Day 1: What I learned rewriting my scene/character…?

[Sandeep Gupta]

[Based on preliminary rethinking only, no rewrite yet but it seems I am getting closer.]

Even the characters I know well in my screenplays, were based only on personalities I imagined and the goals and attitudes I gave them. For one I would be missing out on some key scenes if I didn’t think it through on what we learnt {traits, right character, …} last week. The challenge now, would be not just think those, also to keep these in mind. Gosh I lucked out procrastinating. Packing them in later, it seems would be twice the challenge even if not a page one rewrite.

[Paul McGregor]

Hello Sandeep. Are you also having problems accessing Week 2, Day 2? I get a message saying it will be available on 30th May.

Sorry, I wanted to send you this message via our Connection, but couldn’t work out how to do it.

Thanks.

[Sandeep Gupta]

hi Paul, yes, the dates occasionally got jumbled. i did let Zendesk (customer support) know and they fixed it for me in another class. for me, no class is available today, and two tomorrow. i guess we should figure that out before we can share scripts.

[Paul McGregor]

Hello Sandeep, Yes, I also sent a message to Customer Support. Maybe tomorrow (24th May) I’ll get access to Week 2, Day 2 class. Thanks.

[Paul McGregor]

What I learned from re-writing my characters is the importance of the relationships between my characters, as was explained excellently by Hal in his audio for Week 2.

I’ve gained an insight from thinking, in particular, about ‘worthy opponents’ and ‘triangles’. My principal characters are in these sorts of relationships, and now I have to re-write keeping what Hal says in mind. As he says, it will give my script “a new dimension.”

END

[Karyn Laitis]

What I learned: When building my characters look deep into character behaviors and motivations to build a relationship. It can be similarities and/or differences. Creating a dynamic relationship journey should be a visceral, magnetic connection.

[Deb Johnson]

I have five tweens in my current screenplay who start out only marginally as friends – but later unite to defeat the villain in the story. Because they are all different – I now understand that I need to show upfront (and throughout) that these characters belong together.

So, in their introductory scenes – they will all be listening to, singing, or dancing to the same song (“It’s Raining Tacos”) as they get their Halloween costumes ready for trick or treating that night.

This will establish that, while they may be different in other ways – they all like the same song – and they are all super excited about costumes and trick-or-treating.

[Jim]

Initiating the use of W2-D2 in a rewrite of my scene/character I received validation. I discovered I had already established the Protagonist and Antagonist as equally powerful, intelligent, devious, and determined opponents. The result? It raises their level of conflict since both must deal with each other at the top of their game. These two are worthy opponents and elevate the depth (if such a phrase is not counter-intuitive) of the story.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Jim.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Jim. Reason: Didn't realize that Week 2 Day 2 assignments were spread over 2 days. Doh. Threw off my numbering my responses

[David Moe]

What I learned: I have to create more scenes to establish the connection with my main character and her work husband. I’ll give them more opportunities to engage and demonstrate their close relationship.

[Leona Heraty]

What I learned rewriting my scene/character…that I need to show that although my main characters don’t appear at first to have a lot in common, they belong together because they both have strengths that the other person doesn’t have, so they complement each other and without knowing it, challenge each other to grow.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by  Leona Heraty.

[Trish Carothers]

I learned that adding and deepening traits helped the characters become more complex humans. And more “alive” on the page and the mind. My first complexity is a power balance/imbalance which flips, and eventually flips again, and then again. Fun times.