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Day 1 Assignments
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WIM2 – Actor Attractors for The Dark Knight
My Vision: I intend to perfect my skills to become a successful screenwriter, scripting acclaimed and profitable films, recognized by my peers, and living an adventurous life.
What I learned during this assignment:
Not only do I need to develop unique voices for each character for them to standout, but their voices/personas must contrast with each other to create the greater conflict and drive the story.
Movie Title: The Dark Knight
Lead Character Name: Batman
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
To play the iconic hero of one of the most popular comic books in history.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s torn between wanting a normal life and his commitment to being Gotham’s hero.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie
Jumping from one skyscraper and crashing into the office penthouse of another to capture the Mob’s banker and then being airlifted out by plane; promoting Harvey Dent to become the new hero of Gotham only to kill him and assuming responsibility for Harvey’s murders; capturing the Joker following a chase sequence through Gotham; interrogating the Joker only to surrender to emotion and rage when he learns the Joker has kidnapped Rachel and Harvey; fighting off the police SWAT teams and the Joker to save hostages.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
The introduction action sequences capturing the villain from the original film.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
From pure good to embracing rage and violence; from love to sorrow and mourning; deciding to surrender and reveal himself as Batman.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Portraying the flamboyant playboy billionaire in contrast to his heroic alter ego.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His relationship with the Joker. Batman’s pure good versus the Joker’s pure chaos and evil. The Joker is bent on breaking Batman, revealing his dark side.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Batman’s persona is direct and to the point, leaving no room for ambiguity, allowing action to define his character. Bruce Wayne’s public image is flippant and sarcastic and flamboyant, while in private, his vulnerability is reveals.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
His belief in justice and ability to find the good in people while surrounded by evil and corruption.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The final scene, Batman confronts Harvey Dent after the Joker has broken Harvey to become “two-face” and commit several murders. Batman kills Harvey to save Commissioner Gordon’s son. But to save Harvey’s reputation as Gotham’s hero, Batman assumes responsibility for Harvey’s murders and becomes the Dark Knight vigilante, wanted by the police.
Lead Character Name: The Joker
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
He’s a sadistic, violent, psychopath who loves chaos.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s not governed by reason and turns Gotham to chaos and anarchy. He manipulates the other characters into believing that they are in control but breaks them to embrace the very evil they fight.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie
Robs a Mob bank and betrays his partners; crashes a Mob meeting and extorts them with their own money; allows himself to be captured by police to kill another prisoner; invades a fundraiser and threatens Bruce Wayne’s guests and girlfriend; burns hundreds of millions of dollars to prove he doesn’t care about money; masterminds a city-wide panic; wires two bombs aboard two ferry boats and dares the people to blow each other up.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
The Joker is introduced by his partners while robbing a Mob bank. They define the Joker as the mastermind, including his eccentricities, building his character. When he finally pulls off his mask, he reveals the Joker mask underneath, he defines himself as “strange.”
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
From evil humor to insane rage; sarcasm and laughter while being beaten; allowing himself to be captured to masterminding his escape; from greed to burning millions.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Every scheme is designed to create greater chaos and take over the city’s organized crime.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His relationship with Batman. The Joker breaks Batman by killing his best friend, Rachel, and makes him violate his own principles, killing Harvey Dent and taking responsibility for Harvey’s murders to become the Dark Knight.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He uses humor to inflict terror and pain and to manipulate other into do his bidding, while making them believe they’re control.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s not bound to any code or ethos other than total chaos.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The Joker crashes the secret meeting of the Mob, laughing as he enters. He provides a magic trick, the disappearing pencil, by shoving a pencil into a bad guy’s eye. He takes the seat at the head of the table and insults the men at the table, calling them cowards – “did your balls drop off?” He exposes their plans to hide their money as flawed and offers to kill Batman for half of their ill-gotten money. When one mobster has had enough and moves to kill him, the Joker reveals his jacket is boobytrapped with hand grenades and backs out unscathed, leaving his calling card for them to call him when they’re ready to make a deal.
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Lisa Long’s Actor attractors for Ordinary People
My Vision: I will do whatever it takes to be comfortable saying that I am a writer by creating impactful stories with amazing characters in order to sell my scripts.
What I learned from this assignment is character is king. The layers of the character are the moments that actors love to play. Put in more “moments” into a script and the more actors will what to be in it.
Movie Title: Ordinary People
Lead Character Name: Conrad Jarrett
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
The character of Conrad is a tour de force encompassing the entire film. The layers of the character allow an actor to play deep subtext that is behind each word. Conrad is a character that looks uncomfortable in his own skin and that is a challenge to an actor to play and convey to the audience.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Conrad attempted suicide after the death of his brother which he feels he was responsible for not saving. He has a well of emotions just below the surface. As the movie unfolds, we see deeper into the emotions and the reasons for his troubles…especially with his mother who seems to have loved his brother more.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He gets up the nerve to ask Jeannine out and forms a friendship. He goes into therapy to attempt to figure out why he’s so messed up. This shows that he wants to get better. He confronts his mother. He reconciles with his father.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Conrad is singing loudly in the school choir as though he is trying to prove to everyone that he is okay. He clearly has sadness behind his eyes. Cut to him in bed sitting up with a startle in a cold sweat. These short clips without words mirror the ups and downs of the movie…singing one minute, in a cold sweat the next.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Conrad has a big character arc that an actor can play. He starts with trying to take small steps back into life after attempting suicide. He meets the coldness of his mother at home where he tries to engage with her, but she gives him nothing. He must figure out how to navigate her lack of affection. Conrad explores his issues in therapy and tries to control his emotions. We see Conrad feeling better around Jeannine…an up moment. Then we see him feeling horrible…a down moment. Throughout the movie there are ups and downs for the character.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
There is subtext beneath every conversation throughout the entire movie. The many elephants in each room. Conrad has come home from the psychiatric hospital and is trying to act like nothing happened when he knows that everyone else knows. He avoids discussing what he’s been through, but it’s still raw. He feels his mother hates him.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
All the relationships between Conrad and the other characters are interesting, but the most interesting has to be with his mother, Beth. They argue. Beth seems to not like Conrad very much. She doesn’t hide the fact that she loved Conrad’s brother Bucky more. When he hugs her, she doesn’t hug him back.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Conrad often has trouble spitting out what he really wants to say. He is nervous in most moments.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Conrad is very sympathetic from the start to the audience. Teenagers have enough of a hard time without the stigma of attempted suicide and a dead brother. Conrad has a glimmer of hopefulness in his character despite his recent actions. We want him to come out the other end of his troubles. He has the realization that his mother is who she is, and he can’t change her.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Conrad learns that his friend Karen committed suicide and died. He spirals out of control in his therapist’s office. Conrad screams and yells and cries in this scene…finally letting out his frustration and pain. He has a breakthrough when it is realized that he blames himself for the death of his brother, Bucky. This scene is the emotional climax and would be attractive for any actor to play.
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<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Subject line: Monica’s Actor Attractors for THE GRAY MAN
Vision: I will continue to learn everything I can through all different media to apply what I learn to become the best screenwriter I can be. To be successful in getting my movies made and to win awards in the process.
What I learned doing this assignment is that characters need to be unique to your story and what The Gray Man taught me is how not to do that. It is a movie of clichés – Bourne, John Wick, Bond, Die Hard. And this is from the Russo brothers!
<b style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Criteria:
A. In your genre: THE GRAY MAN – action/thriller
B. Has big actors: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Billy Bob Thornton, Regé-Jean Page
C. Is a well-known movie (but not a Marvel or DC movie): Check. Just released on Netflix.
3. For each lead character, list out the 9 Actor Attractors as I did with 3:10 TO YUMA. Use the Actor Attractor questions below.
Movie Title: THE GRAY MAN
Lead Character Name: SIERRA SIX (Ryan Gosling)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Gets to be a hero/anti-hero. Fights the bad guys in the CIA. Travels the world. Does some good.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s the best CIA asset who has a moral conscience – he doesn’t kill kids, he protects them, his brother and Claire.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He improvises in situations to stay alive, eg. Getting out of a subterranean trap.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Part of an op but discovers the target is a fellow operative who’s discovered corruption in the CIA and that’s why his time is up. But he gives Six a USB that has all the evidence.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Unemotional except where the young girl is concerned but even then he’s stoic.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He’s a good guy with a good heart masked by being an excellent CIA asset.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His handler and Claire the young girl. And Dani near the end when she comes over to his side.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Through the other characters, flashbacks show us how he got to be the character he is – abusive father who was taking it too far with his brother so he killed him.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
CIA asset who improvises, always one step ahead of the CIA and he has a heart and soul.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Scene where he ends up babysitting Claire who likes to play “Silver Bird” on her turntable. Obviously, doesn’t know what to do with a pre-teen kid. He sends her to bed just in time to stop an assassin. She ends up having a heart attack and he takes her to the hospital to have her pacemaker fixed.
Movie Title: THE GRAY MAN
Lead Character Name: LLOYD HANSEN (Chris Evans)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Antagonist. A sociopathic asset who was fired from the CIA and is in private “business” now.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s very good at his job but he’d kill a puppy if it got in his way.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He’s a torture expert. Threatens others if he can’t get his own way. Kills informants once their usefulness is over.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Bad CIA guy Carmichael calls in Lloyd when he discovers Six has the USB from a dead asset and it will incriminate Carmichael.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Crazy. Crazy and more crazy. And he seems so happy about it!
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Lloyd is pretty one dimensional. He takes crazy to an art form.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With himself. No one can stand him. Nobody trusts him. He only trusts himself.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Through killing. He has no qualms about killing police, innocent by-standers. He has an instinct for survival and at one point when Fitzroy is going to sacrifice himself with a grenade, Lloyd throws his partner in front of him to survive.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Ex-CIA asset who was too crazy even for the CIA. A hot head who continues to be bested by Six making Lloyd do crazier and crazier things.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The town square in Prague after Cahill has blown herself and several assets to pieces, Lloyd escapes to hunt Six who is running for his life into the square. The police arrest Six but Lloyd has sent other assets into the square who just start shooting – innocent bystanders, police, even SWAT when they show up. He will kill anyone and everyone. And he still doesn’t kill Six who is trying to save people.
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I found your critique of Gray Man interesting. I hadn’t considered the “sameness” as in other action films. You do have a point. From my pov, I think a certain “sameness” is what makes action movies successful. It is the twists and turns that make them unique and the way the character responds. I quite like Gray Man. The Evans character was a bit of a cliche. I agree with you. Gosling’s character was a surprise to me…not the character itself but how Ryan chose to portray him. My sister knows the aunt of the young girl, Julia Butter. They are speech pathologists together. We do keep up to date with her career. She is soaring right now. She is very sweet young girl in person. I liked her character. I liked the interaction between she and Ryan. They played well off each other. At any rate, I just wanted to say I liked your assessment. It gave me something to consider about action films.
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Thank you for that Mary. I appreciate it. Gosling and the young girl do have chemistry and I liked that part of the movie. It spoke to his humanity — which he hadn’t lost even though he’s a trained killer!
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Lynn Vincentnathan’s Actor attractors for THE PROPOSAL
VISION: I am determined to become a great screenwriter capable of getting my screenplays in various genres produced into movies that inspire vast audiences to mitigate climate change.
I LEARNED just how completely these characters of Margaret and Andrew, as well as Gammy (grandma) are very attractive to actors from their emotional range to their humorous antics, great subtext, and especially Margaret’s emotional journey and change. Reading the script and seeing the changes in the movie I also learned that a good script can be made much better in production.
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What would attract the actors to be in THE PROPOSAL
Criteria:
A. In your genre: Rom Com
B. Has big actors: Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds, also Betty White and Craig Nelson
C. Is a well known movie (but not a Marvel or DC movie).
For each lead character, list out the 9 Actor Attractors as I did with 3:10 TO YUMA. Use the Actor Attractor questions:
MARGARET TATE (Sandra)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Tough AND sensitive, great comedienne. Tough businesswoman instilling fear in underlings, then becoming a fish out of water in Alaska, becoming an underling to her underling Andrew, and put through the ringer and test, coming to love Andrew’s whacky, loving family, until it breaks into her inner wound of being orphaned and changes her until she realizes she loves Andrew and his family and can’t go through with the sham.
2. What makes this character the most interesting character in the movie?
Willing to use Andrew & marry him to stay in the U.S., but seems uninterested in marriage or family… until later. Her fish out of water antics in Alaska trying to fool his family and trying to fit in are really funny. Great dialogue.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Whips through the office instilling fear, fires a loafer. Tries to get along with Andrew’s family, doing all sorts of out-of-character things, even doing a Native American ceremony with Grandma morphing it into raunchy disco dance. Falls in the water, rescued by Andrew. Fakes love for Andrew as she feelings are gradually awakened over the course of the movie.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Running on a treadmill, reading AND watching video scene, sees in mirror she’s not getting any younger (she’s attractive but puts everyone off), rushes to work doing business on cell. No niceties to employees, all back away and get to work at sight of her, fires a loafer. Then she finds out she will be deported and out of her job and she has to grovel and fake love for Andrew.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Tough, efficient; afraid of the INS guy and being deported; going along with Andrew’s family to a humorous extreme, letting loose in a raunchy disco dance with Gammy, worried she’ll hurt them; vulnerable due to losing her parents, in love & hurt by the breakup.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Concealing her real reason for marriage to the INS guy AND Andrew’s family. Hiding/suppressing her emotional wound about losing her parents and need for family (even from herself), which bursts out later. Covering her wound under a veneer of emotionlessness. We understand how she got to be mean, emotionless and insensitive.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With Andrew as she actually does fall in love with him and his family. With Andrew’s various family members, especially Grandma as she works to fool them into thinking the marriage is for real.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Though she’s tough and business-minded her voice is sort of low-key and soft, and she’s good a fooling his family and trying to fit in, but later admits her inner wound and genuine love for his family and… Andrew. The ice-dam melts and emotions flood out.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Her desire to keep her position and stay in the US, even if it means faking a marriage and putting up with all sort of things against her grain, plus her growing desire not to hurt Andrew or his family.
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ANDREW PAXTON (Ryan)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Ambitious career guy and writer willing to leave a loving family, being a wealthy businessman, the woman he loves, AND get into a sham marriage to prevent losing his career and advancing it, but has a loving family and soft side.
Romantic guy, good comedian. Aspiring assistant editor and writer wanting to get ahead and his manuscript published is willing to put up with overbearing Margaret as her assistant to advance and to escape his overbearing father and father’s business. Then he uses her predicament to bribe her into promoting him and in role reversal takes the upper hand with her.
2. What makes this character the SECOND most interesting character in the movie?
He’s willing to go along with Margaret to prevent losing his job and to advance his publishing career to the extent of marrying her AND his role switches from sycophantic underling to lording it over her.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He puts on a fake show of being Margaret’s fiancé and makes her go on her knees and propose. Takes over as superior, being somewhat abusive (carry her own luggage, etc) as a payback for her meanness. Forced to kiss her, but that awakens his feelings for her. In a nude scene he bumps into her and they tumble and freak out. Saves her from drowning in icy water and has to hold, rub, and cuddle her, drawing him into loving her. Great comedic actions and dialogue.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Wakes up, sees the clock, mouths “sh—.” Runs to work. The coffee barista who has his 2 coffees ready is into him (he’s attractive). He brings coffee to Margaret and has everything lined up. Messages all underlings “the witch is on her broom” when she leaves her office to confront someone.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
From gravelling, efficient sycophant to lording it over Margaret, in conflict with his father, party guests make them kiss & his face shows it affected him, falling in love with the new/changing Margaret.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Obviously dislikes Margaret (witch comment), but does all for her AND to gets himself ahead and promoted. Fakes his love for Margaret and about the fake upcoming marriage to his family and the INS man. Begins to get attracted to Margaret, but covers that up from her and at first from himself.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With Margaret. She’s using him, but he’s also using her. They have to fake their love… until they actually fall in love.
Conflict with overbearing father (sort of similar to that of overbearing Margaret), shunning family wealth and businesses.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He can say some rough things under his breath and in the witch message, but then has fun tormenting Margaret at his parents’ home. Enjoys rattling off things he knows about Margaret for the INS from being her attentive, efficient underling, knowing she knows nada about him and has to struggle learning about him.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Though his family is rich and he could have a great, wealthy (and wholesome) small town life taking over his father’s business, he has a different dream and ambition — to be a published writer and big NY editor. But down deep he’s a family guy and the perfect match for Margaret’s inner need for family and her similar interests in the publishing world.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by Lynn Vincentnathan.
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Well done. The Proposal is one of my favorite movies. I have watched it so many times, it’s ridiculous…but I think this speaks to just how wonderful it is…how much fun it is to watch. anything with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds is terrific. They have amazing range as actors. Ryan has become quite the action star. Your assessment was fun to read.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by
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Mary Lynn Mabray – WIM2-Module 3 Lesson 1 – Actor Attractors
Vision: In Demand High Concept Writer
What I Learned: I learned to think beyond the concept to the heart of the movie which is the characters. I learned what makes actors accept roles, what attracts them to a part. I had never really thought about these factors before.
Sample Movie: Something’s Got To Give – Rom-Com Diane Keaton, Jack Nickolson, Keau Reeves
Actor Attractors
1. Lead character – Diane Keaton – this role speaks to at least 40% of the women in America. It illustrates a talented and successful woman standing on her own two feet. She is a playwrite. She is strong yet unknowingly vulnerable. She thinks needing a man, being sexual … that part of her life ended with her divorce. She has accepted that she will be alone the rest of her life which gives her more time for writing. This role is also shared with sexy Keau Reeves and legendary playboy, Jack Nickolson. What’s not to like working with those two men.
2. Keaton’s character continually surprises herself, emotionally. It is a very funny but emotional role.
3. She reluctantly pursues Nickolson, flirts with him. There is an obvious attraction. When that attraction is clear to her, she wholeheartedly pursues him and falls in love with him very quickly only to have her heart broken when he walks away days later. The character of Keau Reeves pursues Erica. He knows her work, finds her funny and brilliant and wants her. At first she is very reluctant. He’s twenty years younger. Audrey Hepburn was 20 years older than her husband. It is a delightful and fun May December romance. Personally, I would have stayed with Keau’s character. Nickolson’s character, though redeemed by taking a close look at his life and transgressions, would not be trustworthy in my book. He walked away once, He will likely do it again. Though the writer, Nancy Meyer ends the movie, happily ever after…in real life, that doesn’t always happen.
4) She is introduced by accusing the Nickolson character, Harry…as a burglar and calls the police. Constant conflict. There is a chance to show that side of her acting ability and then also a more lovable side. Again, emotional chops which continue throughout the movie.
5) Emotional range…Diane Keaton has the acting skills to go from one to ten in a heartbeat. Nancy Meyer writes Erica to be fiery, flirty and vulnerable all at the same time. There is tremendous subtext in her character.
6) The character Erica is all about subtext. There are few scenes that are straightforward…that do not have subtext. Her character has a lot of hope but it is hidden hope because she believes that part of her life…being happy with a man, is over…but she still hopes she is wrong.
7) Erica’s relationship with Harry is one of comfort. Comfort of age group and the things that happen as one ages. They laugh a lot about those happenings which are good and bad. She is comfortable with Harry’s flirty and sexy ways and throws it right back to him in spades. She is honest about her deep feelings for and with Harry, and then when he leaves her both emotionally and physically, she feels betrayed by him, so she writes about the relationship and kills him off in the play…it gets a huge laugh. It is revenge of the highest order…there is no gory blood, no police, no prison…only laughter and freedom. She is done with him. Erica’s relationship with Julian is sweet and kind because Julian is sweet and kind. Despite the age difference, they are perfect for each other. He brings out the best in her. I wish she would have stayed with him…but she followed her heart…which was with Harry. It is well done, though and the audience is happy for both characters but heartbroken for Julian.
8. I don’t know that Erica’s voice is unique…it is the story of so many American women. That is why she is so relatable. The audience is immediately drawn into her story because she is authentic.
9) Diane Keaton makes this character special and unique. I don’t think another actress could have played Erica. That part was written for her. We get to see a side of life that most Americans don’t have…a stunning Hampton’s beach house, which belonged to Nancy Meyer and was designed and decorated by her. It is fabulous and expensive. The interiors of the house mirror the emotional interior of the character…beautiful, strong and artsy.
10) There is a beach montage where Erica and Harry are getting to know one another, they flirt, they castigate each other but they are clearly attracted to one another. Harry can’t believe it because he’s only been attracted to younger women and Erica can’t believe she is falling for a cad like Harry. Harry asks Erica why she only picks up white rocks and she tells him because they are beautiful and perfect. He picks up a black rock and hands it to her and tells her it something to remember him by. They rocks are a symbol of their attraction and love throughout. This montage is just nearly perfect. The audience experiences falling in love just like the characters. I loved this scene…it led into the actual act of making love, being vulernable with another human being. Just perfect…this entire segment.
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Module 3, Lesson 1 – Characters that Sell Scripts
Subject: Rob Ingalls’ Actor Attractors for THE UNFORGIVABLE
MY VISION:
To be a Talented writer that delivers quality fast, with the film industry seeking me out.
WIL: Ensure script is actor bait
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THE UNFORGIVABLE
Lead Character Name: Ruth Slater (played by Sandra Bullock)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Emotionally driven with strong character trait of Ruth.
2. What makes thia character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Despite what others think of her, she knows the truth but has strength to not reveal, to protect her sister.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
She has one goal: find her sister and let her know she exists. All else doesn’t matter.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Standing up for her family (sister), a sheriff is killed. Ruth is protective of her sister to the point that
she takes the fall and is sent to prison
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Protective sister to 20 years as convict to freedom but hated by others to struggling to find her sister who she protected.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Despite 20 years in prison and now released but in a new prison, despite being beaten, she gets back up again and again.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Despite her background, there are people willing to help, despite not knowing fully her story.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Despite the world hating her, she continues to stand strong while still protecting her sister.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Strong moral convictions.
!0. Over the course of the film, we learn more about Ruth and the truth. At first we think she killed the sheriff,
since she had said she would on phone. We have mixed feelings of Ruth: protective of sister but a man dies doing his job.
As we learn more, we suspect all is not what it seems. Eventually we learn the little sister pulled the trigger and
killed the sheriff and Ruth protected her sister and took the fall for her.
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.Ron’s Actor attractors for Casablanca
Vision: I want the success and recognition of being an in demand, A-list screenwriter who writes successful films that are financially profitable, award winning and of enduring quality
, “What I learned from doing this assignment is that watching a movie with this lesson in mind, I now have a better understanding of what it takes will take to attract top tier actors to my movie
Movie Title: Casablanca
Lead Character Name:Rick Blaine
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Complicated character Tough exterior, sensitive inside
2. What makes this
character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? Looks to be self
centered, selfish until Ingrid Bergman’s character shows up.3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Although Rick maintains his aloofness from the war, we learn he ran guns to Ethiopia against Mussolini and fought on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, doesn’t sell letters of transit to Laslo, allows house band to play Marseillaise, refuses to give letters of transit to Llisa, agrees to help Llisa, lets her believe he will stay with her when Laslo leaves, tricks Captain Renault, fools Llisa, shoots Strasser, allows Laszlo to escape.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? Takes letter of transit from Peter Lorre’s character putting him in danger with German occupation force
5. What is this character’s emotional range? Cold and calculating to emotionally involved
6. What subtext can the actor play? His love and conflicting emotions toward Llisa and Laszlo
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? With corrupt Captain Renault, patriot Laszlo, former lover Llisa
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? His words portray as detached, cold individual, but his actions contradict his words
9. What makes this character special and unique? Really complex. As movie progresses we learn more and more about Rick, making him increasingly sympathetic
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the
Actor Attractor model.)Powerful conclusion. Surprise ending. When Renault tries to arrest Laszlo as arranged, Rick forces him at gunpoint to assist in their escape. At the last moment, Rick makes Ilsa board the plane to Lisbon with Laszlo, telling her that she would regret it if she stayed.
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Movie Title: The Black Phone
Lead Character Name: Finney
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
The character is very clever, even though you wouldn’t know it from the beginning of the film. He starts of quiet and shy and gets bullied at school, but never really reacts. By the end of the movie he is confident in his abilities and is able to remain calm in the face of danger.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s constantly being bullied at school, but manages to keep his cool after being kidnapped and with the help of the dead boys is able to outsmart The Grabber to earn his freedom. Even though he was the weakest of the kidnapped boys, he was the only one who managed to get away.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Trusting the voices of the dead boys and following their directions to ultimately triumph over the antagonist.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He is a little league pitcher who is quiet and is constantly bullied, but he is fiercely protective over his little sister.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He is quiet in the beginning, shows his fear after being kidnapped, but ultimately shows his courage when confronting the kidnapper and his relief when he escapes.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
When he is in the room with The Grabber is acts unafraid even though he is terrified that he will meet the same fate as the other boys.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
His relationship with his sister and with his friend Robin, the boy who was kidnapped right before him.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
In his interactions with his kidnapper. Unlike most kids, he doesn’t react when he’s kidnapped. He is very calm and connected during his interactions and is always asking questions to try and get information from the antagonist.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He continues to fight for his freedom even when all seems lost. He refuses to give up and play the antagonist’s game.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
When The Grabber brings him food he pretends to be asleep. When The Grabber calls him out and asks for his name he at first refuses to give it. Then he lies about his name, and when he is called out on the lie, he remains calm in the face of The Grabber’s anger.
Lead Character Name: The Grabber
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
The Grabber truly believes that he is not a bad guy. He takes on the role of benevolent father who only hurts the boys he kidnaps when they break the rules and are being what he deems as “bad”.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He is always seen with a mask on and always speaks in a calm voice, even when he is angry. He believes that what he is doing is not wrong, and believes that he is helping these boys learn how to follow the rules.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Intentionally leaving the door unlocked to try and tempt the boys to try and escape only to be waiting at the top of the stairs to beat them with a belt if they try to escape.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He is introduced as a bumbling, friendly, magician before turning around and kidnapping the protagonist.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
From friendly, to calm, to irritated, to angry.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He speaks calmly even though his rage is just under the surface. He pretends that he won’t harm the protagonist even though he does everything in his power to tempt him into playing the “naughty boy” game.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
The relationship with Finney.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He plays the fatherly role to the protagonist and almost mirrors the protagonist’s father in that he is just waiting for him to make a mistake so he can punish him.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The brother discovers Finney in the basement. Before he can help him escape, The Grabber kills his brother then places the blame for his action on Finney. The Grabber is ready to teach Finney a lesson because he believes Finney has finally started playing his game “naughty boy.”
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Module 3 Lesson 1 Actor Attractors
My Vision: To write eight screenplays
that eventually become Hollywood blockbusters (and to get a line or
two in at least one of them).What I learned from this assignment: To
make a lead actor’s character so intriguing they want to sign on.Movie Title: The Poison Rose
Lead Character: John Travolta
1 Why would an actor want to be
known for this role?Travolta’s character was different
from most of his others – he plays a Texan.2 What makes this character the most
interesting character in the movie?He’s a PI sent to his hometown to
investigate a missing person and must change gears as he becomes
embroiled in a different set of circumstances.3 What are the most interesting
actions the Lead takes in the movie?Kills several hitmen in gunfights.
Doesn’t get intimidated by corrupt sheriff.4 How is this character introduced
that could sell it to an actor?His first scene shows him playing with
his pet cat – showing a sensitive side. Seconds later he’s
confronted by a hitman and uses the cat’s cage to bash the hitman in
the face allowing him to escape. It also allows Travolta to try a
Texan accent.5 What is this character’s emotional
range?Even, in control, unemotional.
6 What subtext can the actor play?
Keeps his cool, always being polite
even under high pressure situations as he tries to unravel a
series of corrupt actions.7 What are the most interesting
relationships this character has?His relationship with his
ex-wife – friendly, protective even after not seeing her for 20
years. He remains at ease with his former pals who are now
corrupt enemies.8 How is this character’s
unique voice presented?Used his calm Southern
persona to match wits with those out to kill him.9. What makes this character
special and unique?He actually wasn’t – an
awful performance in an awful movie – but it was interesting seeing
John Travolta – Saturday Night Fever’s Tony Manero – take
on a very different character. -
Andrew Boyd’s WIM2 Actor Attractions for Bridge of Spies
My Vision:
For Hitler’s Choirboys to be such a compelling screenplay that Steven Speilberg and Mel Gibson will battle it out to produce their best WW2 blockbuster since Hacksaw Ridge or Schindler’s List.
What I learned from doing this assignment:
How the role, particularly the opener to the role, must be so powerful and attractive to a star that they are compelled to play the part – so the movie will boost their reputation and they will boost the movie at the box office.
Movie Title: Bridge of Spies
Lead Character Name: Tom Hanks
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
It’s irresistibly Tom Hanks. Decent, likeable, a tie-and-cardigan conservative, caught in an impossible bind. A stand-up guy. Doing the right thing. Defending a Soviet spy at the height of Cold War nuclear menace. Knowing full well that the fear and loathing directed towards the Russkies will now be aimed at him. But ‘everyone deserves a defence. Every person matters’ is the theme of this movie that is later restated. Hanks still manages to spin out some subtle laughs along the way: ‘How did you lose your coat?’ asks his CIA handler. ‘Oh, you know, spy stuff..’ An affable man who should never be underestimated. Who, beneath that folksy charm is always in control.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Can a decent man keep his chops together and keep doing the right thing when everyone – even his own family – are convinced it’s wrong; wrong, damaging and dangerous to everything they hold dear?
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He defends a hated Soviet spy who is guilty as hell. All in the name of justice and Doing the Right Thing. And then he employs his unflappable negotiating skills to trade him for Gary Powers. Oh, and unknown American student.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Smart, suited, calm and reasonable, he is taking control and talking his way out of an impossible situation. With calm conviction he claims the legal and moral high ground, making his case for due process, with an argument that is later restated when it comes to negotiation with the Soviet Union and DDR. This corporate charmer is liked and admired by his colleagues. Until he is invited to step out of his ordinary world in the insurance business to defend a Soviet spy – to defend him. Chosen to represent fairness and the American way. Conservative, decent, decisive – and given a mission impossible that will wreck his reputation. He’ll lose. And everybody will hate him – and his family. And that’s just the first half of the film. Wait till he has to negotiate with the wily Russians for the release of spyplane pilot Gary Powers, without official support or acknowledgement from the US. ‘Powers? He’s the most hated man in America. After Rudolf Abel. And maybe me.’
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Sincerity, warmth, humour, concern, stress, modesty, courage, unflappability, intelligence, and reassurance to others under fear.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Abel asks for paper and cigarettes. And he says please. This confirms to Donovan (Hanks) that he is dealing with a human being. And into Act 2, after Abel is inevitably found guilty, Donovan gives him his paper and his cigarettes: the human connection. When Abel asks him if he is curious about his guilt or otherwise, Donovan chuckles: ‘Not really. I always assumed you were an artist.’ How he talks his way out of the grip of East German thugs, followed by his bemusement at Abel’s overacting Russian ‘family’ reveals an unflappable man who is always quietly in control. ‘I’ll tell you your first problem,’ he informs the official he knows is trying to play him: ‘the names of your countries are too long.’
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Soothing the nerves of his long-suffering wife and terrified son, connecting with the Soviet spy as one man to another, then standing up to the CIA spook who wants him to snitch on his client: ‘We need to know – don’t go boy scout on me.’ He puts CIA Charlie down with the Constitution: ‘What makes us both Americans is the rulebook. So… don’t nod at me like that, you son of a bitch.’ And having chewed him up, he tosses a peanut into his mouth and strides off. Donovan’s relationship with the bigoted judge also illuminates the role, as does his wry dependence on that CIA shapeshifter, his opponent turned guardian, and the way he quickly but quietly dispenses with the fiction of Abel’s wife and daughter with Vogel, the nervous ‘lawyer’ for the DDR.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
The insurance man tries to persuade the judge to keep Abel alive – as an insurance policy in America’s back pocket, to trade for an American spy should the day arise. As he later informs the wily Russian official who has taken him for a soft-minded fool: ‘You never know, Abel might want to see the sky again – and decide to trade Russian secrets for small American favours… we have to get off this merry-go-round, sir. The next mistake our countries make could be the last one.’ Warm, reasonable, yet quietly tough.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He is a warm family man, who is willing to be an outcast to his people, his colleagues and even his family out of fairness and human decency.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Hung out to dry in the hallway of the DDR administrative building, Donovan buttonholes a young clerk who speaks English. He combines his folksy charm and quiet forcefulness to get him to sit down and give his boss this message. ‘There is no deal for Abel unless we get Powers and Pryor. D’you understand?… it will not happen unless we get two men. Those two men. Two. Two. If there is no deal, your boss must tell the Soviets. He has to tell the Soviets that they are not getting Rudolf Abel. Oh, and tell him this: so far Abel has been a good soldier, but he thinks he’s going home (cough). If we have to tell him that he’s not going home, that the Soviets don’t even want him, that he’s never going home, well, I imagine his behaviour might change. And who will be held responsible for that? Heh. That’s a long message – did you get it all? You’re a good man.’
Other Lead’s Name: Mark Rylance
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
This finely nuanced role requires a master of subtlety and understatement to portray this principled spy and man of quiet conviction, this softly spoken Soviet patriot. It won Rylance the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Able is an anti-Bond, and way cooler than Bond. Middle aged, shabby, unprepossessing and understated – yet with all the concealed passion, commitment and dedication required of a true enemy of the state.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
He is endlessly unruffled in the face of his fate. He retains his humanity and wry humour and even acts as a mentor to Donovan: ‘Jim, you should be careful. Careful.’
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Cool as a cucumber, this arch spy is dispassionately painting his own self-portrait. The sideways glance of the face on the canvas sums him up. Without a word, without expression, he answers the phone. His next assignment. He steps out, into the Brooklyn of the 1950s. But he is being tailed. And when the FBI nail him, he emerges from his bathroom in his vest and underpants, takes that sideways glance at their guns and calmly asks if he can fetch his false teeth. And as they tear his room apart, he slips beneath the radar to take control and conceal the evidence.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Coolness, sincerity, wry humour, unflappability, mastery of fear. ‘I’m not afraid to die, Mr Donovan. Although… it wouldn’t be my first choice.’
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Self-control. Even in the face of fear. Donovan: ‘You don’t seem alarmed.’ Abel: ‘Would it help?’ Then a moment later vulnerability, when he asks for cigarettes – ‘Please?’ And when informed the Russians have disowned him: ‘Well, the boss isn’t always right. But he’s always the boss.’ Always wry. Always calm. Then asked again: ‘Do you never worry?’ ‘Would it help?’ Later he tells Donovan his daughter plays the harp in a Moscow orchestra: a shared humanity. He tells the story of when his family home was overrun by partisans and he witnessed a terrible beating of an unremarkable looking man. This man withstood everything they could throw against him and kept rising to his feet, so the partisans let him live: ‘Standing man.’ Clearly, Abel’s inspiration, as he, like Donovan, is a stand-up guy. And all of that is in the subtext.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
With Donovan. They come to respect one another’s skill, intelligence and humanity.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
With wry, self-effacing humour. See above. ‘What do you think will happen when you get home?’ ‘I think… I’ll have a vodka.’ ‘Yeah, but Rudolf, is there not a possibility…’ ‘That my people are going to shoot me?’ ‘Yes. You’re not worried?’ ‘Would it help?’
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Abel is a spy like no other. Not sinister, not glamorous, not arrogant. A shuffling, shabby, quiet man of conviction, played to perfection by Mark Rylance.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
See the introductory scene above.
Thank you!
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Amy’s Actor attractors for Home Again
Vision: I want to become known as an expert in the family-friendly genre and make a full-time living as a screenwriter.
What I learned from doing this assignment is the nitty-gritty of what it takes to make a character attractive to an actor.
Movie Title: Home Again
Lead Character Name: Alice Kinney
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
I think most actresses want to play a character like this one who is strong and independent, yet vulnerable. This character goes through something hard (separation from her husband and moving cross-country with her two girls) and learns how to stand on her own and comes out stronger.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
She is the character in the movie with the most layers. She’s strong and independent, yet easily hurt. She ‘s a responsible mother and a party girl. Part of what makes her interesting is the decisions she makes and how she deals with her life.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
She moves cross-country with her two girls and starts a new life. She reluctantly lets 3 young guys move into her guest house and then gets involved with one of them. She tells off her former boss when she sees her in a restaurant. When her life gets out of control, she quickly sorts it all out.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
She is in the bathroom having a meltdown when her two girls knock on the door to wish her happy birthday.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
From having a meltdown in her bathroom to happy and totally living it up while out with her friends
6. What subtext can the actor play?
She’s a responsible mother who like to party and gets involved with a much younger man.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
She has two interesting relationships. The first is with Harry her love interested who is considerably younger than she is. She also has an interesting relationship with her estranged husband. She still loves him, but she realizes they’re not right for each other anymore. They share a bond because of their two girls.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
I love one line where she says, “I have a problem with the lead singer of your band.” She’s actually talking about the director in the moviemaking trio of guys that are living in her guest house and who she’s gotten involved with and who has broken her heart. She is confiding in one of the other guys in this conversation.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
She is the daughter of a famous director living in the L.A. house that he left to her. She agrees to let three young guys live in her guest house. What makes her special is that she loves the people in her life deeply and that always comes through in the end, despite her flaws and sometimes making bad decisions.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
On her date with a strange guy, she drinks too much and when she notices her former boss sitting at another table, she walks over to tell her off and totally embarrasses herself. The next shot is of her laying face down on a bench outside of the restaurant. Her date shakes his head in exasperation and gets into his car. She calls George, on the young filmmakers living in her guest house. He comes to pick her up. The have a heart-to-heart where he asks her what’s going on. She confides in him that Harry broke her heart and then falls asleep on his shoulder.
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MODULE THREE LESSON ONE
FRAN’S ACTOR ATTRACTORS FOR WINTER’S LOST LOVE
MY VISION: I want to write great movies. Movies that are magical, movies that move people and tell the truth. I want to write movies that stars will want to be in.
WHAT I LEARNED: For my work make it character driven, make it irresistible and make them WANT it! Take the lesson from Ben Stiller. He’s doing exactly what he wants. Movies based on real life stories. He’s working with Rachel Maddow. He’s really become a powerhouse director, producer and that’s a great place to be!
1. I chose The Secret Life of Walter Mitty because it’s about a man who works as a writer, photo editor for Life Magazine that’s going online, no longer a paper magazine. He loses his job to the down-sizing and mean takeover boss. And he’s looking for love, a relationship with Kristin Wiig’s character, Cheryl. He daydreams being an aggressive, assertive hunk of a man, but in real life he’s a wimp.
I LOVE this movie. I LOVE what Ben Stiller does. What he’s currently working on. No more comedy for him. I believe this movie was a major turning point in his career. I really flipped out when I saw Sean Penn in his part as the elusive photographer, Sean, Walter chases after for a negative of a picture he needs for the final issue. It was such a totally different side of Sean we’ve seen with his earlier movies.
2. GENRE: DRAMA
3. TITLE: THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
4. BIG ACTORS: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Shirley MacLane, Kathryn Hahn, Jon Daly, Patton Oswalt
5. It’s a well-known short story by James Thurber and a remake of a movie starring Danny Kaye. I love that movie, too.
Notoriety: A major departure from Ben’s earlier movies. Walter Mitty is also a staple in American literature.
Walter Mitty: Has always captured the imagination of audiences and readers since the short story first appeared. (I remember reading it in school.)
Interesting Actions: His daydreams show him in all sort of “heroic” maneuvers. And then when he goes in search of Sean, his photographer friend. He winds up in the most unique places and situations in any film. He winds up in Iceland and in the Himalaya Mountains hunting/photographing a rare snow cat. This is the scene that makes it all for Sean Penn.
Outstanding Introduction: The movie starts off with showing Walter in a financial question. He’s on an online dating service that’s not working out too well for him, too. The woman he’s interested in, Cheryl, a co-worker, he can’t get up the nerve to text her and ask her out. His mom is moving and it’s draining on him. And then he finds out he’s losing his job.
Range of emotions: Comes with each of his daydreams. He’s a loser, wimp in his daily life, but in his daydreams he’s a hero that manages to save the day. And then his daydreaming starts to take on reality in his search for the photographer. He takes on his mean boss and wins. And gets the girl. There’s also a scene where he’s “Benjamin Button.”
Subtext: plays out with Kristin Wiig’s character Cheryl. He daydreams he wins her heart. But in real life he “avoids” telling her how he feels about her at every turn. He can’t bring himself to asking her out.
Relationships: He has a great relationship with his lab assistant and with his tech support guy at the online dating service. He’s sympathetic with his co-workers. He’s finally striking up a relationship with Cheryl and her son in his search for Sean. But he still can’t seem to get past to asking her out and his mean boss.
Unique Voice: Walter seems to know a whole lot about a lot of things. And he has a past that’s unique. His relationship with his father. And in his budding relationship with Cheryl. She’s the one who tells him how to go about solving the clues to finding Sean, his photographer friend. Which he follows—with sometimes very interesting results.
Truly Special: We all feel like Walter Mitty at times in our lives. We all experience what Walter experiences. Hopes, dreams, wishes. The letdowns. Wants a perfect life. Can he get it?
I looked up why Ben was so drawn to this character and to this script. It was an obviously clear answer for him:
It’s a question that Stiller gets often. “Yeah, of course,” Stiller told Roach, who directed the “Meet the Parents” films. “I think that’s what made it relatable.”
It’s not that Stiller, who’s also a producer on the picture, necessarily identifies with the character, but he understands the draw. Mitty wants to be “a better version of himself,” Stiller said later. “A different version of himself.”
At 47, Stiller is searching for his own Holy Grail: to be taken more seriously as a director. He envisions a future in which he acts less and directs more. “I love acting, but what I love is the freedom you have as a director to tell all different kinds of stories,” Stiller says, “where as an actor, to a certain extent you’re just limited to who you are and what you get cast in. The process is less vulnerable when you’re directing, because you’re supposedly in control.”
Walter Mitty was this perfect character for him to play and express these exact feelings. The feelings I want to portray in my Meredith as she deals with a philandering husband and a husband who can’t support her work and puts her down every chance he can get.
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Dave Holloway’s Actor Attractors for “The Last, Best Hope”
My vision: I would like to be a successful writer in Hollywood, with a number of successful movies to my credit that put forward a core belief about environmental, political, or personal development.
What I learned doing this assignment is that the Actor Attractors can lead to creating new and interesting dimensions for the characters.
Movie Title: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Lead Character Name: Randall P. McMurphy
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
The role gave Jack Nicholson a chance to show a broad range of emotions as he is transformed from a charismatic, adventurous, rebel to a mere shell of a human being after being subjected to multiple rounds of shock therapy.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s interesting because of his wild, life-loving nature and the way he inevitably comes into conflict with, and tries to overcome the repressive, soul-destroying mechanisms of the mental hospital in which he’s incarcerated.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
One is the boating expedition he leads the other asylum inmates on, which is a comical misadventure. Another is the revolt he leads against the asylum’s employee, Nurse Ratched, which ends with him trying to strangle her. Another is the basketball game the patients play against the guards, in which he encourages an enormous Native American patient to utilize his height effectively in the game.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He’s introduced during a talk he has with the asylum’s top officer, who recites some of the crimes McMurphy has been convicted of. Right away, he’s seen as a rebel and a tough, vibrant, irrepressible individual who is also smart enough to be aware of everything going on around him – an array of qualities that would be attractive to many actors.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He ranges from high-spirited, charismatic rebel with great zest for life, to an enraged asylum inmate who tries to kill Nurse Ratched for her actions that caused the suicide of another inmate, to finally, an empty, mentally destroyed wreck without emotional affect.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He can play the natural rebelliousness of his character when it comes into contact with the asylum that enforces conformity and obedience. He can also play his human quality of compassion for another inmate, known as “Chief”, as he tries to help him survive the asylum.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
The most interesting relationship he has is with Nurse Ratched, because they are two diametrically opposed forces that inevitably come into conflict. Though there is evidence of some attraction between the two in the scene where he tries to strangle her.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
His voice is presented in the unique way he looks at things, in the observations he makes, in the strong life-force that comes through in some of his statements, in his profanity, and in the wildness of his dialogue, which gives a sense of his colorful, combative nature.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s unique in that he is naturally rebellious and seemingly undefeatable, will take on any opponent, has a strong love of life, and has to be reduced to a shell before he can be overcome.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
There is a brief scene where McMurphy is led off to undergo shock treatments. He has already survived one round of them intact, and as he’s being led away, he looks as the “Chief” and says, “You and me, Chief, you and me”, pledging a solidarity between them that can withstand the asylum’s attempts to control them.
Movie Title: The Last, Best Hope
Lead Character Name: Nigel Williamson
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Nigel is transformed from a rather bookish, young man who shies away from conflict to a man who survives being shot and wounded and risks his life repeatedly in his attempt to free his wife from prison.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
The fact that he is on a tremendous adventure that a character like himself would never be inclined to make. Yet he’s drawn into it by necessity, and he finds reserves of courage and tenacity that are surprising even to himself.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
When he’s shot during a gun battle and eschews having his wound treated by a doctor in order to save time in his trip across the continent; and when he devises a clever plan to free his wife from prison and engages in a fight with the prison’s warden.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He is introduced in court, arguing to a jury to preserve a family of a mother and two children together. He is seen as naturally intelligent, eloquent and passionate.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He transforms from a man with no experience of physical conflict to a character who risks his life. During the course of the screenplay, he displays enormous love for his wife, bitterness at her unjust imprisonment, rage against the military state where she’s imprisoned, devotion to the friend, Roger, who accompanies him on the journey, and a willingness to risk everything to save her.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
He can play the subtext of enormous love for his wife that motivates him to go far beyond the comfort zone he’s known all his life; also love for the male friend to volunteers to accompany him, and a willingness to risk everything.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
It is the relationship with Roger, who travels across the North American continent with him. Though they are dissimilar in some ways, they have a genuine bond that is strengthened by the adventure, and each is dependent on the strengths of the other to survive at different times in the story.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
He is English, so he speaks with an English intonation and phrasing, and his natural intelligence and eloquence give his voice a unique quality.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
It is the fact that he confronts dangers and challenges during the story that we would tend to believe would overcome him, given his sheltered background and dislike for physical conflict, and he ultimately proves equal to those challenges, finding previously unknown courage within himself.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
Near the end of the story, the character risks his life in a daring attempt to free his wife from a military prison, overcomes the prison warden in a fight and is overjoyed when he frees his wife.
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David’s Actor attractors for The Big Lebowski
My vision is to increase my skills to become an A list writer.
What I learned from this assignment was the value of creating unique, memmorable characters that actors would love to play.
THE BIG LEBOWSKI. The Dude.
1 – Actor notoriety – Wants to be known for this part. Iconic role that’s still celebrated to this day.
2 – Character that is most interesting in movie. The Dude is incredibly interesting, a professional slacker whose carefree lifestyle and worldview is unique.
3 – Takes most interesting actions in the story. Only drinks White Russians, has sex with Julieanne Moore, goes to a Hollywood party and gets beat up, then tossed out of Malibu. Gets in fight with nihilists.
4 – Outstanding Introduction. Buys a pint of milk at the grocery store (for his White Russian) in his Dude outfit. We know all about this character in this initial, silent scene.
5 – Range of emotions the actor can play. Goes from subdued and Zen to pissed off and bitter
6 – Subtext the actor can play. Calm underneath the surface when he’s angry, the anger underneath when he’s subdued.
7 – Relationships that are interesting. Him and Walter. Hiim amd Donnie. Him and Julieanne Moore.
8 – Unique Voice expressed through dialogue and action. Very unique dialogue. Outfits are unique. Always drinking White Russians. Loves CCR, but hates The Eagles.
9 – Something truly special about this character.One of the most iconic roles in the last 25 years. There’s no one quite like The Dude.
WALTER:
1 – Actor notoriety – Wants to be known for this part. Hilarious support role. Ex-military hard ass with contadictions and hypocrises.
2 – Character that is most interesting in movie. Unique perspective- everything’s about Vietnam. Spouts off things, a lot of it crass, an expefrt on everything. Stays Jewish after the divorce, watches his ex-wife’s pouffy dog. ‘I can get you a toe.’
3 – Takes most interesting actions in the story. Smashes the windshield of a Ferrari. Bites ear off nihilist. Pulls gun on Smoky at the bowling alley. Rolls out of car during drop off of money. Interrogates 15 year old. Yells at waiter in restaurant, finishing his coffee. Bear hugs old Lebowski in his wheelchair.
4 – Outstanding Introduction. At bowling alley, questioning the Dude about the robbery. Through his dress, haircut and sunglasses, and his dialogue we know all about Walter and his military roots.
5 – Range of emotions the actor can play. Goes from philosophical to a rage. From a hard ass to a whipped divorcee.
6 – Subtext the actor can play. Rage brewing in him at all times. It’s all about good vs evil and he believes in justice.
7 – Relationships that are interesting. Him and the Dude. Him and Donnie- bullies Donnie. Him and the real Lebowski.
8 – Unique Voice expressed through dialogue and action. Very unique perspective of good and evil, carrying out justice. Also, his hypocrisy throughout the movie; chastises the Dude for calling the guy a Chinaman, then uses it himself. Calls the bowling official a Kraut.
9 – Something truly special about this character. No one’s quite like Walter, always bringing up Vietnam and his know it all musings and hypocrisy.
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Dawn Crouch’s Actor Attractors –
Vision – In WIM, I will listen and learn to write my best screenplay, which will be optioned and produced.
What I learned from doing this assignment is to design the attractors, purposefully adding them to the script… and also don’t let another character steal the show!
Movie Title: Swing Kids
Lead Character Name: Peter – Robert Sean Leonard
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Great role for a young actor. His love of jazz and swing music is in direct opposition with rise of Nazis in pre-war Germany.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? His emotional conflict and complications within his family, his group of friends, and himself.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Steals the radio and gets caught. Forced to join Hitler Youth. Opens the delivery box and sees what he is delivering to families.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? Shy, reticent but still asks the girl to dance then really goes all out with his dancing.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? Innocent to Aware
6. What subtext can the actor play? That he knows what is really going on underneath all the propaganda and noise
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? With Thomas and his other friends; his mother and brother, the gestapo leader
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? In his actions. He is obedient to a point.
9. What makes this character special and unique? I had trouble with this one because Peter is so reactive. Things happen to him or he participates in an action, like stealing the radio, because it is suggested to him by Thomas. I think that is a problem with this character.
10. Peter delivers books. That’s his after school job and when he is forced to join Hitler Youth, he is still used as a delivery boy although he is not sure what he is delivering. Peter is obedient but one day decides to see what is in the package and discovers cremated remains and a wedding ring. He has been used to be a messenger of death.
Lead Character Name: Thomas – Christian Bale
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Flamboyant role, risky, carefree, but in the end the role with the greatest range of emotion.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? His arc is the greatest change although it is a change for the worse.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Scratching the record – never quite know if he did this on purpose. Suggest stealing the radio. Embracing Hitler Youth.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? He is the first to dance and does so with abandon and style.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? Happy and innocent to cruel.
6. What subtext can the actor play? He plays the confident sure footed person who is really abused and insecure.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? With Peter and Arvid among the friends, his father’s overbearing and dismissive opinion of him.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He acts then thinks and finally doesn’t think at all
9. What makes this character special and unique? He should be a leader but in the end is the ultimate follower, looking to others for an opinion of himself.
10. The scene where he really does wholeheartedly join Hitler Youth.
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My Vision: I am a writer/director/producer that writes and makes films of all kinds, and I am recognized by the industry as both a highly successful filmmaker and as a person that’s easy to work with.
What I learned from doing this assignment is how to create memorable characters in a screenplay that actors will want to play.
Movie Title: The Bourne Identity
Lead Character Name: Jason Bourne
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Jason Bourne is the ultimate superspy.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Jason doesn’t remember who he is and has a set of skills that make him a formidable and potentially lethal opponent to anyone that tries to cross his path. He also knows multiple languages. And he desperately tries to figure out why people are trying to kill him, and how he can survive.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Jason’s sudden display of fighting skills at the beginning of the film when he’s sleeping at the park, and his bewilderment on how he just disarmed and disabled two policemen with his bare hands. He also speaks German to them before he disarms them. Also, his ability to blend in and remain undetected while the CIA is trying everything they can to get a bead on him. Lastly, Jason has the ability to draw out the people that are trying to kill him on his terms.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Jason is found floating in the ocean unconscious by a fishing boat during a storm. When he wakes up he doesn’t know who he is, or how he ended up in the ocean.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Jason can be cold and calculated, like when he disarms and or kills those that are trying to kill him. He’s also frustrated at times, because he can’t remember who he is or why people are trying to kill him. He can be vulnerable as he demonstrates when he falls in love with Marie. And he’s righteously indignant with those that won’t leave him alone.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
There’s an inherent rage that smolders beneath the surface due his being a hunted man and he doesn’t know why, which affects what he says and does throughout the film.
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has?
Jason’s relationship with Marie is interesting because she’s the only person he knows, due to his amnesia, and he’s the only person she has a connection with; they need each other on every level.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Jason only kills or disarms people to defend himself, which gives him a layer of morality.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Jason is a reluctant hero. He just wants to live his life and be left alone, while at the same time, he is a lethal government assassin that has no recollection of what his past life was.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
There’s a scene where Jason and Marie travel to her friend’s house in Paris, and he discovers that another assassin that’s been sent to kill him, has tracked them down. He tells Marie along with her friend and his children to hide, downstairs, showing that he cares for Maire, and doesn’t want innocent people to die. He grabs a shotgun and goes out and methodically hunts down and kills the assassin. As he’s dying in a field outside the house, he’s questioned by Jason, who just wants to know who he is and why he was sent kill him. Jason displays a myriad of emotions in that one scene, and there are others where he does the same.
Movie Title: The Bourne Identity
Lead Character Name: Marie Kreutz
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Marie is tough and fearless, far from being a damsel in distress.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Marie proves to be an invaluable ally to Jason, even though she hardly knows him at first. She has no one in her life, and nowhere to go, so she figures she might as well go with him so that she belongs to someone.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
When faced with mortal danger in Paris, Jason tells Marie she can leave and go back to her life or get in the car with him and face the dangers he’s facing. She opts to go with him, which not many people would do.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Marie is at the American Consulate in Switzerland, trying to get a Visa. She’s assertive with the man behind the counter, but no go. She runs into Jason by her car, and he offers to pay her $20,000 to give him a ride to Paris, no questions asked. Marie balks at it at first, but Jason convinces her, as he needs a ride and she need money, and they set off together.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Marie is no shrinking violet and can handle whatever scenarios Jason’s plight puts her through. She’s also vulnerable and passionate, as she eventually falls in love with Jason. She can also be genuinely frightened at times but is able to work through it and stay focused on the task at hand.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Marie is clearly in love with Jason, though she doesn’t ever say it. But it influences everything she says and does in the film.
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has?
Marie’s relationship with Jason is particularly unique because she’s willing to go on a journey with him that she may not survive, even though she barely knows him.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Marie is trying to fit in, to belong anywhere.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
She shows courage in the face of danger for a person she hardly knows and does so without a second thought.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
As Jason and Marie arrive in Paris at his apartment, he thanks her for giving him a ride and pays her the $20,000 they agreed upon. He tells her she can come up and stay for a bit before she moves on, and she agrees. An assassin crashed through the window, and Jason fights him to the death, But rather than run off afterwards, Marie stays with him, and wants to help him find out who’s hunting him and why.
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My Vision: To create a polished portfolio and do whatever it takes to get a manager, and then sell multiple TV and or feature scripts.
What I learned doing this assignment is that there are many facets that go into creating characters that will attract actors, in my genre’s case, the more psychologically messed up the better.
Movie Title: The Machinist
Lead Character Name: Christian Bale
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? Not only was it a mentally taxing role – playing a man with dark demons and guilt, it was also physically taxing – he had to lose 63 pounds until he was emaciated. This alone created buzz for the movie and his part.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? He’s like able but he hasn’t slept in a year. He’s filled with guilt that manifests externally – constantly washing hands and cleaning. Has a wide range of emotions and we as the audience take the ride with him trying to uncover why he is wracked with guilt, and what is reality and what is only his reality.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Almost kills a co-worker
Befriends a character that is only in his mind
Tries to solve the mystery of who that character (Ivan) is
Solves a puzzle of hangman to provide the clues of who he is
Throws himself in front of a car in order to report a missing persons case
Has a relationship with a hooker
Almost loses his own arm in a work accident
Ditches the police in a chase in the sewer
He DOESN’T sleep
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
He is rolling up a dead body in a carpet, driving it to a pier and throwing it in. We see from the very beginning that this character will be interesting by his dark eyed, sleep deprived appearance.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Exhaustion, level-headedness and capability at work then spiraling into a deep psychotic hole filled with fear, outbursts, anger and sadness/regret by the end of the movie.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Confusion at his situation, what is reality what is not, guilt (shown externally in actions), sadness (losing mother), wrestling with his reality – what is real, what is not
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has?
With co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh, a call girl that actually cares for him. The relationship with Ivan, who is a man that is simply a manifestation of his guilt, and Maria which is another imagined character, a manifestation of his own mother and the mother of the boy he killed.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Articulate but man of a few words, funny but in a subtle self-deprecating way
9. What makes this character special and unique?
His appearance, struggle with his guilt, manifestation of people who don’t exist, the way he drags himself through his life because he has know choice.
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Bice-Stephens: Actor Attractors for “Fatal Attraction”
2022 is my year to break through!
What I learned: learning by example is great!
Lead Characters:
Glenn Close and Michael Douglas
1. Want to be known for:
Glenn—Glamorous single with the appearance of a normal life but with badly damaged psych underneath (Became typecast from role though)
Michael—Successful lawyer living a perfect life who falls fast
2. One of most interesting:
Glenn—Out manipulates Michael at every turn
Michael—Smart man who gets outsmarted over and over
3. Interesting actions:
Glenn—Boils pet rabbit! Boils pet rabbit!!
Boils pet rabbit!!!
Michael—Tries to maintain composure in front of wife when Glenn stops by to see the house
4. Character introduction:
Glenn—at party is happy, charming, attractive, free with no strings
Michael—at party, handsome, debonair, happy family man
5. Character emotional range:
Glenn—top of the world life and job to crazy as possible, cutting, clingy, delusional
Michael—just out for a good time to desperately losing control
6. Subtext actor plays:
Glenn—manipulate, plot, control, repeat
Michael—trapped with no legal way out, constantly out maneuvered
7. Interesting relationships:
Glenn—tries to befriend wife, takes daughter to park as if totally normal to pick up from school
Michael—lawyer friends disapprove but go easy on him
8. Unique voices presented:
Glenn—control by erratic delusions
Michael—exploited and has to cover
9. Characters special and unique:
Glenn—father died in front of her and never overcame loss
Michael—had the perfect family but it wasn’t enough
10. Scene fulfilling model:
When Glenn slits her wrists to keep Michael from leaving, he realizes he’s in deep with no way out.
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WIM2 – Alan’s Actor Attractors for Kick-Ass
My Vision:
I do whatever it takes for me to be a true wordsmith that spins wildly original and entertaining screenplays that are passionately sought out by top industry professionals who turn them into critically and publicly acclaimed major motion pictures distributed by the top studios in Hollywood, all while writing from wherever I may be leisurely traveling the world at the moment.
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What I learned: It’s good to take a step back and study a great film and see these actor attractors in action. Another great thing to consciously apply to your screenplays.
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Title: Ninja Burgers
Genre: Action/Comedy
Concept: A down on his luck, thirty-something fast food employee finds a high tech bracelet that turns him into the world’s deadliest super soldier.
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Actor Attractor Assignment
Movie Title: Kickass
Lead Character Name: Damon Macready (Big Daddy)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? It’s the most unusual character in a film full of unusual characters. Plus he’s a masked batman-like badass who has been framed and disgraced and, now free of jail, seeks revenge! Who doesn’t want to play that guy?!
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? His unique situation in life: former cop, framed by the mob, jailed, wife commits suicide, now a single father of a young daughter, vigilante – revenge seeker, and his unique relationship with his daughter.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Trains his daughter how to take a bullet strike to a bullet proof vest by shooting her in the chest…twice. Multiple kickass fight sequences. Gets to play with an array of heavy weaponry. Is burned alive. A tearful farewell with his daughter before he dies.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? With a big action/fight sequence! Rescues Kick-Ass from certain death by a group of drug dealing thugs. He and his daughter wipe out the gang, save Kick-Ass and then steal all the drug dealer’s money.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? Tender fatherly love to badass vigilante to rage to agonizing torture while being burned alive to a tearful goodbye to his daughter as he dies.
6. What subtext can the actor play? He’s preparing his young daughter to survive without him because he knows his quest for revenge is likely to lead to his death.
7. What’s the most interesting relationship this character has? With his young daughter Mindy (Hit-Girl). He trains her to become the ultimate badass.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He’s two different people when he’s out of costume and dressed up for crime fighting as Big Daddy. A loving father and then a ruthless, heartless, vigilante seeking revenge.
9. What makes this character special and unique? His relationship with his daughter hasn’t been seen before. His attitudes are so strikingly against all that you think a good father would be, but at the heart level he’s doing what he feels he must to insure her future safety in the strange world they live in.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.) The entire death scene, while being burned alive he continues to encourage his daughter who he has trained for exactly this moment, and through his screams you can sense that he’s proud of her and he knows that he did his job and that she’s going to be okay after he’s gone. And then before he goes, he gets to have a very emotional scene with her as they say their tear-filled goodbyes.
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Actor’s role
1. An actor would want to be known for this role for the character’s confidence in his own ability with research and deductions, but how he fails with women. Gorgeous classmate latches on to him until she admits it is only to pass the course.
2. He is most interesting because of Irony. Although he loses the girl, he accepts the challenge of finding the professor’s attacker and his lost/stolen manuscript although he suspects it will go against everything he believes.
3. A scene evolves from his passion to protect Shakespeare’s legacy from those who insist the bard’s identity is a false claim to the plays and sonnets. When he encounters villains, attackers, and other kidnappers, he discovers he can fight them.
4. His introduction can be his breakup with the hot classmate or the arguments with the professor, who, actually, likes opposition.
5. Emotional range is that of a relatively shy, but stubborn graduate student who is uncomfortable with other classmates, especially women, who rises above his own convictions to save his professor.
6. What subtext can actor play comes from failure to have self-worth.
7. Interesting relationships arise from his crush on the attractive classmate, his dislike for the egocentric one, and his unfortunate professor who has enemies the main character has to fight with another volunteer from the class, a women who is opposed to him.
8. Unique voice is that of a grammar policeman and a bookish sense of humor.
9. What makes this character special and unique is his emotional arc and personal view of himself. His confidence soars when he completes his mission and takes the professor where the man can redo his manuscript.
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My visions is to write memorable scripts that actors want to perform.
WIL: A character who has opposing characteristics within himself makes an interesting role for an actor especially if his arc is exciting.
Watch a movie: raiders of the Lost Ark
1. An actor wants to play Bigger than life lead like Indiana Jones.
2. Most interesting for the most conflicts and successes he meets.
3. Most interesting actions are from his brilliant calculations and his abilities as a fighter.
4. The big introduction shows the devil-may-care Indiana Jones retrieving a valuable artifact with many dangers including a huge rolling boulder.
5. His emotional range swings from a lover to a carefree but ruthless fighter.
6. The subtext shows his mundane position as a professor and later his fear of snakes.
7. His two main relationships are with his former girlfriend and his good friend who provides much of what he needs, but also a French archeologist, his nemesis and competitor.
8. His unique voice shows he doesn’t waste words. What he says he means and can back it up.
9. His character is special and unique because he has dual personalities: one is dedicated research professor and the other is a fortune-hunter, passionate about training lost treasures.
10. When Indie and girl are bound to a pole, the Nazis open the arc. Indie knows the stories about the sanctity of the arc and the danger and tells Miriam to close her eyes, so that they won’t be destroyed like the others.
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[WIM2] Antonio Flores’ Actor attractors for The Dark Tower
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To write profound stories that make the audience feel inspired,
empowered to achieve ongoing growth today and in the future.
— Antonio Flores
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What I learned from doing this assignment:
I came to experience the movie creative process, how a WHAT IF… can take an idea to extremes. What if young John Connor had not had the protection of the Terminator? What if young John Connor had to protect the Terminator? Then understood how The Dark Tower’s character Jake Chambers came to be created.
Movie Title: The Dark Tower (2017)
Lead Character Name: Jake Chambers (Tom Taylor)
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
He is the key to save the universe. He is the epitome of the child who grieves for his father’s absence, a revised version of The Who’s Tommy, an iconic character that several generations grew up with. He is Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, who Paul McCartney sings in Hey Jude. Most of all, he is young John Connor from Terminator, who has to save the day without the protection of a Terminator or in this case, his gunslinger superhero, who actually ditches him more than once as he does not know the key role he has in saving the universe. So character Jake has much more potential to show off on screen.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He is a boy with a divergent mind. He also possesses a great psychic power that we discover little by little throughout the story and so, it keeps us intrigued.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Jake takes in the movie?
He takes the challenge to swim against the current when nobody believes him. He draws the world that is calling him. He saves Roland the Gunslinger. At the end of the story, he is the one who suddenly turns the tables around when everything seems to be lost in the climax of the story — a totally unexpected turn with a tragic ending.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
There are two key scenes that depict well what Jake does. One, is the scene when his mom signs the document for the authorities to take him away while he is in his room searching for the portal to the world he drew and needs to go to. The other scene is when he brings the gunslinger back to our world to buy mercury tablets in the pharmacy and saves the life of the tough good guy more than once. Is like if young John Connor had saved the Terminator.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He can keep his sanity regardless of the psychiatrist and everyone saying otherwise, even in an extreme scenario when he finds the remains of his mother and stepfather, then gets the vision of how they died in the hands of Walter. He is able to put up courage in the face of really scary situations.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Resourceful, divergent, makes-wise-decisions/visionary, resilient, endlessly grieves for the dead of his father.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
The Jake-Roland relationship is similar to the young John Connor-Terminator relationship, except that in the Dark Tower, Roland, the Terminator-like character does not know that he is supposed to protect Jake. He protects him, just because he wouldn’t let a boy die, but he does not spare a chance to ditch him or give him to others and express his lack of interest for him.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Through his drawings that reveal his deep, visionary, diverged vision.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He keeps us wondering what else he might be able to do. He believes that he has a mission to go to other dimensions and save the universe.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM
Jake emerges into the common area, his mother bowed at the table, his stepfather opening the front door.
JAKE’S MOTHER
(seeing him)
Jake, baby –
She’s looking up, wiping fresh tears from her eyes —
JAKE’S MOTHER (CONT’D)
Sweetheart —
JAKE
Lon, don’t, you don’t know what you’re doing here —
STEPFATHER
This is for your own good, Jake —
JAKE
Lon, please, can you just stop being a douche for one second?
Lon stops, for once actually speechless. Jake is equally surprised himself. But in for a penny….
JAKE (CONT’D)
I mean you never liked me, right? We both get it. Not enough mom-time. But I think you’re really out of your depth here. Or you’re not.
(beat)
Who knows? Maybe I am crazy.
(focused again)
Or maybe these guys coming to get me have different heads under skin masks, know what I mean?
JAKE (CONT’D)
Wait —
(laughs)
Ha. I guess not. No, no, you wouldn’t. But I gotta get out of here. I’ve got to go see. If there’s nothing there, if it’s just a house, if there’s no door, then maybe then I’ll go with them, okay, but what if it’s real, it’s like a pressure inside telling me it’s real. Like if I don’t, something, no everything terrible is going to happen all at once.
(settling)
Momma.
(at her, heart breaking)
Momma, please.
Lon pulls open the door to reveal two ORDERLIES in white.
JAKE’S MOTHER
Lon, maybe-
ORDERLY
Chambers?
They spot Jake.
STEPFATHER
Him.
ORDERLY
Okay, kid, listen —
One of the orderlies is moving forward, separating from his partner. Jake eyes the widening gap between them.
ORDERLY (CONT’D)
No one’s going to hurt you —
Jake pulls the gun. Everyone freezes.
JAKE
I gotta do this, mom.
Jake pulls back the hammer with his free hand. Eyes betray dangerous levels of fear and vulnerability.
A moment. Then the tough orderly takes a half step aside. Jake, back to the wall, slides past Lon and the orderlies.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by Antonio Flores.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by
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Marcus’ Actor Attractors for “Silverado”
My Vision: I have well-founded confidence that what I write is excellent and will be acknowledged as excellent by everyone who reads it.
I learned the basics of not just writing to attract a big actor, but making lead characters excellent.
Movie Title: Silverado
Lead Character Name: Emmett
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
An upstanding guy with a shady past. A man of action who knows when to keep his nose clean and when to get into the fight.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s an honest guy, but not too honest. Helps his brother and a friend escape jail. Helps a guy in abandoned in the desert. Served 5 years unfairly. He is good in a gunfight. Makes a comeback from being kicked the head by a horse. Seeks justice when his nephew is kidnapped.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Saves Paden. Catches his enemy in a position to kill him with his horse, the way that guy tried to kill him.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Ambushed by three unknown assailants while he sleeps. Fights them off and kills them.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Cool under extreme pressure. Greatly angered when his nephew is kidnapped, but maintains composure.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
When he realizes that McKendrick sent the three unknown assailants to kill him, he does not react in the least or let on that he knows. Not subtext, per se, but he is now on high alert.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Tolerant of his screw up brother.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He’s as cool under pressure as it is possible to be. Is masterful in a gunfight.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
When he finds out that the money box has been stolen from Hobart’s wagon train, he leads Jake, Paden and Mal to get it back. He rides into the bad guys’ hideout and pretends, very convincingly, to be someone he isn’t. This gives Paden, who is playing dead, a chance to secure the strong box while the bad guys are distracted by the gunfight that erupts. They ride out of the hideout with the strongbox and return it to Hobart. They ask for nothing in return.
Character Name: Paden
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Former bad guy turned honest, then goes back to work for his former boss, a bad guy. Proves his true colors in the end and guns down the bad guy.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Wants to be involved in the saloon and gets the job of pit boss. But when push comes to shove, he does the right thing and betrays his boss, and old friend who is a bad guy – and the Sherriff of Silverado.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Buys a crappy gun – with which he’s a crack shot – so he can kill the guy who stole his horse. Kills a guy to get back his favorite hat. The story of him the dog. Becomes immediate friends with Stella. Becomes the pit boss of the saloon, hired by Cobb. Kills Cobb in a gun fight.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Lying in the desert wearing only his long johns, expecting imminent death.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
He risks his life to save an injured dog – that he doesn’t even like. He risks his life to return a stolen strongbox for no compensation, because it’s right.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Forms an immediate bond with Stella, the proprietress of the saloon. Won’t do anything to help Emmett because he worries for Stella’s safety. She assures him she can take care of herself and he then does the right thing.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
9. What makes this character special and unique?
He always does what’s right, even if it involves killing people. Shows immense empathy for the plight of others. Yet he’s tough as nails.
(Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
His first meeting with Stella where she teaches him that “the world is what you make of it”. He is impressed by how her intellect and determination make up for her small stature. She is impressed with his cool nature and how he understands what she says. Paden then comes in and tells the story of the dog which demonstrates Paden’s compassion for a helpless animal and determination to always do what’s right.
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George Petersen – ACTOR ATTRACTORS
My Vision is to direct one of my screenplays as a low-budget indie feature
What I learned from this assignment is the importance of seeing a script from the actor’s point of view
THE THIRD MAN
HOLLY MARTINS:
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
For the chance to play a novelist who gets tangled up in the black market of postwar Vienna.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Holly is a novelist, but he acts as an amateur detective intent on finding out how his friend was murdered.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Holly plays the detective role, gets tangled up in the black market
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Holly is introduced as an entertaining writer of Western novelettes in brutal postwar Vienna, a fish out of water
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Holly goes from happy-go-lucky novelist without a dime to his name to the pursuer who kills his best friend.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Holly has a hard time communicating with Anna, Harry’s girl.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Holly’s relationship to Harry is to defend his friend, but as the story reveals more dark secrets, Holly changes until he takes over the pursuit and kills his friend.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Naive. Gullible.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Holly is faced with a moral dilemma: help his friend prosper on the dark side or expose Harry’s black market, which dilutes penicillin that results in the death of innocent children.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The final scene: Anna walks past Holly as he puts out a cigarette, refusing to acknowledge him.
HARRY LIME:
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
For the chance of playing a dead man come back to life.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Harry is immediately intriguing because the viewer wants to know why he faked his own death.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Harry gets his say in the Ferris wheel scene. Harry gets chased through the sewers of Vienna.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Harry, who is supposedly dead, shows up bigger than life in a flash of light on the street
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Harry tries to justify his evil deeds with empty rationalizations. He doesn’t change. But he does pursue his downward goals to the bitter end.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
The viewer can never tell when Harry is telling the truth.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Harry offers to cut Holly in on the action but Holly refuses the dark side
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Calculating. Measured.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Harry is a good person who has been totally corrupted by the war. Now it’s all dog eat dog.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The Ferris wheel scene: Will Harry push his friend out the door as the cab teeters high in the air?
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Drew Foerster’s Actor attractors for The Fugitive
MY VISION IS (living as if it is already fact): I am an award-winning produced Hollywood screenwriter with an excellent reputation that is represented by an outstanding manager and whose life is filled with creativity!
What I learned from doing this assignment is… if you can hit all the actor attractors with your story, it will greatly increase the chances that your project will attract attention from big name actors.
Movie Title: THE FUGITIVE
Lead Character Name: Dr. Richard Kimble
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? He’s a bad ass doctor who has everything against him, but gets revenge on the system and the people responsible for his wife’s death.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He’s a rich doctor who is great at surgery. He’s framed for murder but escapes prison and uses his high intelligence and medical knowledge to solve the mystery of who really killed his wife.3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? He saves people’s lives. He escapes a crashed bus before it’s hit by a train. He jumps off a dam and survives. He hunts down his wife’s killer. He solves the mystery of who killed his wife. He discovers that a pharma company faked test studies and stops their production and sale.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? We first see him covered in blood. His wife is dead on their bedroom floor. Cops everywhere. At this point everything is a mystery. Is he the killer? Why is he covered in blood?
5. What is this character’s emotional range? From the depths of sorrow from losing his wife. To the deepest hopelessness after being convicted of her murder. To pure fear the many times he is almost killed– like the bus crash, the train crash, diving off a dam, being shot at, fighting on a rooftop. Pure anger when he discovers who killed his wife. Even happiness when he comes home before he discovers his wife is dead.
6. What subtext can the actor play? He’s an escaped convicted murderer that people he meets on the run don’t know. He often jokes around to cover his sadness. He has one goal in mind… find the one armed man.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? The tug of war with the Marshall. They both fear and respect each other.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He uses medical jargon. Has a sense of humor. Super intelligent.
9. What makes this character special and unique? He saves lives, even when his at risk. He’s incredibly brave and intelligent.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character)
INT. TUNNEL – DAY
Gerard feels in the water for his firearm. Doctor Kimble stands in the shadows, holds the Marshall’s gun.
Kimble: I didn’t kill my wife!
Gerard: I don’t care!
Kimble rushes away down the tunnel. Gerard pulls out a spare gun. Catches up to the doctor.
Gerard: Put that gun down! Put that gun down! Now!
Kimble continues to back up. Gets close to an edge of an opening. He looks—he’s at the top of a very tall damn.
Gerard: Hands up!
Kimble puts hands up.
Gerard: Over your head!
The doctor raises them higher.
Gerard: Turn around!
Richard hesitates.
Gerard: Richard, do you want to get shot?
Richard looks over his shoulder at the rushing water beneath him.
Gerard: Pay attention! Get down on your knees! Right now!
Kimble turns and starts to lower to his knees and then… HE JUMPS.
Lead Character Name: Marshall Samuel Gerard
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role? He’s cool and strong. In charge and a master of his domain.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie? He is cool, calm and collected. He takes charge of every situation. He is great at his job which is to hunt down people.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie? Car chases, helicopter chase, chase through a hotel, chase through the tunnels of the dam. Organizing many people to hunt down Dr. Kimble. He shoots a man who took one of his men hostage.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor? The Marshall comes to the site of the train/bus crash. He takes control. He quickly gets the truth out of the prison guard. He takes over the investigation from the local authorities.
5. What is this character’s emotional range? He is firm, driven and determined to caring and helpful.
6. What subtext can the actor play? He will do anything to get the job done.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has? His relationship with his prey, Dr. Kimble.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented? He is dry and direct. Often humorous but sometimes scary. Super intelligent. Uses law enforcement terms. Barks orders.
9. What makes this character special and unique? He is great at his job, hunting criminals.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
INT. TUNNEL – DAY
Gerard feels in the water for his firearm. Doctor Kimble stands in the shadows, holds the Marshall’s gun.
Kimble: I didn’t kill my wife!
Gerard: I don’t care!
Kimble rushes away down the tunnel. Gerard pulls out a spare gun. Catches up to the doctor.
Gerard: Put that gun down! Put that gun down! Now!
Kimble continues to back up. Gets close to an edge of an opening. He looks—he’s at the top of a very tall damn.
Gerard: Hands up!
Kimble puts hands up.
Gerard: Over your head!
The doctor raises them higher.
Gerard: Turn around!
Richard hesitates.
Gerard: Richard, do you want to get shot?
Richard looks over his shoulder at the rushing water beneath him.
Gerard: Pay attention! Get down on your knees! Right now!
Kimble turns and starts to lower to his knees and then… HE JUMPS.
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Chris Blanchett’s Actor Attractors for NETWORK
I am a brilliant, massively successful, professional screenwriter who writes incredible movies in a wide variety of genres which become instant-classics. I am respected by my professional peers and bring genuine, thought-provoking entertainment and uplifting emotions to hundreds of millions of movie-goers.
What I learned from this assignment: A very useful check list to assist in building great characters.
Movie Title: Network
Lead Character Name: Howard Beale
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
The role of Howard Beale literally (not figuratively) requires a tour de force performance.
What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
His journey from down and out news-anchor to mad-prophet of the airwaves.
What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
His messianic on-air diatribes to the country.
How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
In a sequence that takes him from being told by his boss and best friend that he is being fired to announcing during the evening news his intention to kill himself on-air.
What is this character’s emotional range?
As wide-ranging as any in the history of film. From down and out to maniacally passionate.
What subtext can the actor play?
Is he really crazy or playing a role?
What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Probably the relationship he has with the unseen television audience. They are his flock and the emotional tie he feels for them is palpable.
How is this character’s unique voice presented?
A good and decent man who has been driven mad trying to make sense of a senseless world.
What makes this character special and unique?
His ability to create meaning for his life. His passionate desire to tell the truth.
(Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!
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Erin Ziccarelli’s Actor attractors for Beautiful Boy (2018)
Vision: I am going to create meaningful scripts that leave audiences remembering my movies and leave me excited to keep writing and moving up in the industry.
What I learned from doing this assignment is: what attracts an actor to a role. After completing this assignment, I will rewrite my character’s introduction and then further refine it in future modules. I want an actor to see themselves in that role as soon as they read the character description.
Movie Title: Beautiful Boy
Lead Character Name: David Sheff
1. Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Average all-American dad dealing with a major family crisis that takes a grueling toll on his mental health and happiness. Makes his ordinary life “interesting”/unique.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
He has a choice to make – continue to try helping Nic overcome his addiction or step back because he’s done everything he can do. He must make the decision that he doesn’t have control over Nic’s fate – it’s up to Nic if he falls prey to his addiction.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Lots of disagreements/arguments/emotionally charged scenes. Light on the physical action side. Lead has the opportunity to work with several different actors playing his son at different ages, and explore the father-son dynamic.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
David Sheff as a concerned father seeking help for his son. Communicates concern and urgency about his son’s addiction, keeps the audience guessing if Nic will be cured. The film cuts back to one year earlier, when David became aware of the severity of Nic’s addiction – the flashback keeps us wondering how David and Nic got to this point.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Fascinating emotional range for the lead character – from proud to disappointed to frantic to borderline hysteric parent. Portrays different emotions based on his son’s stage in life and the severity of Nic’s addiction. Shows the severity of Nic’s addiction on his health, his relationship with his second wife, and the happiness of their family.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Constant love and concern for Nic coming out in every scene. This drives all of his actions – he will go anywhere, spend whatever amount of money, and use whatever resources he has to help his son. This penetrates every scene.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Most interesting relationships include David and Nic’s relationship, as well as David’s relationship with his ex-wife. They communicate because of their shared interest in helping their son. They must overcome their old wounds and work together to support Nic. David and Nic have the most charged relationship – David struggles to relate to and forgive Nic as his addiction worsens and takes over his life.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
David is a caring person – his concern for Nic’s wellbeing, as well as his wife and other two children shows in every scene. His interactions with Nic’s doctors and mother also show this unique voice.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
David has incredible patience, determination, and ability to forgive. He never truly gives up on Nic – instead, he tells Nic that he loves him and hopes he will get his life together since he’s out of ideas on how to help. Nic’s mom and stepmom are much quicker to “give up” on Nic, but David sticks by his side through the worst of it and is back by his side in the last scene.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
INT. BEDROOM DAVID & KAREN, SHEFF HOUSE – NIGHT
David is throwing UNDERWEAR, SHIRTS, a TOILETRIES POUCH and other items into a TRAVEL BAG. Karen enters, giving David the a ‘what’s-going-on’-look.
KAREN
How do we even know he’s in LA? I mean he could be in San Francisco. He could be in fucking Mexico for all we know.
DAVID
I need to go.
KAREN
And I need you to stay.
DAVID
I told you, Vicki can’t handle it.
KAREN
I don’t care about Vicki. This isn’t about Vicki!!
DAVID
Why don’t you just relax and try to be reasonable.
KAREN
What? You be reasonable!
DAVID
I am being reasonable.
KAREN
IS THIS REASONABLE?
DAVID
NO IT’S NOT! How can I be? My son is out there somewhere and I don’t know what he’s doing. I don’t know how to help him!
KAREN
YOU CAN’T!
David lets that sink in. It hurts but it might be true.
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[I am jumping back in after having surgery and recovering. I am way behind, but I will keep moving forward.]
(Patty Ruland’s) Actor attractors for (Finding Nemo).
My vision: To get better and better at this so I can gain representation and make a good living in this field.What I learned from doing this assignment is: That making a script a character-driven one will likely increase its power and appeal with viewers.
ACTOR ATTRACTORS Template
Movie Title: Finding Nemo
Lead Character Name: Nemo
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Nemo, as a character, exemplifies a hero on the “hero’s journey.” Though a small youth, the son, of his widowed father Marlin, Nemo makes a transformational journey that is enthralling and inspiring to most any viewer, no matter one’s age. Most actors would want to play the part of such a sympathetic, beguiling hero.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
The movie’s title, Finding Nemo, places Nemo at the center of the story, so everything he does enriches and moves the plot along.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Nemo defies his father by swimming beyond the reef, making him relatable to most offspring. Then, after his capture, he befriends a motley crew of aquarium residents, eventually freeing them all through his bourgeoning ingenuity and tenacity.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
Nemo’s egg is the lone survivor after a shark gulps down the rest of his 200 siblings; the sight of the tiny orange egg forlorn and utterly vulnerable would pull on an actor’s heart strings, as it implied the great potential of this character to develop into the heart and soul of the movie. An actor would enjoy fleshing out this role as the story progressed.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Nemo possesses precocious emotional range, from his minor rebellion, to his frightful journey separated from his father, to their reunion—the last scene is especially poignant, emotionally, when Nemo turns back, rushes toward his father, and tells him he loves him.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Nemo’s desire to prove himself as more than a helpless small fry undergirds all that he does.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Nemo’s most interesting relationship(s) are with his fellow aquarium captives—each one influences Nemo to develop and prepare for his date with destiny, when he breaks free.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Nemo’s makes a believable newborn son, then defiant school kid, then small fish on a mission, to find his father. As strictly a character lost without his father, his essence is relatable and irresistible to all of the “non-fish” who watch the movie.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Nemo has the temerity to prevail over his captors, despite the monumental odds against him. As a little fish seemingly at the mercy of a huge ocean and its denizens of monstrous characters, he finds a way to win out.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
The initial scene that has Nemo defying his father and venturing beyond the reef, then finding himself in an aquarium scooper net, being drug ever farther away from his father . . . to the final scene when he rushes back to his father to tell him goodbye and he loves him—well, who would not want to play this role?
ACTOR ATTRACTORS Template
Movie Title: Finding Nemo
Lead Character Name: Dory
Why would an actor WANT to be known for this role?
Dory is the eccentric, ebullient friend to Marlin, who never abandons him or his quest to find his son. Despite her memory problems, and grating behaviors, Dory stands out as a character who’s as noble as she is hapless and enervating, her nobility winning out in the end.
2. What makes this character one of the most interesting characters in the movie?
Dory exemplifies the power of irony in powerful screenplays: With her short-term memory loss and flighty ways, she would not be the one expected to be Marlin’s most faithful, long-suffering, long-haul companion. But she is.
3. What are the most interesting actions the Lead takes in the movie?
Dory assumes Marlin’s quest to find his son, Nemo, as her own. Her selflessness and generosity of spirit allow her to transcend the minor imperfections for which she apologizes and about which others lament.
4. How is this character introduced that could sell it to an actor?
In the reef, when first seen, she keeps losing the memory of why she is now swimming side-by-side with Marlin—to find Nemo. In her discombobulated but to the audience endearing state, here, she becomes the poster child for all the dejected, rejected imperfect ones of this world.
5. What is this character’s emotional range?
Dory consistently expresses her emotions through words and deeds.
6. What subtext can the actor play?
Dory loses her parents when she is young; as the years go by, setting her on a quest to find them, she increasingly has difficulty recalling why she is on that quest. This makes her, however, especially attuned and devoted to Nemo and his father’s respective quests to find each other.
7. What’s the most interesting relationships this character has?
Dory’s friendship with Marlin is the most interesting of her relationships in this film. Although she is the selfless one helping Marlin, eventually she reveals their bond is a two-way street—she begs him not to leave her because he helps her remember thins better.
8. How is this character’s unique voice presented?
Dory’s self-effacing personality, her comical delivery add entertainment value to the movie, but they also amplify the pathos she brings to the story, as one who must forever justify her existence, even apologize for it. She’s not used to others giving her ample credit, so she’s the tang who’s content to be a tag-along.
9. What makes this character special and unique?
Dory is the quintessential ride-or-die friend, despite the rejection she experiences.
10. (Fill in a scene that shows the character fulfilling much of the Actor Attractor model.)
When Dory keeps on speaking “whale” in a most annoying and very loud fake-whale finesse, she elevates this comic relief to the limit, to the point Marlin demands she stop, saying no, she can’t speak whale. When the whale shows it understands her, she is redeemed.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Patty Ruland.
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