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Lesson 5
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What I learned from this lesson:
That I still need to refine the character Arc for Dara Phan. I’m struggling to put the subtext of her main character arc into words.
It was helpful to think in terms of what I think makes my main characters attractive as roles. I hope this will help me in eventually pitching script.
<b style=”background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>ACTOR ATTRACTOR Model for CHARACTER 1
Lead Character Name: Dara Phan, Protagonist
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Quick-witted badass with both comical and outrageous past as an erotic massage girl.
2. What makes this character one of the most
interesting characters in the movie?Dara cleverly schemes to get what she wants and generally outwits (literally and figuratively) everyone else.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Treating a dive bar stand-up set like it’s the gig of her life; spontaneously roasting her ex-probation officer, Pat; confronting Pat at comedy festival; trying to talk Pat into roast battling her on TV; scheming to convince Pat to do the roast battle; asking an A-list comedian to battle her instead; using knowledge of Pat’s weaknesses to manipulate her; disrupting her own romantic/sexual interlude with a friend; spying at entertainment studio after roast battle audition; returning to sex work; stopping herself from going through with it; going to save Pat; roast battling Pat on TV; defending Pat from A-list comedian; joining A-list comedian’s tour and TV show.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Dara is making the best of a miserable stand-up gig she got for herself and her posse of stand-up comics. We see that she’s the leader of the group, eagerly rolls with the punches and handles an unruly crowd by roasting the audience.
Alternately: She could be having a conversation with her best friend before she goes onstage at a comedy festival.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Put-upon, un-phased, shocked, elated, determined, staggered, angry, frustrated, hopeful, discouraged, devastated, callous, caring, suspicious, furious, romantic, heart-warmed.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Dara is constantly scheming and pivoting to get what she wants. It’s clear that she needs to be able to forgive and embrace her true spirit of caring for others.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With Pat, the ex-probation officer, protagonist. Dara believes Pat ruined her big break to make it in comedy/entertainment, though Pat was also responsible for Dara getting into stand-up in the first place. They have more in common than either thinks they do. Resolving past issues between them and becoming friends is what will help them resolve their personal struggles with trusting people in general.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Through her ability to be instantly creative and make the best of bad situations.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
She’s a sex worker turned stand-up comedian, willing to reveal her questionable past onstage. Because she’s clever, witty and found her true calling as a comic, her struggle to make it as a comedian is endearing.
ACTOR ATTRACTOR Model for CHARACTER 2
Lead Character Name: Pat McCarthy
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Pat is full of intriguing contradictions. She can at turns be brave and bold; and sometimes skittish. She goes from being a diehard loner to wanting to be part of a group and genuinely help others. She can be witty and wiley if pushed into a corner.
2. What makes this character one of the most
interesting characters in the movie?Pat is a suspended probation officer who got in trouble for a quirky reason: her obsession with saving one of her parolee’s pets. For solace, Pat turned to taking a stand-up comedy class, which leads to her being in same comedy festival as Dara. Pat’s wit and ability to be reached by humor makes her a worthy opponent for Dara.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Performing at a stand-up comedy festival; allowing Dara to drive her home from festival, even though Dara had just confronted her: allowing Dara into her home; admitting her failure to Dara; walking shelter dogs at Dara’s insistence: allowing herself to be trained for a roast battle; going to party she fears going to; auditioning for TV roast battle; tricking Dara into “rescuing” her; performing at TV roast battle; confronting host at TV roast battle; going to dog shelter and finding Dara there.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
She’s telling funny jokes about being a probation officer at a stand-up comedy festival. So she’s presented as unique.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Competent, cool, Indifferent. depressed, skeptical, anxious, panicked, relieved, excited, heart-warmed, happy.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
It’s clear that Pat is missing out on life by isolating herself and living in fear.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With the protagonist Dara. Dara is able to influence Pat to the point that Pat is forever changed by their friendship.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Through her wisecracks and sarcasm.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Pat is uniquely open to new experience, despite her fears. She can be reached through humor and in the end responds to being accepted for her quirks.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by Jane Alcala.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by Jane Alcala.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by
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