-
Day 2 Assignments
Reply to post your assignment.
-
11 Replies
-
Amy’s Character Traits Live!
What I learned doing this assignment is it’s hard to express your character’s traits if you don’t have a good handle on who they are.
Andrea
Well-spoken
Image conscience
Playful
Competitive
Josh
inquisitive
Honest to a fault
Dad jokes
Self-censoring
INT. POLICE STATION – DAY
SUPER: 2004
POV 2022 Andrea
Josh stands behind the podium. He’s confident but reserved.
Andrea sits among the other news reporters with her CAMERMAN. Her eyes are glued on Josh and she’s in a dreamy state.
JOSH
So we’ve identified the clown killer, but for obvious reasons, we won’t be revealing his identity. This is no joke. We don’t want to give this… depraved person anymore attention.
Andrea’s hand shoots up. She motions her cameraman to stand up with her and makes sure the camera is on her.
Josh is taken aback. He hadn’t noticed this beauty before now.
JOSH
Yes, Ms…
ANDREA
Waldman. Andrea Waldman from WBEN, the best TV station in town.
Other REPORTERS sigh and roll their eyes.
JOSH
Your question.
ANDREA
Oh, yeah. If you don’t identify the clown killer, how do you expect the public to help you find him so you can put an end to this whole circus.
SNICKERS from the CROWD.
JOSH
Ms. Waldman, this is a serious matter.
ANDREA
Oh, all right. Well, do you have any idea where he might be?
JOSH
I’m not going to comment on that. This concludes this press conference.
All the people in the room scurry this way and that. Andrea rushes to the podium, where everyone is trying to talk to Josh at once.
ANDREA
Uh… excuse me. Mr. Richards?
Josh forgets everyone else and looks at Andrea.
JOSH
You can call me Josh.
Andrea giggles.
ANDREA
Okay, Josh, would you be willing to appear on WBEN’s 6 o’ clock show live tonight? We are the number one station in town.
JOSH
Ms. Waldman-
ANDREA
Andrea.
JOSH
Andrea. I’ve already said everything I have to say about the matter. Weren’t you live just now?
ANDREA
Well… yes.
JOSH
Are you a new reporter? I haven’t seen you before.
ANDREA
You ask a lot of questions. That’s my job.
JOSH
Is that right?
ANDREA
Be serious.
JOSH
Oh, NOW you want to be serious.
ANDREA
You are a joker, you know that?
JOSH
I’ve been told. How about we discuss this further over lunch.
ANDREA
Lunch?
JOSH
They do let you eat lunch, don’t they?
-
INT. WAITING ROOM OF DENTAL SCHOOL l DAY
Betty and Ibrahim sit with a plethora of perturbed patients. Betty grins her toothless, smelly smile.BETTY
Since my brain is so good, thanks to your Bright Space Brain Buffet, I need a more optimistic smile. The next time I am raped, my perp is in for a treat.IBRAHIM
Agreed. But why this crowded, crazy dental school? There are plenty of uptown dentists that work faster.BETTY
Just tryin to save you some money, boss. But there’s another reason. This dental school is the best in the country because they take a cross disciplinary approach combining teeth with climate change, engineering, epidemiology, and other endeavors STEMGARCHS supports. My new implants will feature an innovative carnivore cutting feature so that they can kill. The scientists developed them in case of climate catastrophes where people are lost in the wilderness and must eat raw meat.IBRAHIM
My teeth look great but maybe they aren’t hard enough.BETTY
In our world, you can’t be hard enough on the inside although like me, you can look soft superficially. Teeth and diets and bodies have gotten too soft. But as humans become climate refugees, they may have to fend for themselves in the wild. Other mammals had sharper fangs. So they are working on implants with more biting power. I am in.IBRAHIM
Okay, we’ll fund it. I may need something like this going forward.INT. PIERRE HOTEL BALLROOM – SIX MONTHS LATER
Six months later, Betty has a shiny, strong, white pair of dentures that make her smile as wide, willful, and welcoming as a whale’s. Ibrahim is dressed impeccably but is occupied with the coming-out of his debutante daughter Delphine, ironically clad in the same kind of red satin dress Betty wears although she looks more appetizing.Enveloped by a stunning ceiling of silver and gold, the Grand Ballroom is donned opulently with lustrous drapes, handsome detailing, and floor-to-ceiling windows revealing a vast, pillarless center where humans spew out their carbon emissions as if they were perfume. Ibrahim approaches the stage.
IBRAHIM
I am speaking on behalf of STEMGARCHS, the organization that is responsible for this generous, beautiful ball. This is an inclusive debutante ball, all ages, genders, incomes, nationalities, and ethnicities, pets welcome, in the luxury ballroom of Manhattan’s marvelous Pierre Hotel on Central Park South just north of Trump Towers. We even invited Trump and local homeless and poor seniors if they agreed to submit to wardrobe and hygiene improvement beforehand.
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE.
IBRAHIM
This is also a fundraiser for our young scientists, engineers, and medical students. My daughter Delphine doesn’t need the funds, but other young people without her resources need our help. They are our future. Delphine is a neuroscientist and a musical comedienne.All the young men ogle at her. Delphine taps, does a bit of ballet, belly dance, hip hop etc. Her rainbow dress and long shiny dress attract suitors, but she isn’t interested. She changes partners every dance.
Betty also feels like a debutante. The male homeless seniors who don’t recognize her fight over her because she looks rich and sort of healthy. Betty whispers to Ibrahim.BETTY
I dare one of these dudes to rape me.Ibrahim considers her enthusiasm,
IBRAHIM
Agreed that your bite could be lethal, but then you would swallow their blood in a world of contagious diseases. You lack Dracula’s immunity.Hank sings his off-key Hank Sinatra songs. Betty winks at Ibrahim.
BETTY
Hank is appalling and obnoxious. Remember MC?IBRAHIM
How could we forget Manhattan’s best tour guide and Green activist sadly sacrificed to COVID Easter Sunday 2020?BETTY
In another life, Hank was my rival, the retired postman schizoaffective furniture, food, and book hoarder who chased MC. He sings or spits Sinatra songs off-key everywhere accompanied by his spastic arm movements and facial grimaces from years of meds.IBRAHIM: He should have disappeared years ago. What went wrong?
BETTY: We couldn’t take care of them all.
Ibrahim whispers to Betty.
IBRAHIM: It’s good for Delphine to come without Kisele for a change.
BETTY: I feel like a debutante. Renewal is ageless.
IBRAHIM: Agreed age is a protected category all over the country.
EXT. FIFTH AVENUE and CENTRAL PARK SOUTH – NIGHT
At the end of the evening, Kisele waits for Delphine at the front door, and they walk in the park. She takes off her Cinderella gown to don jeans and sneakers.IBRAHIM
So nice to see you Kisele. Did you bring your boat?KISELE
Always. But we are walking in the park first.Betty stays in her bouffant dress and hair and goes to the park with Hank who continues to sing Sinatra songs.
EXT. HALLETT SANCTUARY – NIGHT
Betty and Hank stroll or rather hobble to this wooded area beside the pond and the Plaza since he isn’t in shape for a long hike, she lets him kiss her, and then takes a bite out of his cheek. He hollers and runs away, as she screams rape. She then lowers her voice, so he realizes she is the old Boat Bob from the senior center. He screams louder than her. She brought Listerine, Fluoride, and Chlorine wipes to disinfect. She didn’t swallow anything.Scene ends with Frank Sinatra lyrics:
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
Yet, you’re my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?-
This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by Julia Keefer.
-
This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by
-
Budinscak Character Traits Live
Day 2
What I learned doing this assignment:
o A great guideline for your characters – they’ll know what to do and say in any scene.
o In the example from “TRAINING DAY”, so little said, so much inferred.
o Interesting way to ensure dialog is necessary.
Characters:
Jack – Uncle
Slick/street smart
Selfish
Condescending
Evasive
Puck – Nephew
Nerdy
Insecure
Devious
Intimidated
Sal – Nephew
Sneaky
Smartass
Manipulative
Bully
Setup:
It’s the beginning of Act 2. The Cadillac cruises up a pot-hole infested driveway and comes to a halt in the parking lot of the Platinum Restaurant, a rundown, greasy-spoon.
INT. CADILLAC – DAY
Jack and the boys hungrily stare at the dump of a restaurant.
SAL
I’m starving. Puck, you?
PUCK
Hungry yeah, but …
JACK
We ain’t eating here.
SAL
Why? Puck and I need food. Right, Puck?
JACK
I don’t think so, young-lets. I don’t trust this place.
SAL
What makes you say that, the ripped awning?
PUCK
Or is it the general malaise of the facility?
Both Jack and Sal, turn to Puck and stare. Jack turns up his nose and mouths ‘malaise, wow’.
JACK
Puck, you want to talk so Sal and I can understand?
PUCK
Why don’t you want to eat here, Uncle Jack? What is it?
SAL
Yeah, I need to know, too.
Jack’s gaze travels from each nephew, to the restaurant and back.
JACK
The same reason you give a woman in a bar the horse test?
PUCK
What’s the horse test?
Sal leans closer to his uncle – he doesn’t want to miss a thing.
JACK
It’s the reason we’re leaving. It ain’t clean.
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT – CONTINUOUS
The Caddy’s engine revs and begins to move…
SAL (OS)
Stop!
INT. CADILLAC – CONTINUOUS
Jack slams on the brakes, it sends the nephews flying into the back of the front seats. A smirk creases Jack’s face – hope it didn’t hurt too much.
JACK
Sorry about that.
PUCK
OW! You did that on purpose.
SAL
Don’t be mean to Puck.
JACK
One more time, sorry.
PUCK
Okay. Now what’s the horse test?
JACK
It’s how to determine if a horse is clean, you know, healthy.
SAL
Huh?
JACK
If you want to know if a horse is clean, check its shoes and teeth. If the shoes and teeth are clean, the horse is clean.
Jack watches Puck and Sal turn to one another – what?
JACK
Ripped awning, dirty windows, shitty driveway, box truck in the parking lot. Even the starving bypass this place.
PUCK
What has that got to do with a woman in bar?
Sal’s snicker draws looks from Puck and Jack.
JACK
Care to elaborate, Sal?
SAL
Sure. Yeah, it means… um… if her teeth are like her shoes, she’s got horse breath, right? What does it mean, Uncle Jack?
JACK
It means we’re getting the hell out of here.
PUCK
What about a woman in a bar?
JACK
That’s the story for another day. Boys, count it down.
PUCK AND SAL
Three, two, one … go!
EXT. RESTAURANT PARKING LOT – CONTINUOUS
The Cadillac’s engine revs and the car fishtails out of the parking lot.
-
PS 80 Michelle Damis Character Traits Live!
What I learned doing this assignment How much it helps to keep things simple and just try to do the process one step at a time.
Nina — Daughter
Moody
Wounded
Impatient
Suspicious
Marin — Mother
Articulate
Strategic
Meticulous
Guilty
Jim — Father
Accessible
Loyal
Generous
Nostalgic
The 3 are having a dinner to celebrate Nina’s new job. She did not want her mother to go and planned on her staying at home to hand out candy. But Osgood foiled her plans. She got her mom back by taking her to a nice restaurant-telling her it was fine she had her costume on.
INT. FANCY RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Nina and her costumed parents are seated in a corner table near the back of the restaurant, “shunned” for sure.
Jim is making the best of it and acting like Dracula at every opportunity.
Marin on the other hand cannot make herself any smaller.
Nina still irritated with Osgood takes it out on her mother.
NINA
Hey, Mom. Isn’t that your old
boss?
Nina knows it isn’t, she just enjoys watching her mother squirm.
Marin doesn’t take the bait nor blink an eye.
MARIN
I doubt it, I’m sure he is out with his kids tonight.
NINA
That’s right. He’s like half your age right? How many kids does he have?
Nina is really being cruel. Jim intervenes, changing subjects.
JIM
That was so nice of Ozy to offer to hand out the candy tonight wasn’t it?
MARIN
Yes, very generous of him.
Nina makes a snarly face.
NINA
Generous? (eye roll) More like manipulative.
JIM
(clueless) Manipulative?
NINA
I don’t trust him.
JIM
Honey, you don’t even know him.
NINA
I wasn’t going to say anything. But I ran into him the other night at the bar. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him around.
MARIN
That’s not a crime, I would know.
Trying to be funny-it’s not working.
NINA
(to Marin) Ha – Ha…(to both) You know what he said to me? He tried to tell me that you guys were just trying to get rid of me.
Jim spits water all over the table and starts choking. Marin doesn’t miss a beat and starts tending to Jim, ignoring Nina.
-
Elizabeth’s Character Traits Live!
What I learned: super helpful to have these traits on the wall in front of me at all times…
Ed – retired psychiatrist
*Responsible (Works, ALA FREUD’s “Love & Work”) <div>
*Avoidant of personal intimacy- restless as a consequence
*Caring
* Connecting (of others)
Grace – conflicted fiancee of…
*Hard working (over-Works-ALA Freud) </div><div>
*Playful/Joyful (what Freud forgot)
*Enthusiastic/exuberant
*Magical Thinking (If I make it Real, it will disappear)
…Mike – Grace’s loving but marijuana-addicted/unemployed/ADHD fiancé
*Loves -ALA Freud (simply) </div><div>
*Spins things positive (salesman)
*Fun/plays(what FREUD forgot)
*Impulsive/distractible/addictive—unable to Work
Grace and Mike love each other and their two children, but fight a lot and haven’t been able to tie the knot because of their Resistances—per Freud (“issues,” from character traits above). Ed has lived a life Resistant to intimacy in personal (family/love) relationships, who is Called in this Call scene to join a family/find love, when his caring/responsible/work traits and Grace’s uncanny resemblance to his life’s only love (Susan) reel him in…</div><div>
17. EXT.GREENWOOD MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY – BUS STOP -SAME
Ed flags down, boards a bus. At the front of the aisle, he
Freezes as, (with us) he recognizes: the hair, face. Even the coat of the young woman (circa 1945) on Ed’s alter.
In the third row, aisle-side behind two empty seats, is GRACE, 32. Truly Susan’s doppelgänger. Beside her is—
MICHAEL, 34 (MIKE to everyone else), Grace’s long-time fiancé. Their son, KRISTIAN, 2, bounces on Mike’s lap.
GRACE
(To Mike)
It’s everything at the theater. Then Adam’s homework and…
(Silly face to Kristian)
Kristian, can you say Mama? Maaa-maaaa?
The toddler giggles.
Grace smiles at Kristian as, to Mike—
GRACE
…everything Kristian needs. And everyone needs dinner. EVERY night!
MIKE
Damn that lasagna was good!
Grace raises her voice—please be a parent—
GRACE
Michael! Words!
MIKE
(To Kristian, without a missed beat)
MAMA, that lasagna was good. Mama. Kristian. Can you say, Maaaamaaaa? Maaaaa—
The bus turns and Ed grabs a rail as he continues to just stare at Grace. Which—
Mike notices. Zero malice for Ed, as—
MIKE
Gorgeous, isn’t she? Super hot. I mean, in bed—
Grace interrupts, aghast—
GRACE
Michael!
Ed, red as the light the bus slows for, is pulled forward.
When it turns green and the bus lurches, Ed loses balance. Gets
Tossed back, into the first seat. As behind him—
GRACE
I can’t believe you just said that.
(To Ed)
Oh, Sir, are you okay?
Ed grumbles—fine.
MIKE
Truth!
(To Ed)
Glad you’re okay, sir.
(To Grace)
Last night’s bubble “bath”…
Kristian giggles.
GRACE
Oh, God. I forgot to clean that up! What if Adam sees?
Ed pulls his raincoat tighter. Scrunches down—why him? As—
Mike relishes the memory-
MIKE
Holy, holy.
(And)
What if Adam sees?
GRACE
(Frustrated)
Do you have it in you to help me?
MIKE
What?
GRACE
I mean, it’s like I have to—
MIKE
(Interrupts)
After the wedding, I promise.
GRACE
Shhhh! Don’t say that!
MIKE
(Been here before)
Grace.
GRACE
You’ll jinx it!
Mike groans. This time, he doesn’t want to play—
MIKE
I was going to wait to tell you. But I have an interview scheduled. For after the wedding. And then—
GRACE
Aggggggghh! I just said!
MIKE
I’m getting a job! Soon as we’re married. Like you SAID.
(Off her horrified face)
What?
Those Voldemort-words—
GRACE
(Whispers)
I mean it. Jinx—
MIKE
(Finally too annoyed)
What does that even mean?
(Louder)
Jinx. Jinx. It’s just a damn word. Like Mama. Like damn.
KRISTIAN
Daaaaaa
GRACE
(Desperate)
Michael!
(To Kristian)
Dada said Dada. Dada. Dada.
KRISTIAN
Daaaaaaammmm
Kristian flashes a Cheshire-cat grin.
GRACE
OhmyGod!
MIKE
Grace this isn’t rational. It’s superstitious. It’s crazy!
The impatience in his voice—Kristian starts to cry and—
Mike immediately moves his son to Grace’s lap and—
Practically stands up-if only there were somewhere to go.
But there’s not. Mike sits back down.
MIKE
Come on, guys. Seriously?
Now Grace starts to cry. Which makes Kristian cry harder—and Michael instantly apologetic.
MIKE
Oh, I didn’t mean—. Grace, come on!
GRACE
(Sobs)
You—never—
MICHAEL
(Interrupts)
Ok, I’m sorry. Sorrysorrysorry!
GRACE
You just—don’t—
Interrupts again. Directed at both Grace and Kristian—
MICHAEL
Shhhhhhhh. It’s okay. Kay, kay.
GRACE
(Sobs)
It is not okay. Those words! And what I need is for you to—
MICHAEL
(Clearly his interpersonal style—)
I know. Exactly! I am going to! Get another job. Just like you said.
GRACE
No! I mean, not now. Now, I need—
It really isn’t in him, to not interrupt—
MIKE
It’ll be good. I got a great lead. And soon as the wedding—
GRACE
(Wits’ end)
Mike!
Ed turns around. Psychological distress in anyone, but, a woman who looks exactly like Susan! Ed can’t help but—
ED
(Professional firmness)
Listen to her!
Mike’s spine goes insta-straight. Years of scoldings in primary school—
MIKE
(To Ed)
What? To Grace?
ED
Let her finish. Listen to her.
Mike’s tongue pokes at his cheek as he genuinely thinks. But, like the instructions in a physics lab—
MIKE
(To Grace)
I don’t listen?
Grace nods—you don’t.
Kristian nods, too.
A light bulb. The part of physics Mike liked—
MIKE
Hmmm. Okay. Yeah, I get it. I’ll listen. What do you want to say?
KRISTIAN
Mmmmmmaaaaaaa
GRACE AND MIKE
(Instantly refocused)
Mama! Good, Kristian, good!
KRISTIAN
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
GRACE
Just don’t say the ‘m’ or the ‘w’ words. Say, ‘day.’ We’ll call it a ‘day.’
As his parents are all empathic and into each other, Kristian really hollers. All sorts of noises
MIKE
Whatever you want, honey. I’m just so glad we’re—having a day.
Like they’ve both, suddenly remembered—
GRACE
(To Ed)
Thank you, sir.
MIKE
Yeah, you must be a marriage therapist.
“We totally Love You” smiles from them both as Ed nods.
Turns away. Oh, my God.
</div>
-
Rob Bertrand Character Traits Live
What I learned: I learned to turn up the volume and let loose with my character traits.
Annie Andrews – Protagonist
Depressed
Sarcastic
Angry
SuperiorJack Andrews – Supporting Character
Haunted
Foul Mouthed
Traditional
ProtectiveINT. HEAD OFFICE – HIGH SCHOOL – MORNING
They call it rush hour; the last few minutes before the morning bell. A steady flow of students and parents shuffle in and out.
The phone rings off the hook, as the Front Desk Aide fights with a group of unruly boys.
Amidst the chaos, sits Annie and Jack. Side by side, but they couldn’t be any farther apart. Both stare at a door marked: GUIDANCE COUNSELOR. Both want to be elsewhere.
Behind the door, the unmistakable sound of an argument.
JOCELYN (O.S.)
(angry)
Oh…sure! Side with the fascist!BECKY (O.S.)
Shall I call your dad? Is that what you want!?JOCELYN (O.S.)
(screams)
I want you to remember, you’re not my mom!The door BURSTS open to reveal JOCELYN WILCOX, 17. Professional new kid. Her pink hair, nose ring and punk t-shirt scream teenage rebel. Her current attitude: Fuck you.
For Annie, it’s love at first site.
BECKY
That’s it, young lady! I’m calling…JOCELYN
Do whatever the fuck you want, Becky. I’m outta here…Jocelyn catches Annie staring and winks as she slides on a pair of sunglasses. She storms off, as her Step-mom chases after her.
In the doorway, stands ROBIN WILKES, 50s, overworked and underpaid. Guidance Counselor extraordinaire. She wears years of experience on her denim vested shoulders.
ROBIN
Uh…yeah…sorry to keep you waiting. Please, come in.Annie and Jack both sigh.
INT. ROBIN’S OFFICE – HIGH SCHOOL – MORNING
Certificates and awards line the wall, along with family photos that haven’t been updated in a while. Important looking books line a cheap bookshelf.
Robin, sits at her desk, behind a complicated mess of paperwork. A large coffee mug reads: World’s Okayest Guidance Counselor.
Annie and Jack sit far apart. Annie, focused on a polaroid collage of former students.
ROBIN
Yes…uh…Robin checks the name on her file.
ROBIN (CONTINUED)
Mr. Andrew’s, I’ve invited you here to talk about Annie’s….future at John F. Kennedy High.Annie rolls her eyes.
ANNIE
Do I have to be here for this?ROBIN
I’d like you to be a part of the conversation, Annie. Your voice is important!ANNIE
Like I get a say in any of this.JACK
Let her talk, Annie.ROBIN
Mr. Andrew’s, I know that your family has suffered an immeasurable loss.JACK
Jack. Call me Jack.ROBIN
Okay. Jack. I’m very sorry. You’ve been through a lot.JACK
Thank you.ROBIN
In a previous meeting with me, Annie made a comment that her family has become…She checks her notes again.
ROBIN (CONTINUED)
Absolutely miserable.Annie shoots her a look of disgust.
ANNIE
That’s not what I said! God! I said I my family has always been miserable.Jack shoots Annie a sharp look.
JACK
You told a stranger that your family is miserable? Why the fuck would you do that?ANNIE
(angry)
I don’t know? Maybe because you dumped Jessica and I off with Grandma and Grandpa and disappeared for six months?Jack looks away embarrassed. His eyes haunted with memory.
JACK
I…I had to figure out some things out.ANNIE
It would’ve been nice to get a phone call!JACK
(angry)
Oh poor you! Life’s so fucking hard…Did you have a roof over your head? Did you have food on your plate? Did Grandpa beat you!?Tension is escalating. Robin steps in to redirect the conversation.
ROBIN
Let’s not get off track here, guys…ANNIE
See? Every time I try and talk to him, he jumps up on that holy cross of bullshit! Like you’re somehow better than me…ROBIN
As you know, the school made an exception and allowed Annie to move to online school. It’s been seven months…in that time, Annie’s grades have slipped from a four point oh grade point average, down to a two point five.JACK
(shocked)
What?ANNIE
Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it under control. I’ll get them up before the end of the year.ROBIN
No one is judging you, Annie.JACK
I am. I’m judging.ANNIE
(angry)
Well, excuse me…but I don’t give a shit what you think, okay? I’m an adult in three months, I won’t be your problem anymore!JACK
Well for those three months–ROBIN
–I think it’s time that Annie came back to the live classroom. I think she could really benefit from real live social interaction.ANNIE
(laughs)
Fuck that! I’m staying at home.JACK
Annie…can’t you just be normal and go to real school, like everyone else?Annie shakes her head, insulted and ready to explode.
ANNIE
If I could be normal, then trust me, I would! But I’m not coming back to this hell hole.JACK
I think Mrs. Wilkes is right. You barely eat. You never leave the house. You’re like a ghost I see in passing…I think you do need some social inter–ANNIE
–I’m going on a date this Friday!Jack is caught off guard. Robin’s eyes light up with excitement.
ROBIN
Oh! Wow! That’s wonderful, Annie!JACK
Hmm. With who?ANNIE
With a boy I met online. His name is Danny.JACK
Online?Annie’s eyes fill with emotion. Tears begin to fall and when she speaks her voice waivers.
ANNIE
Please. Please don’t send me back. I just…I just don’t think I’m ready. The kids here….The kids are so brutal. If…if…one kid says something about my…about my…mom…I don’t think I could…keep it together!Robin feels for her, pushes a box of tissue closer to Annie. Annie pulls a few and dabs her eyes.
ROBIN
Alright…We’ll continue with the online school, for now. But Annie, I need you to reengage. Let’s get those grades up. You and I both know you can do it.Annie cries even harder.
ANNIE
I will. I swear!JACK
I’ll make sure to check in more at home.Robin claps while checking the clock.
ROBIN
This! This is good. See what a little communication can do? I love it.Jack gives a fake smile.
ROBIN
I’m sorry, I do have another family coming in. But…let’s do this. Annie, I want to meet with you every…let’s say…Monday, at nine. That way we can talk. Chart your progress.Annie buries her face in her hands, crying hard into her palms.
JACK
I’ll make sure she’s there. Thank you for your time.ROBIN
Of course. We all want what’s best for Annie.Annie stands up and leaves in a huff.
INT. HEAD OFFICE – HIGH SCHOOL – MORNING
The counselor door flies open. As Annie emerges, her sad and tearful face turns to a look of mocking brilliance. She got what she wanted.
CUT TO:
-
Janeen’s Character Traits Live!
What I learned doing this assignment is having the list at the ready makes it easier to elevate characterization in dialogue.
CHARACTRERS:
Morgan Day – Trophy Wife/Fashionista:
Insecure
Curious
Perfectionist
Bold under Pressure
Gavin Day – Brilliant Author:
Detached
Domineering
Proud
Craves Intimacy
Setup: Morgan is trying intentional medicine with the goal of using it to help abused women. Gavin is worried she will run afoul of the restraining order a disgruntled husband has against her and is concerned for her safety — and notoriety.
SCENE
INT. MORGAN’S HOME – LATER
MORGAN is watching an intentional medicine training video. When it finishes, she tries the technique on herself.
She writes on an index card: Increased confidence, Decreased Fear, Perfect Skin, Resilience
Gavin, sitting on his lush leather sofa, glances at her periodically, smiles indulgently and goes back to his reading.
Morgan has a printed “Instruction” sheet and she steps through it
Time passes.
Morgan clinks her finger cymbals, takes a cleansing breath and smiles to herself.
Gavin looks over at the sound of the cymbals, registers satisfaction when he sees her stretch lithely, caressing the arm of his chair in anticipation.
Morgan turns, catches him watching her and joins him on the sofa, snuggling under his arm.
His voice is colder and more accusatory than he intended.
GAVIN
You’re been spending a lot of time at your computer lately.
Morgan quickly looks at his face, looks down again.
MORGAN
I’m learning some new techniques that help women develop more courage. Become empowered.
Gavin strokes her hair, her shoulder, like stroking a cat.
GAVIN
Do you feel you lack courage?
Morgan stiffens a little.
MORGAN
No, not when it counts.
Gavin’s caressing stops.
MORGAN
Mostly, I’m learning it so I can help the women at the shelter.
She hesitates.
MORGAN (CONT’D)
And Amber Daniels. I’m worried about her.
Gavin is pompous, dictatorial, addressing a naughty child.
GAVIN
We’ve talked about this. I don’t want you interfering.
Morgan turns to look him full in the face, stony.
GAVIN
Daniels is dangerous and I don’t want you getting in trouble with the law. It’s unseemly.
He strokes her hair again.
GAVIN (CONT’D)
And I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.
He moves toward her for a kiss, but she rises from the sofa before he gets close.
MORGAN
The women at the shelter need support and I intend to give it. From a safe distance. Your publisher won’t see my name in the paper again.
She bends to plant a prim kiss on his cheek and then leaves the room, not looking back.
Gavin stares after her, sadness creeping over his face, suddenly older, more alone.
-
Pablo’s Character Traits Live
What I learned: I learned that this is not easy. And I’m not confident that I did the assignment all that well. But I wrote with the intention of revealing traits through dialogue. I’ll just have to keep practicing.
IRMA
Character Traits: religious, loving, sensible, DEFIANT
ANTONIO
Character Traits: Bold, arrogant, unruly, IN DENIAL
Irma and Antonio sit by the fire with Andres sleeps. Lightning cracks on a rainless night.
IRMA: God help us.
ANTONIO: Pssh.
IRMA: Well, Lord knows you won’t.
ANTONIO: God hasn’t been much help either.
IRMA: Watch your mouth. The good lord gave us life and all that great things that come with it.
ANTONIO: Right. Because this, all this, is so great.
He opens his arms towards the desert, like Moses parting the Red Sea.
IRMA: You have your two legs to walk and your two eyes to see, don’t you.
ANTONIO: My legs hurt. And my eyes? Well, I’d say the view is nice if it wasn’t for the buzzards.
IRMA: You know, we could have had plane tickets and you’d just complain about the inflight movie.
ANTONIO: They play movies on the plane?
IRMA: So I’ve heard.
ANTONIO: You see? You just want to be a gringo. Flying in airplanes. Ordering champagne.
IRMA: Is that what you think?
Antonio just shrugs and nods, convinced he’s figured it out.
IRMA: I’m doing this for you.
ANTONIO: I never wanted this.
IRMA: You don’t know what you want.
ANTONIO: How the hell would you know what I want? You never even ask me.
Beat.
IRMA: I know that you want to stay in the barrio. With your friends.
ANTONIO: I don’t give a shit about the barrio.
IRMA: Antonio–
ANTONIO: I don’t give a shit!
IRMA: Antonio!
ANTONIO: I never planned on staying in the Villa. I wanted to work my way out. I wanted to get a job and save up and buy a car and a house and… a pool.
Irma chuckles which causes her son to clenched his teeth.
ANTONIO: I’m being serious! I’ve asked you countless times if I could get a job. I’m old enough.
IRMA: You can get a job when you are done with your primary school. But only then.
ANTONIO: Mama. I have class tomorrow. You just pulled me out of school.
Irma bites her lip.
ANTONIO: Am I supposed to just pick up where I left off in Texas? I don’t even know English.
Irma tilts her head.
IRMA: (in English) Yes you do.
ANTONIO: Not enough.
IRMA: You know plenty.
ANTONIO: Mama. Why are we running? Sapo offered us work.
Irma stiffens.
IRMA: He offered you a job? You spoke with Sapo?
ANTONIO: Mama, Sapo offers everyone a job.
IRMA: Sapo is a snake.
-
Jodi’s Character Traits Live! – Day 2
Try and be precise by having dialogue come from the character’s traits. It makes characters clearer and actors will have an easier time pinpointing how to portray them.
PAM KARRAS – Gubernatorial challenger
Tenacious
Compassionate
Logical
Aggressive
Chad Babbitt – Governor
Hypocrite
Chauvinist
Short tempered
Overly Confident
SAM LEVIN – Show Host
Appeasing
Appealing
Jovial
Vacuous
Pam’s informal local televised debate with the Governor is moderated by a television host.
INT. TELEVISION STATION SET – DAY
The set looks very informal with a coffee table, a couch and one chair. Pam sits on one edge of the couch, and the Governor sits at the opposite end. Sam is seated in the chair such as a moderator would. Pam is tense and eating nuts throughout the conversation, from the snack tray in front of her. The Governor looks completely at ease and commands his space.
SAM: Welcome to the Coffee Klatsch. Thank you studio audience and thank you my guests for being here today. We have Governor Babbitt and Pam Karras, the Governors challenger with us. Let’s get right to the matters at hand, shall we?
PAM: I’d love to Sam.
The Governor nods in agreement.
SAM: The hot topic has been the SB8 challenge. What say you? Let’s start with the Governor.
GOVERNOR: It’s very clear, our Legislature created a ban on abortion after six weeks, when a heartbeat can be detected.
PAM: That’s not a heartbeat being detected. It is a scientific fact that what is being detected is a cluster of cells that emits electrical signals.
SAM: So, no heartbeat is heard.
PAM: No. A heart has four chambers with valves–
GOVERNOR: Little lady, let’s stick to the debate and leave the heart to the professionals.
PAM: It doesn’t take a rocket Scientist to know when–
GOVERNOR: Mrs. Karras, are you a medical professional?
PAM: It doesn’t take a medical professional to know that the valves–
GOVERNOR: This is utter nonsense.
The Governor turns to Sam.
GOVERNOR (cont.): Are you gonna let her prattle on like this?
SAM: Oh, a fiery but ‘friendly’ debate here. Let’s let her finish her ‘prattling’ and then you’ll have a chance to respond your Governorship.
Sam is clearly nervous and trying to appease the Governor. Pam looks at Sam disapprovingly for his remark.
PAM: Thank you Sam. As, I was saying, the valves allow blood to collect and then be pumped out to the body which can be seen in the second trimester around 16 to 18 weeks. Not 6 weeks. Even at this point, the heart relies on other organ systems to be fully functioning.
GOVERNOR: That is highly debatable. And we clearly know that a heartbeat is heard at 6 weeks.
PAM: Again, that’s not a heartbeat. It’s electrical activity, not from the opening and closing of valves, as is true for a fully formed and functioning heart. Ultrasounds aren’t usually conducted until the second trimester to identify any cardiovascular malfunctions. Just in this state are ultrasounds mandated at six weeks… by your male majority legislative demands, I will add.
GOVERNOR: Regardless of your opinion we just want to preserve life.
PAM: Oh, preserve life is it? That’s your propaganda? This state has the highest execution rates in the nation. 572 executed since 1982. Three in 2021. 199 on death row as we speak with one woman in particular who stabbed to death her children that she didn’t want. So, Governor do you want to put more innocent children in harms way since now you’re forcing women to have children they don’t want? By the way, most all of these executions were by ‘pro-life’ Governors. Unbelievable hypocrisy!
Pam shakes her head, shameful. Sam looks as if the conversation went off the rails.
GOVERNOR: Again, I think–
Pam wasn’t finished.
PAM: You can’t pick and choose, no in between! You might not like what they do, cold blooded killers, yes, but their valves are pumping blood throughout their system. They have beating hearts that would be detected on an ultrasound. And you do know the state has executed people proven innocent after the fact.
GOVERNOR: Oh, you bleeding heart liberals will be the death of us. Your burgeoning deficits.
PAM: And this state has decided through costly jurisprudence, by tax payers of course, that the death penalty is important enough to continue. So, how can you ban women from having abortions to supposedly save a heart beat? Oh, burgeoning deficits, you don’t want to get me started on the big government you have created with the astronomical costs now involved in paying for these embryos you insist on being born to have a life, not without immense inequities of course, financial burdens and socioeconomic struggles. They will not have the privilege, power and control you and classes like you enjoy.
GOVERNOR: I think we should talk about something else now. I’m sure our viewers are getting bored with all this hyperbole.
PAM: The only hyperbole being spewed is your excuse to control women’s bodies. Let’s speak truth to power here. You white male legislatures are so scared women and minorities are going to take over you ‘must’ control who you can. So, we women must be marginalized. And this is how you’re systematically going to do it.
Sam is sweating, he looks nervous.
GOVERNOR: How is it that a woman like you is married?
A negative reaction is heard in the audience.
GOVERNOR (cont.): No, seriously, doesn’t she sound like a man-hater to you? Looking for trouble.
PAM: (chuckles) Governor, you don’t bother me. This law is clearly an attack on women. It’s about controlling a woman’s right to choose. It is also unconstitutional!
Cheers, whoops and hollers are heard in the studio audience. Which Pam responds to. She rises and speaks to them.
PAM (cont.) Hell, what does the man care, he doesn’t have to skirt any responsibility! And you can best believe that if men could get pregnant ABORTION WOULD BE A SACRAMENT!
More women are cheering. Sam stands with Pam trying to gently guide her back seated. She looks at the Governor.
PAM: Clearly with the majority not wanting Roe v. Wade overturned and do not agree with a ban on abortion after a heartbeat is detected, who are you representing? Certainly not the majority. Governor Babbitt, this is a democracy, the majority rules, not your irrelevant archaic relics in the legislature imposing their own beliefs onto the citizens of this state, this is not a dictatorship!
GOVERNOR: Well, Ms. Snippybritches, ‘He’ who has the power wins!
PAM: (angry) If a woman’s right to choose is stripped of it’s constitutional protection I think we need to start taking away your guns! No choice, guns gone…illegal! I bet your pro-life people wouldn’t like that now would they!?
It’s getting out of control. Sam doesn’t know what to do. Boos are coming from the audience.
GOVERNOR: You try to take my guns away you’ll see a civil war like non been fought before!
Whoops and hollers and agreement are heard, again.
PAM: Yep, you gun lovers would scream bloody murder from the rooftops! Wouldn’t you!? Such as you’re doing right now. We can go down that road! OR how about you don’t tread on my civil rights or any other woman’s right to choose, and I won’t choose to tread on your civil rights, your guns!
As Pam says this the stage manager gives Sam the signal to wrap it up. He looks like a deer in headlights. Sweat is on his brow.
SAM: Oh, such stimulating conversation. Oh, my! Well (beat), that’s all we have for today friends, visit us tomorrow, our guest will be Mike Maynard with animal control from Bezar county. Until then folks, Good bye.
With that the three stand, fake grins light up the screen.
-
Armand Character Traits Live!
What I learned…
THREE KEYS TO WELL PRONOUNCED CHARACTER TRAITS
1. They represent the CORE of that character.
2. They are precise.
3. One or more traits is demonstrated well in each line of dialogue.
ASSIGNMENT
In this scene in Act 1, Tyler the ghost learns what the living think about him and the night he was murdered 20 wears ago. He’s with Lex, a goth teen who is obsessed with true crime.
TYLER
Cocky
Funny
Scared
Romantic
LEX
Brave
Sarcastic
Acts Superior
INT. MANOR – NIGHT
Lex confronts Tyler through her EVP app.
LEX
Announce yourself, spirit.
TYLER
(unimpressed)
Chill out, Wednesday Adams.
Lex amps up the levels on the EVP app, it sends a shockwave to Tyler.
TYLER
Ouch… Cut that out. I’m Tyler.
LEX
Tyler… Berkeley?
TYLER
The one and only.
LEX
I can’t believe it’s you. You… you’re a hero.
TYLER
I am?
LEX
A lot of people think so.
TYLER
Cool.
LEX
They said you sacrificed yourself to save the woman you love.
TYLER
Maddie…
LEX
But I know the truth.
TYLER
What happened to Maddie? — What truth?
LEX
I know why you’re trapped in the afterlife.
TYLER
What happened to Maddie?
LEX
No one knows.
TYLER
She’s alive?
LEX
She disappeared ten years ago. They said the killer got her.
Tyler gasps in disbelief.
-
Emmanuel’s Character Trait Live!
What I learned doing this assignment is screenwriters often play it safe when writing a character’s dialogue, instead of being bold, thinking outside the box. It is easier to go back and scale down dialogue if required.
Log in to reply.