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Lesson 3
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11 Replies
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Frances’ Right Characters!
Here is how my four characters fit in with the Hook of my story centered on a conflict between realism and idealism:
One character is a disillusioned cynic.
One character is a hopeless optimist.
One character is a grounded realist.
One character is a believer in magic. -
Marni's Right Characters:
WHAT I LEARNED:
It’s not just a matter of making the characters and their motivations interesting. You also have to make them interact in such a way that they will cause the other characters to react strongly and make decisions that will raise the tension levels.1. A cybersecurity technician with severe OCD that just cannot let details go.
2. An oversight manager who spends more time trying to be liked than paying attention to his job.
3. A Belarusian for-hire agent with a penchant for dismemberment.
4. A pompous, self-serving boss who underestimates and underpays his employees.Each of these characters fit a piece of a larger puzzle for something that takes place at their work. Their characteristics clash and exacerbate one another in just the right way to cause maximum conflict.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by Marni Sullivan.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by
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Contained Movie Lesson 3
Subject line: Bob Rowen’s Right Characters
I learned how to create characters that bring the story’s essence to life.
HOOK: When a teacher passionate about the truth is accused of radicalizing his students, he uncovers that the accusations are part of a larger conspiracy—and the real lesson is survival.
How the main characters fit with the Hook:
• The teacher (protagonist) who is deeply committed to presenting his subjects through an unfiltered lens, pushing students to think critically. His dedication to truth makes him a natural target for those who fear open dialogue, setting him up for accusations of “radicalizing” his students. This commitment to open inquiry makes him a threat to the conspiracy-driven school board president, who seeks to stifle dissent and control the curriculum’s narrative.
• The president of the school board (antagonist) and his conspiratorial cohorts (vice principal and two political powerbrokers) are unyielding in their twisted beliefs (and motivations), viewing any deviation from their beliefs as a direct threat to their vision for the school system.
• The vice principal motivated to do whatever the school board president asks of him for his own personal gain.
• Two guest speakers (an elderly Holocaust survivor and a German immigrant) who the teacher invited to his classroom to share their personal histories and views are called upon to testify at the teacher’s dismissal hearing.These main characters generate the conflict the teacher must somehow overcome.
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Leona Heraty’s Right Characters!
What I learned doing this assignment is… the more conflict I create between the characters and their reaction to being contained in one location adds so many layers and intrigue to the story!Hook: Two sisters and a male cousin who don’t get along are stuck in a greenhouse with a vengeful ghost but if they try to leave, they will die because toxic fumes surround the building.
How does each main character fit with the Hook and enhance/cause conflict? These characters are right for this story because they have conflicts with each other, and with life in general, and they have to figure these problems out to get out alive.
Main Characters:
Sister #1: Fits with the Hook because she is a botanist stuck in a greenhouse she’s exploring for a paper she’s writing. She adds conflict because she’s claustrophobic but they can’t leave because of toxic gases.
Sister #2: Fits with the Hook because she’s a coward and a scaredy cat and is more afraid of the vengeful ghost than the toxic gases that surround the greenhouse. She keeps trying to escape to get away from the ghost, putting them in danger.
Male Cousin: Fits with the main Hook because he’s in a wheelchair due to an accident and he has his own ghosts to deal with, but he’s refused to try to walk again because he believes his life is over because he can’t be a Navy Seal. He’s as angry as the vengeful ghost and this adds to the conflict because he taunts the ghosts and makes her more angry and dangerous.
Vengeful Ghost: She is the previous lady of the mansion who loved flowers and growing them in her greenhouse, but she was poisoned by her husband there, because he wanted her money, which she meant for her daughter. The husband buried the money in the mansion, and her great granddaughter needs the money, and she will not be happy until the money is found and given to her rightful heir. She will not let anyone leave until they find the money. She created the toxic fumes through her mixture of decomposing odd and rare plants.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by Leona Heraty.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by
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Micki’s Right Characters
What I learn while preparing the assignment is that the deeper the characters are and more soundly their hooks are onto the concept, the story can be clearer.
1. Family A: The Andersons
Patriarch: The Control Freak
Connection to the Hook: relentless need for control mirrors the unyielding passage of time in the hotel. No matter how much he tries to perfect the evening, the clock never reaches midnight. His personal growth comes when he learns to let go of his rigid expectations and embrace the messiness of life and relationships.
Teen Daughter: The Social Media Queen
Social media queen is more concerned with documenting the perfect Christmas Eve for her followers than actually enjoying it. She spends most of her time taking selfies, filming TikToks, and engaging in the prank war with the other family for “content.”
Connection to the Hook: Social media queen obsession with appearances reflects the shallow nature of the family’s feuding. Her realization that she’s been missing out on authentic moments of connection because of her fixation on her online persona becomes key to breaking the cycle.
Young Son: The Mischievous Prankster
The mischievous prankster is the one who starts the prank war with the rival family, believing that it’s all just good fun. As the day keeps repeating, his pranks escalate out of boredom and frustration, becoming meaner and more destructive.
Connection to the Hook: The mischievous prankster pranks are symbolic of the destructive nature of holding onto grudges and focusing on competition instead of connection. As the loop continues, he begins to see the emotional impact of his actions on others, and this insight becomes critical in ending the feud.
2. Family B: The Walkers
Matriarch: – The Cynical Realist
Cynical Realist is tired of the commercialization of Christmas and views the holiday as nothing more than a stressful, hollow event. She’s the one who initiates many of the pranks out of spite, seeing them as a way to inject some reality into the overly sentimental atmosphere.
Connection to the Hook: The Cynical Realist cynicism is tied to the emotional stasis that keeps the families trapped. She represents the jaded perspective that must be overcome in order for the families to move forward. Her eventual shift toward embracing the magic of Christmas and allowing herself to be vulnerable becomes a turning point in breaking the spell.
College-Aged Son: – The Intellectual Skeptic
The Intellectual Skeptic approaches the situation with cold logic, convinced that the endless Christmas Eve is some kind of psychological or scientific anomaly. He tries to find a rational solution, rejecting any idea that there’s a magical or emotional component to the situation.
Connection to the Hook: The Intellectual Skeptic refusal to accept that the solution could be emotional rather than intellectual mirrors the family’s broader struggle to let go of their animosity. His eventual recognition that not everything can be explained logically, and that emotional growth is necessary, helps move the families toward resolution.
Young Daughter: – The Christmas Enthusiast
The Christmas Enthusiast loves everything about Christmas and is initially thrilled to be in an endless Christmas Eve. However, as time goes on, even she grows frustrated by the lack of progress toward Christmas Day. Her childlike excitement becomes tinged with impatience and sadness as she begins to realize that Christmas Eve means nothing without Christmas Day.
Connection to the Hook: The Christmas Enthusiast initial enthusiasm reflects the surface-level excitement of the holiday season, but her eventual frustration represents the deeper emotional truth that the anticipation of Christmas means little without meaningful connection. Her desire to see the families come together becomes a key emotional driver in resolving the conflict.
How Each Character Fits the Perpetual Christmas Eve Hook:
Patriarch obsession with control fits the broader theme of being stuck in time—his need to make everything perfect is exactly what keeps the families from progressing to Christmas Day. His arc will revolve around learning to let go of control and focus on enjoying the present moment.
Social media queen fixation on appearances and social media keeps her emotionally distant, mirroring the artificiality of the endless holiday festivities. Her journey will be about discovering the value of genuine, in-the-moment connections with others instead of curating her image.
The Mischievous Prankster love for pranks escalates the conflict, and his growing awareness of the impact of his actions parallels the overall story’s message about the cost of rivalry. His character will evolve as he learns empathy and responsibility.
Matriarch cynicism about Christmas reflects the families’ emotional stagnation. Her transformation from viewing the holiday as empty consumerism to embracing its emotional core will be central to breaking the cycle.
The Intellectual Skeptic rational skepticism symbolizes the families’ unwillingness to confront the emotional roots of their conflict. His eventual acceptance of the emotional and magical elements of their situation will help push the narrative toward resolution.
Christmas Enthusiast childlike enthusiasm for Christmas initially feels like the ideal reaction, but as she becomes frustrated with the unending anticipation, she highlights the importance of moving forward. Her emotional insight, despite her young age, will help the families understand that Christmas isn’t just about the event, but about the people you share it with.
By exploring the individual arcs of each character in relation to the perpetual Christmas Eve hook, the story becomes not just a prank war between rival families, but a deeper exploration of how personal growth and emotional vulnerability are necessary to break free from conflict and find genuine holiday joy.
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Karyn Laitis–Assignment 3-Right Characters!!!
“What I learned doing this assignment is…?”
I learned that each character has their own, unique connection to the Hook, other characters and a timeline as well as a synergy that moves the story direction.Concept/Hook-A explorer’s discovery in a labyrinthine cave awakens a dangerous alien species which reveals the dark and hidden origins of humanity and threatens its existence.
Characters:
1. Protagonist—Impulsive, genius, driven, damaged, guilt-ridden, secret knowledge
2. Antagonist—Charismatic, manipulative, opportunist, distrusting, ruthless, corrosive
3. Supporting 1—Knowledgeable, calm, reason, seeking, bullied, cautious
4. Supporting 2—Practical, loyal, brave, distrustful, spiritual, indigenous
5. The “Aliens” & Cave—A super intelligence, shapeshifting, reality-altering energy -
Gina’s Right Characters!
What I learned doing this assignment is… Really thinking about the characters in relation to the story hook forces you to come up with the conflicts that are necessary to create something that will entertain and engage the reader / audience.
I ended up going down a research rabbit hole with job titles and responsibilities for the characters in my contained environment, so for now, they are just called “scientist.”
Scientist #1 – Joined the group to research and create undiscovered cures, as it is his only hope to save his dying child. He WILL NOT leave the facility without discovering that cure.
Scientist #2 – Former military who is secretly a mercenary hired to steal a virus housed in this facility. He will do whatever it takes to get his payday.
Scientist #3 – Works on finding cures with the group, but also works in the classified section of the lab with volatile viruses and questionable ethics regarding experimentation.
Tech person – Only person on board who can run the communication, life support, and other systems. Has a crush on the scientist, doesn’t know he is a merc for hire, who exploits and manipulates those feelings.
There is at least one more scientist and a security guard that I need to add to the group.
I think these are the right characters for the story as everyone has their own agenda that on the surface looks like they are working together, but underneath, they will make decisions that will work in their favor no matter the cost to the rest of the group.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by Gina Coviello.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by
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Anna Maganini’s Right Characters –
What I learned – it strengthened my ideas on the characters and their traits and history, but also it made me see how these traits interact to create a more impactful story, hook, and conflict
How each character uniquely fits the hook?
Rainey is a crippled woman, which adds to her helplessness when thieves invade her house and an unknown SNIFFER dictates her every move. But she’s also a former Afghanistan soldier, trained to find solutions in the worst situations.
The couple who rob her, Josh and Elaine, are tough sociopaths, who will seemingly do anything, even kill, without emotion. But are they really? Desperate and deeply in debt, they are forced by the SNIFFER to commit crimes they don’t want to do.
The SNIFFER smells and hears anything going on in neighbors’ homes and forces them to do evil things for his pleasure. He is later unmasked as a vulnerable old man.
How does each character enhance or cause the conflict or hook?
– Crippled, helpless Rainey seems like a sitting duck for evil doers.
– She wants to fit in and belong so much, she willingly plays a strange ‘neighborly’ game that grows ominous.
– The game takes advantage of her crush on a certain neighbor
– She is helpless in the shower as crimes are committed against her
– She uses her soldierly skills to break the game and all its rules just before the ticking time bomb blows them all up.
Josh and Elaine are forced into the game to get out of debt
But they’re volatile and unstable and threaten their own lives and Rainey’s throughout
At first they appear to run the show with aggressive bravado.
But they turn out to be the weakest villains.
THE SNIFFER is a brilliant strategist with an evil mind who devises evil games
His sharp olfactory & hearing abilities allow him to know what neighbors are doing
He controls them by exploiting their vulnerabilities
No one knows who he is.
Rainey unmasks him as a vulnerable old man in the most explosive way possible
These characters help feed the hook and conflict, and their contrasting natures interact in a way that raises the stakes for the conflict in the story and with each other.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by Anna Maganini.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by
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Arthur’s Right Characters.
I learned that each character may align with the hook in distinct ways that enhance their role in the story and the central conflict. The interactions among the characters deepens the hook’s impact.
Hook: Trapped on an island teeming with monstrous creations from an abandoned bio-weapons lab, six teens must outwit the deadly, monstrous, mutated wildlife that stalks them at every turn.
How each character uniquely fits with the hook:
Riley Stone – As the “final girl,” Riley embodies resilience and the struggle to survive. Her backstory of trauma makes her fight against the mutated wildlife deeply personal, adding emotional weight to her survival journey. Her desire to prove herself aligns with the urgency of escaping the island.
Alex Kimble – Alex’s optimism acts as a counterbalance to the fear that grips the group. His motivation to keep everyone hopeful enhances the tension as he tries to maintain morale while confronting the life-threatening situation, making his eventual demise even more impactful.
Mason Turner – Mason’s reckless bravery drives the action forward. His impulsive decisions to confront the creatures reflect the danger inherent in their situation, making him a catalyst for conflict. His character’s arc shows the consequences of underestimating the threat, heightening the stakes for everyone.
Samira “Sam” Patel – Sam’s scientific curiosity positions her as the group’s voice of reason. However, her logical approach to the creatures ultimately leads to her downfall, emphasizing the theme that not all knowledge is beneficial in life-or-death situations. Her demise serves as a wake-up call for the others.
Tyler “Ty” Grant – Ty’s humor masks his insecurities, making him both a source of levity and tension. His desire to live life to the fullest contrasts sharply with the horror surrounding them, highlighting the stakes of their predicament. His demise underlines the dangers of bravado in the face of true terror.
Jordan Lee – Jordan’s fascination with the macabre aligns with the eerie atmosphere of the island. His artistic perspective adds depth to the story, showing how the environment influences the characters. His obsession with capturing the horror ultimately leads to his end, reinforcing the peril of ignoring danger for the sake of art.
How each character enhances or causes the conflict:
Riley – Riley’s inner struggle with her past trauma leads her to be cautious, which may clash with others’ more reckless attitudes. Her reluctance to take risks can create tension within the group as they face the urgency of survival, especially when others want to confront the predators directly.
Alex- Alex’s optimistic nature can create friction when his hopeful outlook clashes with Riley’s skepticism. His desire to rally the group may lead him to take unnecessary risks to keep their spirits up, causing others to follow suit even when they should be cautious.
Mason – Mason’s impulsive bravado often puts him at odds with Riley’s cautious approach. His willingness to confront danger head-on can lead to reckless decisions that endanger the entire group, creating a cycle of escalating risks that heighten the tension and urgency of their situation.
Samira – Sam’s scientific mindset can lead to disagreements about the best way to handle the situation. While she seeks logical explanations and solutions, her insistence on studying the creatures can distract the group from immediate threats, increasing the likelihood of a deadly encounter.
Tyler – Ty’s humor and need to be the life of the party can lead to inappropriate reactions during serious moments, frustrating those who are more focused on survival. His impulsive need to prove himself can also push him into dangerous situations, increasing the stakes for the group.
Jordan Lee – Jordan’s dark fascination with the island and its dangers can create unease among the group. His artistic obsession may lead him to take risks to capture moments, which can cause others to worry about his safety and the group’s overall survival.
What makes these characters right for the story?
These characters are the “right ones” for the story because they each bring unique traits, motivations, and conflicts that enrich the story and enhance its themes.
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David Kandel’s Right Characters!
What I learned: This process helps spotlight conflicts and generates ideas for deeper conflicts.
ED:
A retired insurance salesman, 83 years old. He’s gullible and hard of hearing. He’s becoming more forgetful, which scares him and makes him grumpier than ever.
• Complains about everything: food, inside temperature, noise, his roommates, TV shows, news, politics, childrenSTAN:
A retired prosecuting attorney, 86 years old. He’s skeptical, caustic, and easily frustrated. He’s opinionated and his eyesight is starting to fail.
• He can’t let go of the past.
• He’s bitter.
• He holds a grudge.
• He doesn’t trust his roommates or the caretakers.FRANK:
A retired truck driver, 81 years old, who is street smart but never graduated high school. He’s silly, sarcastic, and often boastful, to compensate for his lack of education.SHAYLA:
A Black home health aide, 40–60, who is sassy and rough around the edges. She’s a religious woman who works hard and demands respect. She has a heart of gold but a quick temper and a salty mouth when angered. She gets aggressive when anybody challenges her religious beliefs.BOBBIE:
An attractive woman, 20-25, who knows she’s hot. She’s often bored and lackadaisical. She’s working as a home health aide to pay for college. She and Shayla can’t stand each other. They argue whenever they are in the same room.-
This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by David Kandel.
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This reply was modified 9 months, 1 week ago by
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Joy Smith’s Right Characters!
What I learned doing this assignment is… although I hadn’t really defined my concept enough to have character ideas, it wasn’t too painful to generate sketches based on what opposing forces would make for a good romcom. These also deliver on the concept of the story by them each having a unique role in delivering Christmas – so there’s also a high level of peril if they’re stuck on the island too. I might give them 2nd jobs that are Christmas Eve specific, but I can figure that out later.
NORTH POLE OFFICE PARTY
Santa’s daughter, Sandra Claus, must choose a husband at a Bermuda Triangle island party before Christmas, or risk Santa losing his powers and Christmas not going ahead.
1. With each of your main characters, how can they uniquely fit with the Hook?
The main conflict is around who will succeed Santa – this is why he’s forcing her to choose a husband.
Sandra Claus: Mr & Mrs Claus’s rebellious daughter. Designs new holiday rituals and customs to keep Santa’s role relevant in an ever-changing world. This works because she will end up being the new Santa – a woman!
Love Interest: work as one of the Santa Decoy Co-ordinators – managing the lookalike Santas around the world to maintain the myth and avoid suspicion during the holiday season. He actually ends up being the love decoy as well.
Santa’s Approved Husband: Works as a Wish Granularity Specialist, so knows that Sandra doesn’t want to marry him… until she does! He’s too into the detail, too picky, too pedantic. He works well as Sandra’s opposite all through the movie, but they discover that makes them a great team.
2. Thinking about the conflict that hook creates, how does each main character enhance or cause that conflict?
Sandra is stubborn and doesn’t want to go along with her Dad’s wishes. She has conflict with him. She’s also more of a strategic thinker, which means she is constantly in conflict with Santa’s Approved Husband.
The Love Interest manages decoy Santas, so should know all about Santa. He doesn’t even realise what will happen to Santa while they’re stuck in there, and he is himself a decoy and not the right match for Sandra. I need to think of a reason why Santa dislikes him so much though, which relates to Christmas and decoys.
Santa’s Approved Husband can’t see the big picture around why Sandra might not want him. He is full of details and information about Christmas, and too focussed on his nose to see what’s in front of his face.
3. Tell us what makes these characters the “right ones” for this story?
They’re all clueless when it comes to love, but know a lot about Christmas in their own different ways. The characters are somewhat opposite to each other, which makes them the perfect love triangle. Their grumpiness is offset by Santa’s superhuman cheerfulness.
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