and mystery to her character. This secret will create internal conflict for her as she navigates her role as a therapist while also being personally connected to the events unfolding in the story. Her hidden past and motivations may gradually come to light as the story progresses, adding complexity to her character arc.
D. What moral boundaries is she crossing? As a PTSD therapist, Stefanie will cross moral boundaries by delving deep into Oliver’s traumatic experiences and potentially uncovering sensitive information about his past and the operations he has been involved in. Her pursuit of the truth and her determination to help Oliver may lead her to make choices that challenge traditional ethical guidelines for therapists. And how will she navigate her growing romantic feelings for Oliver, considering her professional role and the ethical boundaries it entails?
E. What will she do next? As Stefanie Müller falls in love with Oliver, her patient, she finds herself torn between her personal feelings and her professional boundaries as a therapist. Her choices and decisions may have unexpected consequences as she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Oliver while also dealing with her own inner conflicts. Even more drama arises when Marie finds Stefanie attractive, and finally together with Oliver’s the relationship takes an unexpected turn as they develop strong, positive feelings for each other. Stefanie decides to allow herself to build an inclusive, open-minded, and honest relationship as a modern 21st-century triple, defying societal norms and expectations. Their story arc explores themes of love, acceptance, and individuality, adding a fresh and contemporary element. Despite the obstacles they encounter, Stefanie, Marie, and Oliver remain true to themselves and their love for each other, defying societal norms and expectations, and showcasing the power of love, understanding, and inclusivity in a modern world.
F. Why do we care?
We care about Stefanie because she is a skilled and empathetic PTSD specialized therapist who helps Oliver confront his past trauma and open up about his experiences. Her involvement in the water conspiracy adds an additional layer of intrigue and complexity to her character, making her a key player in the unfolding mystery that keeps the audience interested in her character and invested in her story. She also forms a deep and genuine connection with both Oliver and Marie, creating a unique and poly-inclusive relationship dynamic that challenges traditional norms, which makes us care about her wanting to see how her story unfolds in the larger narrative.
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Bobby’s Engaging Characters
What I learned doing this assignment: when done well (Mr. Robot), all of these questions feed back on and reference each other.
ENGAGING CHARACTER MODEL
MR ROBOT
ROLE IN THE SHOW:
ELLIOT: Brilliant cyber-security tech who can “hack” anyone.
UNIQUE PURPOSE/EXPERTISE:
ELLIOT: Plotting to take down Evil Corp – the conglomerate that controls the world – and bring on the greatest revolution in history.
INTRIGUE: WHAT IS SECRET BENEATH THE SURFACE?
ELLIOT: He does what he does and hates who he hates because they were responsible for his father’s death; also, he says he’s protecting his “source code”, and his “perfect maze” – what does this mean?
MORAL ISSUE: WHAT MORAL BOUNDARIES ARE THEY CROSSING?
ELLIOT: With the best of intentions, Elliot finds himself lying to those he cares about most. And if he takes down Evil Corp, it could do serious harm to Angela and Gideon.
Desire to Fit In vs. Desire to Do The Right ThingUNPREDICTABLE: WHAT MIGHT THEY DO NEXT?
ELLIOT: Will he JOIN “fsociety”? Will he turn them in? Elliot himself can’t make up his mind from one minute to the next. Also, his delusional tendencies make him the ultimate “unreliable narrator.”
EMPATHETIC: WHY DO WE CARE?
ELLIOT: Elliot is painfully, constantly aware of the cruelty of those “in charge,” and desperately wants to help. He also is in a constant battle of “doing the right thing” vs “living a normal life.”
ENGAGING CHARACTER MODEL
AMP
ROLE IN THE SHOW:
FRANK: Defeated detective, caught between desire to “play out the string,” and the need to prove his worth.
AMP: Prototype of the “Robot-Detective” – there to prove he can be an asset.
UNIQUE PURPOSE/EXPERTISE:
FRANK: Only way he can make it to retirement is to partner with a robot, which makes him the laughing stock of the department. Frank is there to “babysit” AMP, and report on how he’s doing/whether he’s worth replicating.
AMP: AMP has instant recall, access to all criminal records/facial recognition/etc. If he “works,” the “Company” plans to roll out “Robot-detectives” to departments around the country.
INTRIGUE: WHAT IS SECRET BENEATH THE SURFACE?
FRANK: He discovers that AMP is truly sentient – and if he tells anyone, AMP would be “killed.” [Need something about his partner’s death – Frank convinced the department is covering something up?]
AMP: AMP is (or BECOMES) fully-sentient, unrestrained by the “inhibitor chip” that prevents him from committing violent acts, etc. He has to fight to prove he is as alive as anyone else, while hiding just how “free” he is.
MORAL ISSUE: WHAT MORAL BOUNDARIES ARE THEY CROSSING?
FRANK: Is keeping AMP’s secret a danger to society? Also, Frank begins to remember how he acted when he was a great detective – breaking protocol all the time.
AMP: Lying for self-preservation, which is counter to his “programming.”
UNPREDICTABLE: WHAT MIGHT THEY DO NEXT?
FRANK: Frank’s loyalty switches from self-preservation to keeping AMP’s secret. He’ll do anything to help AMP stay “himself.”
AMP: Trained by downloading case files from city’s top ten detectives – all of whom broke protocol constantly; so to be a “good cop,” AMP feels he can do whatever it takes.
EMPATHETIC: WHY DO WE CARE?
FRANK: Hated and ridiculed by everyone he works with; estranged from his daughter, with no idea how to make up for being absent her whole life.
AMP: AMP is discriminated against, based on assumptions because of WHAT he is. He’s fighting for his right to exist as an individual with agency.
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Karen Christine Angermayer´s THE ENGAGING CHARACTER MODEL – my own project THE BANKER
What I learned doing this assignment was that my original idea was not working in terms of “binge worthy”. I explored several ways, and decided to continue working on this concept at another point.
So I´ve put this idea aside, and created a new one.
Not the easiest moment saying good-bye to characters and ideas you had in mind for a while (you might have experienced this before) but a very necessary one 😉
Here´s my new concept:
Journey:
After becoming a victim of a perfidious scam successful banker Wolf-Dieter (42) has lost all his own money and the money of his clients. With the help of pregnant Emma (19) he is trying to get it all back, before his family, the bank and his clients take notice.
A. Role in the show: Wolf-Dieter (WD), husband and father of son (18) and daughter (22). He is the main character and hero who is betrayed and mentally manipulated. After overcoming the first shock he is willing to do what is needed to get his money back, passing borders he never would have believed possible for him. Transformation from victim to perpetrator.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: Despite everyone says it would be impossible to get the money back, he has decided to go after it, and follows this goal with the same accuracy and tenacity like he did all the past 22 years in his career (in a couple of days he will become the youngest management board member).
Expertise: He knows money and knows all around the money world. The more he feels ashamed and guilty that this could happen to HIM. Furthermore he has been manipulated by “Mr. Schulze”, member of the scammer team, not to trust anyone in his surroundings and not to say a word to anybody. His expertise is rooted more in the “old bank world”, and he has to dive deep into the crypto world to understand where money goes nowadays, if you want to hide tremendous sums.
C. Intrigue: Secret behind the surface is that WD tries to hide what has happened at all costs, not being able to talk to his wife, his kids or his principals. Another secret is with Emma not telling him directly that she´s part of the scammer team (she did not know he was one of the victims when they first met). A third secret reveals almost at the end of the show, when we find out that Schablonsky, boss of the scammer team, knows WD from the past, and has therefore chosen him as the perfect victim.
D. Moral Issue: Moral boundaries:
Cybercrime: WD transfers huge amounts of money from his clients – at that time convinced and through manipulation that he does the right thing to save them.
Honesty/Lie: WD pretends everything is okay at the wedding of his daughter (though she will not even be able to cash the check he is giving her, because he´s out of money. Also the car he “bought” for his son on his 18th birthday is only leased. WD tries to save his face at any moment, while a the same time close to a nervous break-down.
Burglary: He breaks into his own former office to get access to client data, after he has been suspended.
Blackmail: In order to get his money back he blackmails Schablonsky, “the Boss”, head of the scammer team.
E. Unpredictable: Until the scam happened, WD has had a superclean record. Discovering his own strengths now (never knew he could be so criminal, it´s his way to survive instead of giving up in a hopeless situation like this) he is surprised what he´s capable of – and we, too. Stakes are getting higher and higher, and WD seems unstoppable.
What he doesn´t see coming is also a new love already being on the way.
F. Empathetic: We care deeply for WD, though at first he seems like an careerist (not egocentric, but a little too self-absorbed and proud of what he has achieved in his life and job). Watching him while he is being scammed in a perfidious way gives us the feeling “This could have happened to me”. We feel his shame, guilt and paranoia (I cannot trust anybody, it could have been anyone who knows me well). And we follow him engaged, because we want to know IF he manages to reach the impossible and HOW. Does he survive this – physically and mentally and does his marriage/family life survive this?
We also care deeply for Emma: We see her dilemma being part of the scammer team, but then trying to help WD get out of this situation (and get his life and his reputation back which he both never will). Which will lead to herself being threatened by Jonas and Juli, her two co-workers on the team. Emma´s parents died when she was very young. She never knew how it is like to have money and don´t care about money. She doesn´t have a dad who only waves with his credit card to solve any problem. WD is kind of a father figure and friend to her. For this reason she wants to do everything she´s capable of to winning back his trust and trying to get the money before it´s too late. In doing this she risks her own life and that of her unborn child.
Even the “Boss” has somewhat of our empathy (or let´s say understanding), because he gave 3 young people the chance to get a well-paid job in these days, and having a life. Which doesn´t make him a good guy, but we see how everybody has their reasons in this show – and how this deeply affects the lives and fates of each other.
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What I learned doing this assignment is to lean into the process. When I first began this assignment, I had no idea who these characters would end up being. Watching the sample series REALLY helped me home in on looking at characters, which led nicely to creating the characters for my show.
ASSIGNMENT 1:
EXAMPLE SERIES: The Morning Show
Character: Alex Levy
A. Role in the show:
Lead anchor of TMS. A woman owning her power and position while being attacked form all sides.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: to keep her position as lead anchor, and keep TMS on top in ratings.
Expertise: talking to America, manipulating people, playing on people’s weaknesses/vulnerabilities. Alex breaks rules to get shit done.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
She slept with Mitch and is still secretly in touch with him, even though everyone is forbidden from contacting him.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
She completely upended Bradley’s life with an impromptu announcement, making Bradley co-anchor, creating chaos.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Her career, public and private life is on the line—she’ll do whatever it takes to protect herself. The network has backed her into a corner, and she has to fight her way out, any means necessary, and with what’s within arm’s reach.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
She is being aged out of her position. Her daughter is closer to her husband, who still cares for her. Everyone at the network is against her and it shows. We’re with her when she puts the President in his place in front of his entire team.
Character: Bradley Jackson
A. Role in the show:
Truth teller. Chaos maker. The new co-anchor of the most successful morning news show ever.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: to become the co-anchor of TMS while retaining her genuine core, the parts of her she hasn’t compromised up to this point.
Expertise: She questions everything. She speaks truth.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Her brother is an addict. She comes from an impoverished home. Her mother is a mess. She wants to use TMS to get her real message out (although that’s not much of a secret).
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
From the moment we were introduced to her, we see she is a rebel and she reacts before she thinks things through. And she reacts in the biggest way possible. There is NOTHING subtle about Bradley Jackson.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Her life was upended out of her control. Essentially forced onto national television. She cares deeply for her addict brother, and is being pulled away from her family.
Character: Cory Ellison
A. Role in the show:
President of the News Division. His role is to get rid of Alex and boost TMS’s ratings.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: entire his own success by creating a hit morning show.
Expertise: thinking on his feet. He turns chaos into a breakthroughs. Completely confident in any given moment. Delivering the worst news in the most absolutely charming way.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
He has no idea how things will turn out, but he speaks w/such authority, nobody sees the BS.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Using and manipulating people to get whatever he wants in any given moment.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
A wild cannon. It appears he makes decisions just because they delight him.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
ASSIGNMENT 2:
1. Tell us the journey of your show.
Nora transforms from a wrongfully framed and disgraced ex-con to the woman who single-handedly and secretly turns around a failing small town into a destination empire, all while creating an underground superhighway for a compound stronger than viagra that not only fixes the plumbing, it restores the drive.
2. Who are the main characters that will sell your show?
Nora Glass: disgraced Big Pharma exec/ex-con who moves to Love Springs to start her life over.
Jack Oadlinker: Nora’s closest friend from work, who still believes she’s innocent. They’re in touch, but keep it secret—the company doesn’t allow anyone to be in contact w/Nora, so he uses a burner phone.
Mindy Margolis: Nora’s lifelong friend. Can find a sparkle in a mud puddle. Loyal. Grew up in the town and loves it.
3. Answer these questions for each of those characters.
Character: Nora Glass
Disgraced Big Pharma exec/ex-con who moves to Love Springs to start her life over.
A. Role in the show:
The woman who turns around a failing town and creates a miracle drug—all under the radar while appearing to be a mess.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Unique purpose: to build a new life because the one she had was completely destroyed. There aren’t even any ashes left to rise from.
Expertise: biochemical engineering and an uncanny ability to get people to fall in love with her dream and make it their own. Think a less schemy but just as charming and engaging Billy Crudup in The Morning Show.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Her “completely herbal and legal” substance is built on a proprietary compound formulation she developed before she was fire. She believes she destroyed any traces of it from all digital records. That might not be altogether true…
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Is it really ok to sell unapproved substan ce to people without rigorous testing? She knows better. She worked directly w/the FDA, and she is deliberately slipping through a little-known loophole.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
She has nothing to lose, therefore everything is on the table. When your career, name, reputation, and wealth are publicly excoriated, what’s left to hurt you?
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
She was set up and framed for trying to do the right thing. She lost everything, and as a woman of a certain age, has hurdles that would cripple a man in her position.
Character: Jack Oadlinker
Nora’s closest friend from work, who still believes she’s innocent. They’re in touch, but keep it secret—the company doesn’t allow anyone to be in contact w/Nora, so he uses a burner phone. He is her secret “in” to things/tech at the company. They meet in neutral secret places and sometimes do capers. One could think of Jack and Nora as twins, sharing a psyche. That said, they’re nothing alike, physically or personality wise. Whereas Nora is a charming extravert, Jack is quiet, and lives comfortably in the silences between sentences.
A. Role in the show:
Nora’s best friend and secret connection “inside” the Pharma company that destroyed her.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: to provide Nora with intel and, at times, supplies she needs. He’s also her moral compass—flawed because Nora is his true North.
Expertise: as gifted and experienced biomedical/pharmaceutical engineer as Nora.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
He unwittingly helped provide the CEO with information they could use to frame her. He was made aware of it under threat by said CEO.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
He is knowingly abetting a convicted criminal against the terms of her release to create an untested “drug.”
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Like a neurotic chihuahua, he will nip or yap when he feels threatened.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
He genuinely loves Nora, and is putting his career (and freedom) on the line to help her get her life on track. His wife was dying while all of Nora’s shit was going down, so he wasn’t all the way present to that situation, and he regrets what it did to Nora, as well as regretting having his attention drawn away from his dying wife during critical moments.
Character: Mindy Margolis
Nora’s lifelong friend. Can find a sparkle in a mud puddle. Loyal. Grew up in the town and loves it.
A. Role in the show:
Nora’s best friend and sounding board. Having never left Love Springs, she knows all the secrets.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: to ground Nora, and help her re-establish herself.
Expertise: she is the repository of all information surrounding the history and current happenings and issues in Love Springs. She knows everyone and all their business.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Having grown up in the town, now in her forties, she has secretly slept with many of the men and some of the women who populate the town. Nobody suspects this, especially when three of them are at a lunch table with her. Everybody loves Mindy (in more ways than one), and NOBODY would believe anything negative about her.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
She betrays the trust of married couples, secretly having an affair with both of them.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Mindy is always looking for some excitement. Growing up in a town of 308 people gets boring. Sometimes you have to shake things up to remind yourself you’re alive.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Mindy’s situation forced her to stay in Love Springs. It’s clear she is not living up to her potential—it’s most clear to Mindy. She could have left like everybody else her age, but instead, she stayed to care for others (Not sure who yet. Mother seems too obvious. Will work on this).
Character: Bobby Kyle
Wants the town to stay the same. He remembers the good old days when the town was busy and full of government employees before they decommissioned the radar station at the top of the mountain. Imagine the mayor of Pleasantville, who never wants change. This mayor believes that change will ruin the natural beauty of the town and the area. He actively prevented a ski resort opening in the town, putting in runs, lifts, etc, which included the demolition of the abandoned radar facility which has, over the years become an eyesore, but the good news is you can only see that from above.
A. Role in the show:
Roadblock to any progress, development, or change to the village and adjacent forests.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Purpose: to keep his town the way he remembered it, the way it was in the sixties, when Love Springs was home to a radar installation.
Expertise: a retired litigator, he’s a worthy adversary in a war of words. Don’t let his age fool you. He’s as sharp as he always was, and now, maybe a little meaner.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
He cashed in big when the government leased the mountaintop. He’s still got some vague connections to some sketchy people in various organizations in the government.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
He puts his personal interests above the town’s population by actively preventing growth. Note: figure out why this is important and realistic.
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
In order to always have an edge over people, he works to maintain a “crazy old coot” persona, and one never knows what he’ll do next.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
While he’s a nasty bastard, he wasn’t always that way. Bad luck and circumstance played a role in the town’s (and his fortune’s) demise. Back in the day he was a young man with a family and a vision for a beautiful place. All of that is gone now, and it eats away at him.
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EMPIRE:
Engaging Main Character: Lucious Lyon
A. Role in the Show:
Ex drug dealer turned founder and CEO of a billion dollar record company.
B. Unique Purpose/Expertise:
Expertise – He knows music, is a super talented musician himself, and he knows the street life just as well.
Purpose – To make his family and his company legendary. To make their music immortal.
Irony – He knows that he doesn’t have long to live, but that doesn’t humble him. He is still willing to take a life, although, he fears dying himself.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Lucious is suffering from a terminal illness (ALS). This could potentially keep his company from going public on the NYSE. He is still using his hustler/street tactics to secure his position in the music industry.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Is it okay to take other people’s lives as you fear your own death? Is it okay to put your children/family in dangerous situations for the sake of maintaining your position? Is it okay to have your co-founder/ex-wife removed from the company because of her criminal past, when you’re the reason she was charged with a crime?
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Lucious will stop at nothing to achieve his end goals. He doesn’t care who he hurts, even if it’s family and friends. He will use shame, guilt, threats, physical harm, and withhold financial support to get what he wants. He killed one of his wife’s relatives because he was on drugs, and “a liability.”
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Undeserved misfortune was that he had a bipolar mother who we believe committed suicide in front of him when he was a child. This resulted in him having to raise himself. He is also suffering from a terminal illness and his prognosis is that he has 3 years to live.
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“What I learned doing this assignment is that starting with the characters and what makes them engaging, becomes the building blocks for the actual story.
The Journey of LIKE THE JONESES:
Like the Joneses is a hour long drama about a family cannabis business started by Willie Jones, the CEO, with the assistance of his wife Elaine, and his eldest son Tony. Although Tony is now clean and sober from alcohol for twelve years, and is quite knowledgeable about the legal cannabis world, Willie is still hesitant to give him any additional responsibilities. Meanwhile Willie is doting out responsibilities to Tony’s siblings. When Willie and Elaine decide to take a sabbatical from the business, Willie announces that his nephew Henry will be acting CEO. Upon hearing of this, Pete Roberts, Willie’s nemesis and competitor, heavily recruits Tony to run his company while he focuses on running for Cannabis Commissioner. Tony realizing that he will never have the position he wants in his own family business, decides to take Pete up on his offer.
Lead characters: Tony, Willie, Henry, Pete
A. Role in the show:
Tony – VP of Jones Farmacy, oldest son of Willie Jones
Willie – CEO, Founder of Jones Farmacy
Henry – Nephew of Willie Jones, raised by Willie, grew up in Tony’s shadow, now Willie’s go to guy
Pete – CEO of Green Gold, a competing cannabis company. Willie’s former friend turned nemesis.
B. Unique Purpose / Expertise:
Tony – Knows the ins and outs of the legal cannabis world. Ensures that the company stays legal and doesn’t violate licensing regulations.
Willie – Has extensive cannabis knowledge when it comes to growing and selling.
Henry – Experienced in making corporate deals. Has ties with the upper echelon in the business world. Knows how to attract investors.
Pete – Knows the legal and illegal side of the cannabis world. Connected to the people in power at the Cannabis Commission. A lot of people owe him favors.
C. Intrigue: What is secret beneath the surface?
Tony – He lives with a constant fear of failure and being alone forever. Fears relapsing more than anything.
Willie – Doesn’t trust anyone to run his company. Feels closer to Henry than his biological children. Paid someone at the commission to ensure his licensure application was approved.
Henry – As much as he loves and respects Willie, he can’t see past personal gain.
Pete – He betrayed his best friend because of a woman. He sincerely wants Tony to succeed, but more so as a peace offering to Willie.
D. Moral Issue: What moral boundaries are they crossing?
Tony – Is it okay to use cannabis as a way to stay sober from alcohol? Can he really say he’s sober? Is it okay to work for a man who tried to destroy your father and your family business? Is it okay to help build the business of potential competitors?
Willie – Is it okay to condemn street dealers, although you are their supplier? Is it okay to not trust your son, though he’s proven himself time and time again? Is it okay to put someone in charge who hasn’t even been around the business in years?
Henry – He’s willing to cross out family for personal gain. He makes side deals that could jeopardize the family business. He is only loyal to himself, not even his twin sister.
Pete – Is it okay to recruit your enemy’s son for your business, and essentially turn him against his dad? Is it okay to use your power and influence to destroy your former friend? Is it okay to seek revenge on those who you believe wronged you?
E. Unpredictable: What will they do next?
Tony – Makes emotional decisions, takes risks when he feels rejected. He’s willing to do things for love and acceptance over money.
Willie – Will go to any lengths to maintain control, because he trusts no one, not even his wife.
Henry – He’s willing to make deals with opponents, willing to risk the integrity of the family business to gain more power.
Pete – He has an end goal, and unwilling to stray from it. The end justifies the means in his mind.
F. Empathetic: Why do we care?
Tony – Forced to live with his dad after his parents divorced. Dealt with being an alcoholic for years, lost his wife and access to his child because of it. Never given real opportunities in a company he helped to build. Never given the opportunity to develop his full potential. Blamed for things that went wrong early on in the business.
Willie – He’s been betrayed by his closest friend and business partner in the past. Never really had a childhood. Not given a choice in what he was going to do with his life.
Henry – His mother died in combat when he was young. His father was never stable enough to raise him. Grew up always being compared to Tony.
Pete – His woman left him for his best friend. He experienced racial discrimination in his early days in the cannabis industry. Didn’t have the privileged life that Willie has had. Had to work twice as hard for everything he’s gotten.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Chanda Haynes.
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