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WIM+AI – Module 3 – Lesson 1: Characters That Sell Scripts
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SUBJECT LINE: Frank’s actor attractors for “War of the Roses”.
I see myself writing two great, marketable screenplays every year going forward and teaming up with a manager/friend. Short term, I imagine a very difficult but valuable and rewarding six months going balls to the wall in this class.
Completing this assignment, I fell in love with this assignment. I know that there’s more to discover using this tool: I believe the more I use it the more I can pinpoint clearer answers to the nine questions. But wow! I already see myself applying this lesson to my story. I discovered a new excitement doing this!
MOVIE TITLE: War of the Roses
LEAD CHARACTER NAME: Barbara
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Female lead who can compete with men on the same level: smart, physical, battle worn, guided by wealth, participate in a risky dark comedy about marriage.
What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Even though she does not have the Harvard education of her husband, she can match his smarts and wit step for step. Even through escalating violence she has more grit than him… to the end.
What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Her charming quick love affair from zero to sixty with two children in tow. Wanting total possession over everything she created. Decorating. Cooking/catering. Surprising admission of divorcing her husband. Escalating pranks. Use of seduction. Refusal to surrender anything.
How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
She’s a hard-working gal in a man’s world who shows she can out smart an intelligent guy by purchasing the antique. She’s in total control of her future by deciding to have sex with him right off! Damn the consequences. She’s ready to compete.
What is this character’s emotional range?
Caring, loving, even gifting to her husband without gifting to herself to a confident, determined, self-supporting women who charges into a violent battle to the death with her husband to protect her accumulated wealth.
What subtext can the actor play?
She can use her sexuality and physical prowess as a weapon when addressing female weakness in front of men.
What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Husband. Her husband’s attorney buddy. Her children.
How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Straight, no-nonsense individual raising her family not afraid of hard work to succeed and pitch-in for the greater good of all. What you see is what you get kind of gal. Without pretense.
What makes this character special and unique?
Hard working, determined female in a man’s world with little education who builds her own career after building a family and decorating her home and has the courage and ability to go toe to toe with a man, even physically fighting with each other, to keep what she worked so hard for.
(Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The wife is throwing a gourmet dinner at home for her top clientele when her drunken, angry, violent husband ruins all the food in front of her guests. In retaliation she drives her 4-wheel truck into and over her husband’s prize sports car, completely crushing it and almost killing him.LEAD CHARACTER NAME: Jonathan
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Co-star with an A lister: sophisticated, smart, guided by wealth, participate in a risky dark comedy about marriage.
What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Charming, handsome, rich, educated with an eye for culture and can go from extremely mannered and caring to maniacal and deadly.
What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Spoiled with wealthy objects: car. His knowledge and hobby for antiques that have future monetary value. Harvard education. Kiss ass approach to success with his boss. His determination to out-prank his wife: cut off his nose to spite himself. Self-righteousness. Even after going to war with his wife, he wants to reconcile for love’s sake,
How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He’s smart, sophisticated: dabbles in antiques, but not afraid to work with his hands. Carefree and adventuress living on Nantucket. Victim of instant sexual attraction: love at first site: sex.What is this character’s emotional range?
Loving, caring, compassionate but spoiled to a raving violent maniac who attempts to hurt and kill his wife and everything she cares about.
What subtext can the actor play?
He is shrewd, always scheming behind everyone’s back to get what he wants in life.
What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His wife. His attorney buddy. His children. His boss.
How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Air of elitism and privilege and self-righteousness from Harvard. Sophistication through collecting antiques.
What makes this character special and unique?
The fact that a highly educated and somewhat sophisticated calm man can turn into a raving maniac, losing complete control of his mental faculties and reverting to primal instinct to prove he knows best.
End of the story in total loss of control and about to kill his wife, he teases her with a priceless antique, then smashes it in anger, then attempts to physically harm her. But she gets the best of him smashing his face and pushing him down the stairs. She is about to fall to her death over a collapsed second floor railing and jumps to a hanging chandelier. Her life is still in danger, he comes to her aid to save her still after they both have lost their minds and have attempted to murder each other. The light still crashes to the floor lobby, and he reaches out to her and secures her hand in a loving caress before dying and she simply takes his hand and throws it away like she wants nothing to do with him, even in death.
(Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
End of the story in total loss of control and about to kill his wife, he teases her with a priceless antique, then smashes it in anger, then attempts to physically harm her. But she gets the best of him smashing his face and pushing him down the stairs. She is about to fall to her death over a collapsed second floor railing and jumps to a hanging chandelier. Her life is still in danger, he comes to her aid to save her still after they both have lost their minds and have attempted to murder each other. The light still crashes to the floor lobby, and he reaches out to her and secures her hand in a loving caress before dying and she simply takes his hand and throws it away like she wants nothing to do with him, even in death. -
Deme’s Actor’s attractors for The Devil’s PunchBowl
MY VISION: I am a EGOT writer who is very successful and revered by the industry for writing amazing stories that will live on in history.
What I learned from doing this assignment is it helped me to brainstorm ways to elevate my character so that A List actors would be attached and want to take the role. Also, I fought trying to get it perfect. I know we have plenty of time to keep elevating our characters.
Example Move: The Silence of The Lambs
Lead Character Name: Jodie Foster1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Young training student not yet FBI agent given an “interesting errand” to interview and pick the brain of a serial killer- Hannibal (“Cannibal”) Lecter.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? She is given an assignment of getting to know a serial killer who helps her find another serial killer.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Interviews serial killer; does autopsy report of a victim of Buffalo Bill; kills Buffalo Bill, another serial killer.
4. How is the character introduced that could sell it to an actor? Clarice is running on an obstacle course when pulled into the boss’s office and given an interesting errand of interviewing a serial killer no one has been able to get answers from.
5. What is the character’s emotional range? Young, innocent & naive to vulnerable and confident.
6. What subtext can the actor play? Fearful and vulnerable- wanting to prove she can do the job, overcoming her fears.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? A growing relationship w/ Hannibal Lecter, the serial killer.
8. How is the character’s unique voice presented? She is not afraid to question authority & speak up about what bothers her; what matters despite being the only woman in a room full of men. She shows vulnerability and strength when she’s with Hannibal, gaining his trust.
9. What makes this character special and unique?She must reveal her secrets to Hannibal- letting him into her head; the thing her boss warned her not to do. She goes into the house to question a man about a victim and discovers it’s Buffalo Bill – in the dark, she plays a cat & mouse game trying to locate him and free a captive before he kills them both.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.) The scene when she sees Hannibal in the cage and he gets her to confide about living on the farm where they slaughtered lambs in particular one she loved and the scene where she searches for Buffalo Bill in the dark basement.My Move: The Devil’s PunchBowl
Lead Character Name: Henry Carpenter1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Black man hides his true heritage from a group of White supremacists while he battles with the guilt of causing the death of his wife.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? Despite his guilt and low self esteem, he is able to fool and manipulate everyone and expose the truth about the antagonist.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? He changes his mannerisms and voice to sound more caucasian. He attends a Black Lives Matter protest. He enlists the help of a White supremacist to expose the head of the Klan in the town. He exposes the Black heritage of a White supremacist leader. When she tries to kill him; he is the victor.
4. How is the character introduced that could sell it to an actor? He wakes up from a dream of the accident that killed his wife and puts his son in a coma. Loses his job due to excessive drug use that causes him to miss assignments after a big promotion. Changes his appearance.
5. What is the character’s emotional range? From quilt-ridden, worthless, secretive to fearless, strong, defiant & unstoppable.
6. What subtext can the actor play? He changes his language to hide his Blackness. He doesn’t speak in his usual slang that would give away the fact that he is Black. His changes his gate to resemble the way a White man would walk.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? The relationship with the neighbor who is loyal to the antagonist but finds the courage to help the protagonist bring her down, risking her life. His relationship with the antagonist who, once she realizes her true identity, plots to kill the protagonist before he, who she knows is Black exposes her. She must discredit him.
8. How is the character’s unique voice presented? Through his ability to be a chameleon, he is able to discover who the antagonist really is and the power she has over some of the town’s people by pertaining to be a “Good Samaritan “.
9. What makes this character special and unique? His ability to change his appearance, voice intonations and gait to appear to someone he is not.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.) The scene: the protagonist is tortured by the antagonist and their true selves are exposed, the neighbor interrupts just before the antagonist is about to deal the final blow; they escape, the protagonist tells the neighbor to get the FBI while he goes to rescue those still alive in The Devil’s PunchBowl and the antagonist returns, a fight ensues. The protagonist is victorious.-
This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by Demethress Davis.
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This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by Demethress Davis.
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This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by
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Actor Attractors for DIE HARD
My Vision: I’m a writer that producers want to work with and can’t wait for my next script!!!
“What I learned from doing this assignment is…?” I struggle with characters. It’s not that I am a perfectionist; I just have a difficult time with it. I need to work on it a lot more.
ASSIGNMENT
6. Give us the Actor Attractors for your Example Movie and your characters. Post them to the forums at http://ScreenwritingClasses.com/forums
ACTOR ATTRACTORS
Movie Title: DIE HARD
Lead Character Name: OFFICER JOHN McCLANE
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Average Joe cop becomes hero when he saves the day defeating a group of terrorists.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
His poise, wits, bravery – all while he’s barefoot.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Jumps into action when he hears gunshots, isn’t afraid to face danger, climbs into an elevator shaft, blows things up, tons of gunfire, jumps off a building smashing into a window and almost getting pulled back outside, lots of fighting.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Goes from an average Joe cop to being a special operation guy.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Doesn’t like flying/ cares for and loves his wife / tough as-nails guy / lots of pain and suffering
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Toys with the terrorists with both action and dialogue knowing he is going to outwit them.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Develops a relationship with Officer Al Powell, an LA cop – they both speak the same language – they understand each other, trust each other, and confide in each other. In the end, John McClane saves the day, but it’s Officer Powell who saves McClane from a terrorist who McClane thought he had killed.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Sensitive at times, harsh and brass when needed,
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s a cop – quick thinking – full of surprises.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
In the CLIMAX, McClane faces off with Hans Gruber, the head terrorist/antagonist, who is holding is wife at gunpoint. He is poised as Hans threatens to kill his wife unless he puts his gun down. McClane does so, then begins laughing, confusing Hans who also begins laughing. Quick as a cat McClane grabs the pistol that is taped to his back and shoots Hans and then shoots another terrorist dead thus saving his wife.Lead Character Name: Hans Gruber
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Plays a bad-ass terrorist, who is intelligent, sophisticated, and ruthless.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He is poised and cunning, in complete control all the time.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Shoots two hostages in the head for different reasons (ruthless), plays hostage when trapped by McClane, gives the orders to his cronies and is in complete control of the situation.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He leads a group of terrorists out of the back of a cube truck into the building, dressed like a well-to-do businessman.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Poised and in complete control to rage.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Constantly scheming, looking for the edge.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His relationship with John McClane (protagonist) because John McClane is the “fly-in-the-ointment” – constantly disrupting his plans. He respects John, but wants him dead. 8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He has an accent. He never lets on the he isn’t in control of thew situation and he’s willing to be ruthless if the situation calls for ruthlessness.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s a high-class, well-to-do, intelligent character. He has devised a plan to steal $600 million dollars.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Hans and John meet face to face, John has a gun pointed at him, but Hans, through some quick thinking, plays a hostage, then turn-the-tables on John when John hands him a gun, only to learn later that John gave him a gun without bullets. It’s a chess game between the two.-
This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by Brian Bull.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by Brian Bull.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 3 weeks ago by
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MAILMAN’S CHARACTERS THAT SELL SCRIPTS.
Movie Title: 12 YEARS A SLAVE
Lead Character Name: Solomon Northrup.
A question before the assignment. Wouldn’t reading a script, rather than watching the movie, be a better source for what would attract an actor since that would be what he first saw?
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
As a role, the character escapes a seemingly inescapable situation (although mostly through luck) as suggested more by the title than script, since he absolutely needed the help of another.
He is the center of almost every scene. Even when he is not center, the scene revolves around him. such as where he is being helped by “good” owner, free worker, and punishment of others.
As a Black, the role was personally and culturally significant for him.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Lives two different roles; free and slave, requiring two different behaviors.
Subservient role as a slave requires being the main character in the movie but not dominant in the action.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
When he talks Epp out of killing him.
Playing the violin.
Being hung, although this doesn’t require a virtuoso performance.
Whipping Patsey.
When he is removed from the plantation.
Engineering the water transport of logs.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Solomon, in the movie, appears first, in a quick scene, as a slave then as a free well-respected middle class family man in a slavery-free city. This immediately sets up the conflict and contrast for the audience. It was a confusing opening, I thought. I would have plotted chronologically.
(I read two unsequenced scripts with very different openings. Both started with Solomon as free. Jasper, the slave in the store had extensive dialogue with Solomon about escaping that was cut. The problem with watching the movie or reading the shooting script is that a writer doesn’t know what script was first sold or got attention.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
The characters emotionally range was limited because for most of the movie his emotions were limited by his being a slave. Despite this he managed to convey happiness, contentment, fear, hatred, patience, anger, sympathy, compassion, despair, mostly from facial expression in the context of the scene. A lot was left to the audience to fill in intention.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Almost all of the subtext of the Lead was played straight, against the backdrop of the knowledge that he was not a slave and his hoping to be freed. Many of the other actors had clear subtext, especially Epp’s wife.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His family relationships at the beginning and end represented the best acting and emotion.
His relationship with Patsye was interesting because he was close to her but had to whip her and refuse to kill her.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He had to keep probing for ways to escape knowing that if anyone suspected he would be punished or killed.
While a slave he also had to keep his ethics alive and protect others around him.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
The contrast between living in freedom and slavery.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
INT. NORTHUP HOUSE/BEDROOM – MORNING
They all wait a moment, then Solomon enters the foyer. He stands, and looks admiringly at his family. ADMIRINGLY stressed. It isn't that he doesn't have love for them, he does as well. But in the moment, he truly admires his greatest accomplishment: a family that is healthy and well and provided for. He goes to his children, and hands each a coin.
He moves, then, to Anne. Gives her a kiss on the cheek. The children giggle at the sight.-
This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by David Mailman.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by David Mailman.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by
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